Dubai's public transport surge: 395 million riders in first half of 2025

Gulf Business

7 days ago

Image credit: Dubai Media Office/ Website
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a 9 per cent increase in public transport ridership in the first half of 2025, with nearly 395.3 million riders using various transit modes, up from approximately 361.2 million in the same period in 2024. The daily average ridership climbed to 2.18 million, compared to 1.98 million last year.
Read-
The RTA's multi-modal transport network includes the Dubai Metro, Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared mobility services such as app-based vehicles, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses,
Confidence in the system
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the consistent growth reflects the public's growing confidence in the reliability and quality of Dubai's transportation services.
'The continued growth in public transport ridership reflects users' confidence in the system's efficiency and the quality of services provided across all modes. We remain committed to delivering safe, comfortable, and sustainable mobility solutions for every segment of society,' Al Tayer stated.
He highlighted the transformation of the public transport sector, describing it as the 'backbone of mobility' across the emirate. Since 2006, the share of journeys made using public and shared transport has increased from 6 per cent to 21.6 per cent by the end of 2024.
Vision for growth
Al Tayer emphasized the authority's long-term vision to make public transport the first choice for commuters by improving accessibility and connectivity across Dubai.
'We are moving forward with a clear vision to make public transport the preferred choice for daily commuting by smartly expanding transport lines and networks, strengthening connectivity between stations and key destinations, and offering flexible, inclusive mobility solutions.'
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/ Website
Dubai Metro Blue Line and green mobility push
One of the major projects under development is the Dubai Metro Blue Line, which is currently under construction. Spanning 30 kilometres and comprising 14 stations, the new line is expected to serve nine key districts with a combined population of one million. The project is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
In line with its sustainability goals, the RTA also announced the procurement of 637 buses, including 40 electric vehicles, compliant with Euro 6 low-emission standards, the first and largest such fleet in the UAE. The buses are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2026 and will support the expansion of the bus network.
'They also align with our strategic objective to convert the entire public bus fleet to electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2050,' Al Tayer added.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve service quality, the RTA has completed the development of 16 bus stations and six depots this month.
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/ Website
Mode share and ridership trends
The Dubai Metro accounted for the largest share of riders in the first half of the year, at 36.5 per cent, followed by taxis at 26 per cent, and public buses at 24 per cent.
May emerged as the busiest month, with 68.8 million riders, while other months saw between 61 and 68 million users. Al Tayer noted that the ridership growth reflects Dubai's economic recovery and the effectiveness of RTA's strategic transport initiatives.
'Dubai's public transport network, with all components operating in full integration, serves as the backbone of mobility across the emirate. It has succeeded in fostering a positive shift in public attitudes toward mass transit,' he said.
Metro station performance
The Dubai Metro saw nearly 143.9 million riders during the first half of 2025 across both the Red and Green Lines.
BurJuman Station, serving both lines, recorded the highest ridership at 6 million.
Al Rigga Station followed with 8 million, and Union Station with 6.6 million.
On the Red Line, Mall of the Emirates (5.6 million), Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (5.4 million), and Business Bay (5.3 million) were top performers.
On the Green Line, Sharaf DG Station led with 1 million riders, followed by Baniyas (4.1 million) and Stadium Station (3.6 million).
Other transit modes
The Dubai Tram carried 4.9 million riders, while public buses transported 95.7 million. Marine transport services, including water buses, ferries, and abras, served 9.7 million passengers.
Shared mobility options — including ride-hailing apps, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses — accounted for 37.6 million riders. Meanwhile, taxi services transported 103.5 million riders, making them the second-largest mode by usage after the Metro.
Building an integrated ecosystem
RTA's strategy hinges on developing an integrated and sustainable transportation network that connects all transit modes — from metro lines to marine services, first-and-last-mile solutions, and shared mobility.
This includes not only expanding the physical infrastructure, such as roads and stations, but also investing in smart transport systems that increase the efficiency of traffic and public transport management.
Other key initiatives include:
Enhancing pedestrian and cycling facilities.
Improving connectivity between different modes.
Implementing policies that encourage the shift away from private vehicle use.
Looking ahead to 2030
As part of its long-term strategy, the RTA aims to increase the share of trips made using public and shared transport from 21.6 per cent today to 25 per cent by 2030.
These goals are aligned with broader sustainability objectives, including emissions reduction, improved air quality, and efficient land use across Dubai.