Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will expand its taxi ride-sharing service for a six-month trial period, the organisation has announced. The pilot is scheduled to begin during the coming period.
The decision follows the success the initiative has achieved since its launch last year. The service provides shared taxi trips from Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai to Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi.
The service has witnessed uptake from segments of the community, who regard it as a mobility option.
RTA taxi ride-sharing records 228% increase in riders between Dubai, Abu Dhabi
“Since its launch last year, the shared taxi service operating between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has recorded a huge increase of 228% in the number of riders choosing it for travel between the two emirates. This strong demand has encouraged us to expand the service on a trial basis to include two additional locations: Al Maktoum International Airport, with routes to Dubai Marina Mall, Business Bay Metro Station and Palm Jumeirah – Atlantis Monorail Station; and Dubai World Trade Centre, with routes to Business Bay Metro Station, Al Satwa Bus Station and Dubai Marina Mall,” Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency said in a statement.
“The decision to introduce new locations on trial basis follows field studies and a detailed analysis of potential routes for the taxi ride-sharing service in the emirate. The objective is to reduce fare costs for riders, particularly those who rely on this mode of transport within Dubai,” Shakri added.
One of the objectives RTA aims to achieve through this initiative is helping to reduce traffic congestion by enabling riders to share a taxi. This approach contributes to traffic flow and provides benefits, including reducing the carbon footprint.
The service has helped curb transport while offering riders mobility onboard RTA taxis, which are equipped with features that enhance passenger safety and comfort, such as cameras linked to the Operations Control Centre as well as cameras that monitor driver performance.
