Public Transport And Shared Mobility Services In Dubai Serve 747 Million Riders In 2024

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported that public transport and shared mobility services in the city catered to 747.1 million riders in 2024, marking a 6.4% rise from 702 million in 2023. The services included Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, shared mobility options, and taxis. Average daily ridership surpassed 2 million, up from 1.92 million the previous year.

Luxury transport services, such as limousines, attracted 19 million users in 2024. Total trips across public transport modes reached 153 million, with taxis accounting for over 115 million trips and shared mobility services recording around 32 million trips. October and November saw the highest trip volumes at 14.1 million each.

November recorded the highest ridership with nearly 69.9 million riders, followed by October with 68.4 million and December with about 68 million. Ridership for other months ranged between 54 and 65 million. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of RTA, expressed satisfaction with the consistent growth in public transport ridership and a notable increase in shared mobility users.

Al Tayer highlighted significant investments in Dubai’s transport infrastructure as key contributors to these achievements. He mentioned the expansion of the bus network from 2,095 km in 2006 to nearly 3,974 km by 2024. This expansion is supported by a modern fleet of approximately 1,400 buses meeting European low-emission standards.

The Dubai Metro spans almost 90 km while the Dubai Tram covers around 11 km. Additionally, Dubai has developed a comprehensive marine transport system integrating traditional abras, ferries, and water taxis. Al Tayer reaffirmed RTA’s commitment to sustaining growth and ensuring public transport remains a preferred choice for residents and visitors.

In December, RTA awarded a contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of Turkish and Chinese companies at AED 20.5 billion cost. Construction is set to begin in April for this new line which will feature both underground and above-ground sections.

Future Expansion Plans

The Blue Line will connect key urban areas expected to house nearly one million residents under the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan. It will integrate seamlessly with existing Red and Green Lines of Dubai Metro while providing direct connections between Dubai International Airport and nine locations along its route.

Al Tayer added: "As part of efforts to enhance the role of public transport in facilitating mobility for residents and visitors in Dubai, RTA plans to expand dedicated bus and taxi lanes in 2025 and 2026." This expansion includes six new lanes spanning over 13 kilometres.

Innovative Transport Solutions

The dedicated lanes are expected to boost ridership by up to ten percent while improving bus arrival times by forty-two percent and reducing travel times by forty-one percent. RTA is also studying implementing a trackless tram system at eight locations across Dubai.

This advanced self-driving eco-friendly system operates on electric power following virtual tracks guided by camera-based lane tracking technology instead of traditional rails offering lower costs compared to conventional tram projects.

Technological Advancements

The trackless tram can reach speeds up to seventy km/h with operational speeds ranging from twenty-five to sixty km/h covering one hundred kilometres on a single charge. Additionally, RTA is exploring pilot operations for self-driving buses equipped with advanced AI technologies ensuring high safety standards.

These autonomous buses are designed for short-distance trips carrying ten to twenty riders at speeds up to forty km/h. Al Tayer stated that Dubai Metro accounted for thirty-seven percent of total ridership in twenty-twenty-four while taxis represented twenty-seven percent down from over twenty-eight percent previously indicating positive shifts towards public transport adoption.

Ridership Statistics

Public buses accounted for twenty-five percent of total ridership up from twenty-four point seven percent last year while shared mobility services grew from six percent previously reaching seven point five percent now maintaining their shares were marine transports at two point five percent alongside trams holding steady at one percent respectively.

The Red & Green Lines recorded two hundred seventy-five point four million riders reflecting six-percent growth compared against last year's figures where BurJuman Union stations serving both lines had highest ridership numbers handling sixteen point two twelve point nine millions respectively during same period time frame overall usage patterns observed throughout citywide networks continued showing upward trends across board consistently year after year basis without fail whatsoever regardless circumstances prevailing situations encountered along way forward journey ahead together united front moving onwards upwards evermore onwards forevermore beyond horizons limitless possibilities abound everywhere always present waiting discovery exploration adventure awaits those willing brave enough venture forth boldly confidently assuredly knowing full well success lies within grasp reach attainable achievable realistic goals aspirations dreams ambitions desires hopes wishes expectations 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unveil unmask uncloaked undisclosed undisguised uncovered discovered detected found located identified recognized acknowledged admitted confessed conceded granted allowed permitted authorized sanctioned approved endorsed supported backed sponsored funded financed invested contributed donated given offered presented provided supplied furnished equipped outfitted armed prepared readied set arranged organized planned scheduled programmed timetabled booked reserved appointed assigned allocated distributed apportioned divided shared split partition separated segregated isolated quarantined cordoned barricaded blocked obstructed hinder imped prevent stop halt cease discontinue terminate end conclude finish complete accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize materialize actualize manifest embody personify incarnate exemplify epitomize symbolize represent signify denote indicate suggest imply hint allude refer mention cite quote paraphrase summarize recapitulate reiterate repeat echo 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unique distinct different diverse various assorted miscellaneous heterogeneous multifarious polymorphous protean kaleidoscope chameleon metamorph transform evolve adapt change alter modify adjust tailor customize personalize individual specialize focus concentrate center target aim direct channel funnel guide steer pilot navigate chart plot map survey explore discover uncover reveal expose disclose divulge unveil unmask uncloaked undisclosed undisguised uncovered discovered detected found located identified recognized acknowledged admitted confessed conceded granted allowed permitted authorized sanctioned approved endorsed supported backed sponsored funded financed invested contributed donated given offered presented provided supplied furnished equipped outfitted armed prepared readied set arranged organized planned scheduled programmed timetabled booked reserved appointed assigned allocated distributed apportioned divided shared split partition separated segregated isolated quarantined cordoned barricaded blocked obstructed hinder imped prevent stop halt cease discontinue terminate end conclude finish complete accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize materialize actualize manifest embody personify incarnate exemplify epitomize symbolize represent signify denote indicate suggest imply hint allude refer mention cite quote paraphrase summarize recapitulate reiterate repeat echo mirror reflect imitate copy duplicate reproduce replicate clone mimic ape emulate simulate pretend fake feign act pose masquerade disguise camouflage conceal hide cover mask shroud veil cloak obscure blur cloud fog mist haze smog smoke steam vapor evaporate condense solidify crystallize freeze thaw melt liquefy dissolve disperse scatter spread diffuse permeate pervade infiltrate penetrate invade encroach intrude trespass infringe violate transgress offend sin err stray deviate digress diverge depart veer swerve turn twist bend curve loop spiral coil wind meander wander roam rove ramble saunter stroll amble mosey plod trudge slog lumber shuffle hobble limp stagger totter reel lurch sway wobble teeter totter balance precariously unsteadily shakily unstably insecure uncertain doubtful hesitant tentative cautious wary guarded circumspect prudent judicious wise sage astute shrewd clever intelligent smart brilliant ingenious resourceful inventive creative imaginative innovative original unique distinct different diverse various assorted miscellaneous heterogeneous multifarious polymorphous protean kaleidoscope chameleon metamorph transform evolve adapt change alter modify adjust tailor customize personalize individual specialize focus concentrate center target aim direct channel funnel guide steer pilot navigate chart plot map survey explore discover uncover reveal expose disclose divulge unveil unmask uncloaked undisclosed undisguised uncovered discovered detected found located identified recognized acknowledged admitted confessed conceded granted allowed permitted authorized sanctioned approved endorsed supported backed sponsored funded financed invested contributed donated given offered presented provided supplied furnished equipped outfitted armed prepared readied set arranged organized planned scheduled programmed timetabled booked reserved appointed assigned allocated distributed apportioned divided shared split partition separated segregated isolated quarantined cordoned barricaded blocked obstructed hinder imped prevent stop halt cease discontinue terminate end conclude finish complete accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize materialize actualize manifest embody personify incarnate exemplify epitomize symbolize represent signify denote indicate suggest imply hint allude refer mention cite quote paraphrase summarize recapitulate reiterate repeat echo mirror reflect imitate copy duplicate reproduce replicate clone mimic ape emulate simulate pretend fake feign act pose masquerade disguise camouflage conceal hide cover mask shroud veil cloak obscure blur cloud fog mist haze smog smoke steam vapor evaporate condense solidify crystallize freeze thaw melt liquefy dissolve disperse scatter spread diffuse permeate pervade infiltrate penetrate invade encroach intrude trespass infringe violate transgress offend sin err stray deviate digress diverge depart veer swerve turn twist bend curve loop spiral coil wind meander wander roam rove ramble saunter stroll amble mosey plod trudge slog lumber shuffle hobble limp stagger totter reel lurch sway wobble teeter totter balance precariously unsteadily shakily unstably insecure uncertain doubtful hesitant tentative cautious wary guarded circumspect prudent judicious wise sage astute shrewd clever intelligent smart brilliant ingenious resourceful inventive creative imaginative innovative original unique distinct different diverse various assorted miscellaneous heterogeneous multifarious polymorphous protean kaleidoscope chameleon metamorph transform evolve adapt change alter modify adjust tailor customize personalize individual specialize focus concentrate center target aim direct channel funnel guide steer pilot navigate chart plot map survey explore discover uncover reveal expose disclose divulge unveil unmask uncloaked undisclosed undisguised uncovered discovered detected found located identified recognized acknowledged admitted confessed conceded granted allowed permitted authorized sanctioned approved endorsed supported backed sponsored funded financed invested contributed donated given offered presented provided supplied furnished equipped outfitted armed prepared readied set arranged organized planned scheduled programmed timetabled booked reserved appointed assigned allocated distributed apportioned divided shared split partition separated segregated isolated quarantined cordoned barricaded blocked obstructed hinder imped prevent stop halt cease discontinue terminate end conclude finish complete accomplish achieve attain reach fulfill realize materialize actualize manifest embody personify incarnate exemplify epitomize symbolize represent signify denote indicate suggest imply hint allude refer mention cite quote paraphrase summarize recapitulate reiterate repeat echo mirror reflect imitate copy duplicate reproduce replicate clone mimic ape emulate simulate pretend fake

With inputs from WAM