802 Million Riders Used Public Transport, Shared Mobility and Taxis in 2025

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the number of users of public transport and shared mobility services in Dubai — including Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, and marine transport modes comprising abras, ferries and water taxis — in addition to shared mobility options such as app-based vehicles, hourly rental vehicles and on-demand buses, as well as taxis operated by Dubai Taxi Corporation and franchise companies — reached 802.1 million riders in 2025, compared with 747.1 million riders in 2024, marking 7.4% growth.

The average daily ridership reached 2.2 million riders, compared with 2 million riders in 2024. Meanwhile, 23.6 million riders used premium (limousine) transport services “not included in the total public transport ridership”, compared with 19.2 million riders in 2024.

The total number of trips across public transport, shared mobility and taxis during the past year reached 167.3 million trips, including 120 million taxi trips and more than 41 million shared mobility trips.

October and November recorded the highest number of trips, with 15.1 million trips each. October 2025 recorded the highest monthly passenger volume, with 72.8 million riders, followed by November with 72.6 million riders, and December with 71.4 million riders. Passenger numbers during the remaining months ranged between 61 million and 69 million.

High demand levels recorded during the final quarter of the year confirm stable usage levels across the public transport system during peak periods, demonstrating the network’s capacity to accommodate increased demand under consistent operating conditions. December recorded slightly lower levels than October and November, reflecting changes in travel patterns associated with the holiday season and year-end period.

Strategic Vision Success
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “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 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 Operational Efficiency
Al Tayer further added: “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.”

“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.”

“RTA intends to expand dedicated lanes for buses and taxis during 2025 and 2026, including the implementation of six new corridors extending 13 km, increasing the total length of dedicated bus and taxi lanes to 20 km. 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.”

Usage Shares
Dubai Metro constitutes the backbone of Dubai’s public transport system, accounting for the largest share of users across public transport, shared mobility and taxis in 2025 at 37%. Taxis represented 26%, compared with 27% in 2024, marking a decline for the third consecutive year — a positive sign of riders shifting towards public transport. Public buses accounted for 25% of total users.

Shared mobility services recorded sustained growth over the past three years, increasing from 6.2% in 2023 to 7.5% in 2024, and reaching 9% in 2025. Marine transport modes and Dubai Tram maintained stable shares of 2% and 1%, respectively.

This shift reflects continued growth in public transport usage, supported by improved service reliability and stronger integration between metro, buses and shared mobility services, reinforcing the role of the public transport system in meeting the mobility needs of residents and visitors.

The sustained increase in passenger numbers also highlights the impact of ongoing system development and continuous alignment of services with demand, particularly in managing peak demand and enhancing mobility across all public transport modes.

Dubai Metro
Dubai Metro recorded 294.7 million riders across its Red and Green lines in 2025, reflecting a 7% increase compared with 2024.

BurJuman Metro Station — an interchange station serving both lines — and Al Rigga Metro Station accounted for the highest passenger volumes during the year. BurJuman handled 17.8 million riders, an increase of more than 1.5 million compared with the previous year, while Al Rigga recorded 13.8 million riders.

On the Red Line, Union Metro Station recorded the highest ridership with 13.6 million riders, followed by Mall of the Emirates Metro Station with 11.2 million riders, and Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall Metro Station with 10.9 million riders.

On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Metro Station ranked first with 10.5 million riders, followed by Baniyas Square Metro Station with 8.4 million riders, and Stadium Metro Station in third place with 7.5 million riders.

High demand at these stations reflects their operational roles within the network. Some function as key interchange hubs between lines, while others serve major urban, commercial and tourist destinations. Several are also integrated with bus stations and the wider public transport network, enhancing accessibility and supporting daily mobility for residents and visitors.

Ridership
Public buses carried 197.2 million riders last year, reflecting a 5% increase compared with 2024.

Marine transport modes — including abras, water taxis and Dubai Ferry — served 18.4 million riders, marking a 3% increase. Dubai Tram transported 9.9 million riders, up 5% compared with 2024.

Shared mobility services — comprising app-based vehicles, hourly rental vehicles and on-demand buses — carried 72.9 million riders, recording 30% growth.

Taxis in Dubai transported 209 million riders, representing a 4% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, premium (limousine) transport services served 23.6 million riders in 2025, achieving a 22% increase compared with 2024.

This distribution across modes reflects the integration of the public transport system by providing multiple alternatives that cater to different daily travel patterns. Public buses and Dubai Metro primarily serve high-volume daily journeys, while on-demand and premium services complement the network by covering short-distance or specialised trips, enhancing flexibility within a connected mobility network.

It also highlights the system’s ability to accommodate growing demand efficiently within a cohesive operational framework, supporting Dubai’s continued progress towards more seamless mobility and a higher quality of life for residents and visitors.