In the first half of 2023, an impressive 337 million riders utilized RTA’s public transportation network in Dubai, signifying a remarkable increase from the 304.6 million riders recorded during the same period in 2022. This substantial 11% growth in ridership was seen as a significant indicator of Dubai’s economic resurgence, attributed to the Roads and Transport Authority’s effective initiatives.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, the surge in figures was a testament to the authority’s efforts in promoting the use of public transportation among both residents and visitors. The integrated public transport network in Dubai has now become the backbone of people’s movement around the city, successfully transforming the community’s culture and attitudes toward using various public transport options. Alongside, RTA has also introduced stricter traffic rules and new fines to ensure smooth flow of traffic helping both personal and public transport users on the road.
Getting back to the public transport report, the statistics revealed that Dubai Metro and taxis were the most popular modes of public transport, contributing 36.5% and 29%, respectively, while public buses accounted for 24.5% of the total ridership. The busiest month was March 2023, recording a remarkable 60 million riders, while the ridership in other months ranged from 53 to 58 million riders.
Passengers On Dubai Metro
- Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines combined transported 123.4 million riders in the first half of 2023.
- Burjuman and Union stations were the most popular, serving 7.25 million and 5.6 million riders, respectively.
- Al Rigga Station on the Red Line was the busiest with 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.
- The Green Line saw Sharaf DG Station leading with 4.4 million riders, followed by Baniyas Station with 3.8 million riders and Stadium Station with 3 million riders.
Passenger On Dubai Tram & Taxis
- Dubai Tram transported 4.2 million riders, while public buses impressively served 83 million riders.
- Marine transport options, including abras, water buses, water taxis, and ferries, carried 9.1 million riders.
- Shared mobility means like e-hail services, smart rental vehicles, and Bus-On-Demand collectively carried 21 million riders.
- Taxis, including Dubai Taxi and franchise companies, were instrumental in transporting 96.2 million riders in the first half of 2023.
Al Tayer emphasized that RTA’s strategic and executive plans focus on integrating various public and shared transport means. The plans encompass an extensive enhancement and expansion of road networks, crossings, and public transport modes, including metro, tram, buses, marine transport, and first and last-mile mobility options.
Furthermore, RTA will also look at improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, upgrading technical traffic and transport systems, and implementing policies to reduce reliance on private vehicles and encourage the use of public and shared transportation. Apart from improving public transportation in Dubai, RTA has introduced a new online service for used vehicle ownership transfer in the UAE making life easier for personal transport users as well.
However, we have all been in situations where we would prefer personal transport and like traveling in our own car to save time. If you are looking to buy a car, here is a list of used cars for sale in the UAE and new cars for sale in the UAE.
