While Dubai is famous for its towering skyscrapers, it's also renowned for providing one of the most cost-effective public transportation systems in the UAE. Be it tourists or residents, people love using public transport in Dubai. In fact, in 2023, a staggering 702 million passengers have used public transport in Dubai, according to data released by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
In 2023, the RTA reported that the combined number of passengers of public transport and shared mobility services, including the Dubai Metro, tram, buses, marine transport like abra, ferry, water taxi, water bus, shared mobility like e-hail, smart car rentals, bus-on-demand, and taxis, reached approximately 702 million passengers. It marks a 13% increase compared to the combined number of passengers in 2022, which stood at 621.4 million passengers. The average daily passenger count of public transport shared mobility, and taxis in 2023 was 1.92 million passengers compared to 1.7 million passengers in 2022.
Expressing his delight over the consistent annual increase in public transport usage, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, said, "These indicators stem from substantial investments and concerted efforts to promote public transport, highlighted by the launch of Dubai Metro, the world's longest driverless metro network extending 90km, the 11km-long Dubai Tram, and the extension of the bus routes from 2,095km to 3,967km (in both directions) from 2006 to 2023. It also includes deploying a modern fleet of public buses comprising 1,400 buses and operating an integrated marine transport network including traditional Abras, Dubai Ferry, and water taxis."
Detailed Breakup Of Dubai Metro
- In 2023, Dubai Metro's Red and Green Lines collectively served 260 million passengers, marking a 15% increase from 2022.
- Burjuman and Union Stations, acting as interchange stations, accounted for the highest share of Dubai Metro passenger count in 2023.
- Burjuman Station on both the Red and Green Lines served 15 million passengers, while Union Station served 11.9 million passengers.
- On the Red Line, Al Rigga Station attracted the most passengers with 11.7 million, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station with 11 million, and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station with over 10 million.
- On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station recorded the highest number of passenger count with 9.3 million, followed by Baniyas Station with 8.2 million, and the Stadium Station with 6.3 million passengers.
Detailed Breakup Of Other Transport Options
- Dubai Tram recorded 8.84 million passengers in 2023, experiencing an 18% increase from the previous year.
- Public buses in Dubai witnessed a passenger count of 173.5 million passengers in 2023, showing a 10% rise compared to 2022.
- Marine transport services, including abras, water buses, water taxis, and the Dubai Ferry, collectively served 17.43 million passengers in 2023, indicating a 9% increase.
- Shared mobility services such as e-hail, smart car rental, and Bus-On-Demand carried 43.61 million passengers in 2023, reflecting a significant 34% growth.
- Taxis, operated by Dubai Taxi Company and franchise companies, transported 198.44 million passengers in 2023, marking an 8% increase over the previous year.