Dubai, UAE— Some 27 million taxi rides were undertaken in Dubai in the first three months of 2023, up one million from the same period last year.
According to the Roads and Transport Authority, the latest figures underscored the sector’s “remarkable growth” over the past five years.
The increase in journeys comes amid a population boom in Dubai and a concerted push by authorities to encourage the use of mass transport to help cut congestion and emissions.
The number of taxi rides recorded in the first quarter of the year was the largest since 2019, before the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RTA said 27.3 million trips were taken from January to the end of March, up from 26 million last year.
The statistics show 19.2 million journeys were made in the same period in 2021, 23.3 million in 2020 and 26.1 million in 2019.
“Dubai’s taxi sector has seen a remarkable growth trajectory over the past five years. In the first quarter of this year, the number of taxi trips amounted to a staggering 27.3 million, showcasing a consistent upward trend when compared to the corresponding periods in previous years. The numbers were 26 million trips in 2022, 19.2 million trips in 2021, 23.3 million trips in 2020, and 26.1 million trips in 2019,” said Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development, Public Transport Agency, RTA.
“This sector experienced an unprecedented surge, marking its highest growth in recent years, particularly e-hail services, smart rental services, and Hala Taxi service. The analysis of figures and ratios of the sector during the first quarter of 2023 reflects the thriving economy of Dubai, which cemented its standing as a prominent global hub for investment and tourism,” Shakri added.