Dubai’s Public Transport Usage Surges – Over 1.8 Million Daily Riders. Dubai’s public transportation system has seen significant growth, with an impressive average of over 1.8 million people using public transport daily in the first eight months of 2023. This surge in ridership reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing its transport infrastructure.
Dubai’s Public Transport Usage Surges – Over 1.8 Million Daily Riders
From January to August 2023, public transport ridership in Dubai reached a remarkable 450 million passengers. This marks a 12% increase compared to the 401 million recorded during the same period in 2022. This growth underscores the increasing reliance on public transport by Dubai’s residents and visitors.
Popular Modes of Transport
The Dubai Metro emerged as the most popular mode of transport, serving 167 million riders. Taxis followed closely with 130 million users, while public buses transported 111 million riders. Marine transport options ferried 11 million passengers, and the Dubai Tram served 5.6 million. Shared transportation services, including e-hail, smart rentals, and bus-on-demand, catered to about 26 million passengers.
RTA Announcements and Celebrations
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) released these statistics as it prepared to celebrate its 18th anniversary and the 14th Public Transport Day initiative on November 1. This year’s event, themed ‘Gym on the Go,’ aims to promote physical fitness and encourage the use of public transportation.
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors at RTA, highlighted the growth in the share of mass transport in people’s mobility, which increased from 6% in 2006 to 20.61% in 2022. This significant rise showcases the success of Dubai’s strategic transport initiatives.
Dubai’s Transport Network Expansion
The RTA has invested in numerous mega projects worth approximately Dh146 billion, contributing to the development of Dubai’s comprehensive transport network. Key projects include:
- Dubai Metro: The world’s longest driverless metro system, stretching 89.3 km.
- Dubai Tram: An 11-km-long tram network.
- Bus Fleet: A fleet of 1,400 buses.
- Marine Transport Systems: Including traditional Abras, ferries, and water taxis.
Between 2006 and 2022, Dubai’s road network expanded from 8,715 to 18,768 lane-km. The number of bridges and tunnels increased from 129 to 988, while footbridges and subways grew from 26 to 122. Additionally, cycling lanes expanded from 9 km to 543 km, with plans to reach 833 km by 2026.
Commitment to Sustainability: Going Green
In May, the RTA unveiled its ‘Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050’ strategy. This initiative aims to mitigate climate change impacts and reduce the carbon footprint across all operations. By 2050, 100% of public buses will be powered by electricity or hydrogen. Taxis and limousines are set to transition to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2040.
Conclusion
Dubai’s public transportation system is not only expanding but also evolving towards a greener and more efficient future. The substantial increase in ridership demonstrates the city’s successful efforts in providing a reliable and sustainable transport network. With continued investment and innovation, Dubai is well on its way to becoming a global leader in public transportation.