Dubai public transport records 348 million riders in first half of 2026
Average daily journeys reach nearly 1.9 million across the emirate
Dubai's public transport network, shared mobility services and taxis carried around 348.1 million riders during the first half of 2026, with average daily ridership reaching nearly 1.9 million, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The figures underline the continued growth in the emirate's integrated transport system as residents and visitors increasingly opt for sustainable mobility. Dubai Metro remained the backbone of the network, while taxis and public buses also recorded strong demand, together accounting for almost nine out of every 10 journeys.
The statistics cover Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis and shared mobility services, including app-based vehicles, hourly rentals and bus-on-demand. Limousines separately carried 5.7 million riders during the same period.
Mobility growth
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the latest figures demonstrate the success of Dubai's long-term vision to create a world-class transport ecosystem built on sustainability, innovation and seamless integration between different modes of travel.
He said the strategy supports Dubai's ambition to make public transport the preferred choice for daily mobility among residents and visitors while enhancing quality of life and strengthening the emirate's global competitiveness.
Al Tayer added that growing public confidence in the transport network has significantly increased the use of sustainable travel options over the past two decades. The share of trips made using public transport and shared mobility has risen from 6 percent in 2006 to 22.3 percent in 2025, reflecting a continuing shift towards more efficient and environmentally friendly travel patterns.
He noted that the figures also demonstrate the success of RTA's long-term investment in transport infrastructure and services, helping reinforce Dubai's position as one of the world's leading cities for integrated mobility.
Major projects
As part of its future strategy, the RTA continues expanding Dubai's transport infrastructure through several major projects designed to support population growth and improve connectivity across the emirate.
Among the largest developments is the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a 30-kilometre route featuring 14 stations. The line will serve nine key districts with an estimated population of around one million residents, supporting the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
The authority has also approved the Dubai Metro Gold Line, which will extend 42 kilometres with 18 stations at an estimated cost of Dh34 billion. It will become Dubai's first fully underground metro line and will be approximately three times the length of the existing Metro tunnel network. The Gold Line will connect with both the Red and Green Metro lines as well as Etihad Rail, further strengthening regional transport links.
RTA has also begun the phased introduction of 637 new buses built to Euro 6 European low-emission standards. The fleet includes 40 electric buses, representing the UAE's largest deployment of electric buses and the country's first project of its kind on this scale. The expansion is intended to increase public transport coverage while supporting Dubai's target of converting all public transport buses to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050.
Looking ahead, Al Tayer said the RTA has already started operating driverless taxis this year and is preparing to launch commercial air taxi services before the end of 2026, while work on the Dubai Loop project also continues.
Ridership in numbers
Dubai Metro remained the emirate's busiest mode of transport, accounting for 39.2 percent of total ridership during the first six months of the year. Taxis followed with 25.5 percent, while public buses contributed 24.4 percent. Together, these three modes represented around 89 percent of all passenger journeys.
January recorded the highest monthly ridership with 73.4 million passengers, while the remaining months each registered between 49 million and 66 million riders.
Across the network, Dubai Metro's Red and Green Lines carried around 136.5 million riders during the first half of 2026.
Among interchange stations, BurJuman emerged as the busiest with 8.4 million riders, followed by Union with 6.5 million.
On the Red Line, Al Rigga Station recorded the highest ridership at 6.4 million, ahead of Mall of the Emirates Station with 5.2 million and Business Bay Station with 5 million.
On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station ranked first with 4.9 million riders, followed by Baniyas Square Station with 3.8 million and Stadium Station with around 3.7 million.
Dubai Tram carried 3.8 million riders, while public buses transported 85.1 million passengers during the first half of the year.
Marine transport services handled 8.1 million riders, and shared mobility services, including app-based vehicles, hourly rentals and bus-on-demand, carried 25.7 million passengers. Dubai's taxi fleet transported 88.9 million riders over the six-month period.
Future vision
The RTA said it continues implementing strategic plans aimed at creating a fully integrated mobility ecosystem that improves connections between public transport and shared mobility services while delivering smoother journeys across the city.
The strategy includes expanding road networks, Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses and marine transport, alongside first and last-mile connectivity solutions, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and intelligent traffic systems designed to maximise infrastructure efficiency.
These initiatives are intended to further increase the role of public transport within Dubai's wider mobility network and raise the share of journeys made using public transport and shared mobility to 25 percent by 2030, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.