Record 802 million trips: Dubai’s shift to public transport gains momentum

Dubai: Traffic congestion and peak-hour delays are increasingly pushing commuters towards faster and more predictable travel options, with Dubai’s public transport network recording a landmark 802.1 million riders in 2025.

The surge reflects a growing shift away from private car use as residents and visitors opt for metro, buses and shared mobility services to navigate the city more efficiently.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), ridership rose 7.4 per cent compared with 747.1 million riders in 2024. Average daily ridership climbed to 2.2 million, up from 2 million the previous year, highlighting sustained growth across the emirate’s integrated transport system.

October emerged as the busiest month with 72.8 million riders, followed by November at 72.6 million and December at 71.4 million. Passenger volumes during the rest of the year ranged between 61 million and 69 million.

In total, 167.3 million trips were made across public transport, shared mobility and taxis in 2025, including 120 million taxi trips and more than 41 million shared mobility trips. Premium limousine services, not included in the total public transport ridership, served 23.6 million riders, compared with 19.2 million in 2024.

The steady rise across modes highlights Dubai’s evolving mobility landscape, where integrated public transport options are increasingly viewed as the practical alternative to traffic congestion, reinforcing the city’s push towards seamless, sustainable and efficient urban mobility.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the figures demonstrate a long-term change in commuting behaviour.

“Sustained growth in public transport and shared mobility usage across Dubai, which reached 7.4% last year, together with a 30% increase in shared mobility compared with 2024, represents a structural shift in mobility patterns. This progress underscores the success of RTA’s strategic vision to develop an integrated transport system that serves as a fundamental pillar of quality of life and supports economic development across the emirate,” he said.

He added: “These indicators represent the culmination of long-term investments in infrastructure, smart technologies and the integration of various transport modes. Public transport has become a central pillar of sustainable urban planning and a key enabler of city efficiency, strengthening its capacity to accommodate rapid population and economic growth.”

High demand in the final quarter confirmed stable usage levels across the network during peak periods, demonstrating its capacity to accommodate increased demand under consistent operating conditions. December recorded slightly lower levels than October and November due to seasonal travel patterns during the holiday period.

Al Tayer noted: “The continued rise in demand across Dubai’s public transport system demonstrates the network’s ability to operate with high efficiency, supported by the seamless integration of metro, tram, buses, marine transport and shared mobility services. The diversity of options caters to daily mobility needs, providing flexible and safe alternatives that serve different user segments.”

He added: “RTA continues to advance an intelligent, sustainable and integrated public transport system by expanding metro, tram and bus networks, enhancing the efficiency of marine transport, and supporting shared mobility solutions. We are also deploying artificial intelligence technologies in data management and in designing the customer journey, in line with Dubai’s future aspirations as a leading global city and reinforcing its position among the world’s best cities to live, work and visit.”

Looking ahead, RTA plans to expand dedicated bus and taxi lanes during 2025 and 2026 by implementing six new corridors extending 13 kilometres, increasing the total length to 20 kilometres.

“These lanes will contribute to a 10% increase in ridership, improve bus on-time performance by 42%, and reduce bus journey times by 41%. We are also studying a trackless tram project across eight locations in Dubai. This advanced, autonomous and environmentally friendly system operates on electric power and uses a virtual track guided by camera-based detection of painted road markings. It offers lower costs and shorter implementation timelines compared with conventional tram systems,” he continued.

“Our strategic goal is to establish public transport as the first choice for mobility in Dubai through continuous service quality enhancement, expanded coverage, stronger integration across modes and improved user services. We are building a flexible, safe and sustainable transport system that keeps pace with rapid population and economic growth while supporting Dubai’s journey towards more seamless and efficient mobility and a higher quality of life for all.”

Dubai Metro accounted for the largest share of users at 37 per cent in 2025, reinforcing its role as the backbone of the public transport network. Taxis represented 26 per cent of total users, down from 27 per cent in 2024 — marking the third consecutive annual decline and signalling a positive shift towards mass transit. Public buses accounted for 25 per cent.

Shared mobility services continued their upward trajectory, increasing from 6.2 per cent in 2023 to 7.5 per cent in 2024 and reaching 9 per cent in 2025. Marine transport modes and Dubai Tram maintained stable shares of 2 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.

Dubai Metro transported 294.7 million riders across the Red and Green lines in 2025, reflecting a 7 per cent increase year-on-year. Public buses carried 197.2 million riders, up 5 per cent.

Marine transport modes served 18.4 million riders, marking a 3 per cent increase, while Dubai Tram carried 9.9 million riders, up 5 per cent.

Shared mobility services recorded the strongest growth, carrying 72.9 million riders — a 30 per cent increase. Taxis transported 209 million riders, up 4 per cent, while premium limousine services rose 22 per cent to 23.6 million riders.