Metro remains the most-used transport mode as daily ridership nears 1.9 million and RTA advances major mobility projects
Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the total number of users of public transport, shared mobility and taxis reached approximately 348.1 million passengers during the first half of 2026, with an average of nearly 1.9 million passengers per day.
The total includes users of the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis and shared mobility services, including ride-hailing vehicles, hourly rental cars and on-demand buses. In addition, luxury transport vehicles (limousines) carried 5.7 million passengers during the same period.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the figures highlight the success of Dubai’s vision of developing an integrated transport system based on sustainability, innovation and seamless connectivity between different modes of transport.
He said the system has strengthened confidence among residents and visitors and helped establish a culture of sustainable mobility across the emirate.
Al Tayer noted that the share of trips made using public transport and shared mobility increased from 6% in 2006 to 22.3% in 2025, reflecting the success of long-term investments and policies aimed at improving quality of life and enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness.
“The RTA is proceeding according to a strategic vision that makes public transport the most efficient and sustainable option for daily commuting and consolidates Dubai’s position as a global model for sustainable mobility,” Al Tayer said.
He highlighted several major projects currently under development, including the 30-kilometre Blue Line of the Dubai Metro, which will feature 14 stations and serve nine key districts expected to accommodate around one million residents under the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.
Al Tayer also noted that the 42-kilometre Gold Line has been approved with an investment of approximately AED34 billion. The project will include 18 stations and become Dubai’s first fully integrated underground metro line, connecting with the existing Red and Green lines as well as Etihad Rail.
The RTA has also begun the phased deployment of 637 new buses, including 40 electric buses, all compliant with Euro 6 low-emission standards. The fleet expansion supports plans to convert Dubai’s public bus fleet to 100% electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050.
Looking ahead, Al Tayer said the RTA has already begun operating self-driving taxis and is preparing to launch commercial air taxi services later this year, alongside progress on the Dubai Loop project.
The Dubai Metro accounted for the largest share of public transport usage during the first half of 2026, representing 39.2% of total passengers. Taxis followed with 25.5%, while public buses represented 24.4%. Together, the three modes accounted for approximately 89% of all passenger journeys.
January recorded the highest monthly ridership with 73.4 million passengers, while passenger numbers during the remaining months ranged between 49 million and 66 million.
Metro ridership on the Red and Green lines reached approximately 136.5 million passengers during the first six months of the year.
Among interchange stations, BurJuman Station recorded the highest usage with 8.4 million passengers, followed by Union Station with 6.5 million passengers.
On the Red Line, Al Rigga Station was the busiest with 6.4 million passengers, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station with 5.2 million passengers and Business Bay Station with 5 million passengers.
On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station ranked first with 4.9 million passengers, followed by Baniyas Station with 3.8 million passengers and Stadium Station with about 3.7 million passengers.
During the first half of 2026, Dubai Tram carried 3.8 million passengers, while public buses transported 85.1 million passengers. Marine transport services recorded 8.1 million passengers.
Shared mobility services, including ride-hailing vehicles, hourly rentals and on-demand buses, carried 25.7 million passengers, while Dubai’s taxi sector recorded 88.9 million passengers.
The RTA said it continues to advance initiatives that enhance integration between public transport, shared mobility services, pedestrian and cycling networks, and smart traffic systems.
These efforts aim to increase the share of trips made using public transport and shared mobility to 25% by 2030, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
