337 million riders used public transport with an average of 1.86 million Daily ridership on average

Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported that in the first half of 2023, nearly 337 million people used public transportation and shared mobility services in Dubai, including the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport modes (abras, ferry, water taxi, and water bus), e-hail rides, smart car rentals, Bus-On-Demand, and taxis (Dubai Taxi and franchise company taxis).

With 304.6 million riders in the first half of 2022, the number is favorable. In the first half of 2023, there were almost 1.86 million daily average riders of public transportation, shared mobility, and taxis, compared to around 1.68 million riders in the first half of 2022.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority said: “Dubai Metro and taxis accounted for the largest ridership share of public transport, shared mobility means and taxis, with 36.5% for Dubai Metro, and 29% for Dubai Taxi, while public buses contributed to 24.5%. March 2023 was the busiest of all months recording about 60 million riders. Ridership in other months ranged from 53 to 58 million riders”.

“Ridership increased by 11% in the first half of 2023 in comparison with the same period in 2022. These results are a significant indicator of the resurgence of Dubai’s economic activity, as well as RTA’s the effective initiatives to encourage residents and visitors to use public transportation and offer diverse mobility options for Dubai’s residents.

“Dubai’s integrated public transport network has now become the backbone of people’s movement around Dubai. The network was successful in coaxing a change and evolution in the community’s culture and attitudes towards using various public transport means,” noted Al Tayer.

Metro Stations

“Dubai Metro ridership on both the Red and Green Lines hit 123.4 million riders in the first half of 2023, with Burjuman and Union stations accounting for the majority of riders. On both the Red and Green Lines, Burjuman Station served 7.25 million riders, whereas Union Station was used by 5.6 million riders. 

“The Red Line’s busiest station Al Rigga served 5.4 million riders, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station with 5.2 million riders, and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station with 4.7 million riders. On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station ranked first in terms of ridership clocking 4.4 million riders, followed by Baniyas Station serving 3.8 million riders ahead of Stadium Station with 3 million riders, and the remaining ridership was distributed among other metro stations,” said Al Tayer.

The Dubai Tram carried 4.2 million passengers in the first half of 2023, public buses carried 83 million passengers, and maritime transportation methods (abras, water buses, water taxis, and ferries) carried 9.1 million passengers.

21 million people were transported using shared mobility options (e-hail, intelligent rental cars, Bus-On-Demand), and 96.2 million people were transported using taxis (Dubai Taxi and franchise businesses).

Integrated Network

“To achieve smooth traffic flow in the emirate RTA’s strategic and executive plans are built on integration of various public and shared transport means. They entail enhancing and broadening the road networks, crossings and public transport modes including the metro, tram, buses, marine transport, first and last-mile mobility means and shared transport.

“The plans also include improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and upgrading technical traffic and transport systems to ensure optimal utilisation and efficiency of the road and public transport network. They also encompass the implementation of policies to limit the public reliance on private vehicles and enhance reliance on other mobility means including public and shared transport,” concluded Al Tayer.