Switch to taxi e-hail contributes to enhance sustainability and traffic flow in Dubai

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The use of e-hailing technology for taxis by Dubai has contributed to the development of a greener and smooth traffic flow system in the city. This trend has led more taxi riders into using e-booking systems instead of roaming through the streets because taxis are booked mainly through the smart apps for pre-booked trips.

In 2024, the taxi sector experienced remarkable growth, largely driven by good performance and service improvements. Growth reflects the Roads and Transport Authority's efforts to expand and improve the switch to e-booking systems.

Adel Shakri, the Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency, explained the progress, saying, "RTA is focused on strategies to reduce traffic, which has become a challenge due to Dubai's growing economy and population. In the last two years, we've made significant progress in changing Dubai’s taxi service through e-hail, with many initiatives boosting service efficiency and customer satisfaction."

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"In 2024, e-hail taxi trips grew by 16% compared to 2023. Also, the Hala app saw its market share during busy hours increase from 42% in 2023 to 50% in 2024. This shift means about 7,600 fewer cars are on the roads each day. This change is a result of dedicating taxis for e-hail bookings during peak times, and passengers are increasingly choosing e-hail for their rides," said Shakri.

He continued, “Customer satisfaction and driver happiness also improved. In 2024, more than 74% of e-hail trips had waiting times of less than 3.5 minutes. Drivers also benefited, with an average 50-minute reduction in driving time each day and a 4% decrease in travel distances."

"From an environmental perspective, the switch to e-hail has cut CO2 emissions by 20,000 tonnes in 2024. This was achieved by reducing the extra distance travelled by taxis, which was 3 kilometers less per trip compared to regular taxis. This saved 5 minutes of unnecessary driving for each trip."

These positive outcomes show the success of RTA's efforts to modernize and improve taxi services in Dubai, promoting sustainability, improving service quality, and making the system more accessible for everyone—residents, visitors, and tourists alike.