395 million used public transport in 6 months

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that public transport modes — including Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, and marine transport — along with taxis and shared mobility options such as app-based vehicles, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses, served approximately 395.3 million riders in the first half of 2025.

This represents a 9% increase compared to around 361.2 million riders during the same period in 2024. Average daily ridership reached nearly 2.18 million, up from approximately 1.98 million in the first half of 2024.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “The continued growth in public transport ridership reflects users’ confidence in the system’s efficiency and the quality of services provided across all modes. We remain committed to delivering safe, comfortable, and sustainable mobility solutions for every segment of society.”

He added: “Dubai’s public transport network has undergone a major transformation, driven by advanced infrastructure and a diverse range of transit options that now form the backbone of mobility for residents and visitors across the emirate. As a result, the share of journeys using public transport and shared mobility has increased from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024.”

“We are moving forward with a clear vision to make public transport the preferred choice for daily commuting by smartly expanding transport lines and networks, strengthening connectivity between stations and key destinations, and offering flexible, inclusive mobility solutions,” Al Tayer revealed.

“The Construction of Dubai Metro Blue Line is currently underway. Spanning 30 kilometres and comprising 14 stations, the line will serve nine key districts with a combined estimated population of one million residents, in alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan.”

Al Tayer continued: “Earlier, RTA signed four agreements to procure 637 multi-sized buses compliant with the European low-emission standard ‘Euro 6,’ including 40 electric buses — the largest and first fleet of its kind in the UAE. The buses will be delivered in 2025 and 2026 and will support the geographic expansion of the public bus network across the emirate. They also align with our strategic objective to convert the entire public bus fleet to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050. This month, we completed the development of 16 bus passenger stations and six depots, as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of services provided to all users.”

Al Tayer explained that Dubai Metro and taxis recorded the highest share of ridership in the first half of this year, with the Metro accounting for 36.5% and taxis for 26%. Public buses made up 24% of the total.

He noted that May registered the highest monthly ridership, reaching 68.8 million, while figures for the other months ranged between 61 and 68 million.

“There was a 9% increase in ridership during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024, a key indicator of the recovery in economic activity across the emirate of Dubai, as well as the effectiveness of the RTA’s strategies and initiatives to encourage both residents and visitors to use public transport and to offer diverse mobility options throughout the city,” he said.

“Dubai’s public transport network, with all components operating in full integration, serves as the backbone of mobility across the emirate. It has succeeded in fostering a positive shift in public attitudes toward mass transit across all segments of society,” he added.

The number of Dubai Metro users across both the Red and Green Lines reached approximately 143.9 million riders during the first half of 2025. BurJuman and Al Rigga stations recorded the highest ridership volumes, with BurJuman Station (serving both the Red and Green Lines) registering 8.6 million riders, followed by Al Rigga Station with 6.8 million.