Dubai Sees 395 Million Public Transport Journeys In Q1 2025
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) revealed that public transport services carried about 395.3 million riders in the first half of 2025. The figure includes trips on Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared mobility options such as app-based vehicles, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses.
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This marks a 9% increase compared to the 361.2 million riders recorded during the same period in 2024. The average daily ridership rose to nearly 2.18 million, up from 1.98 million last year.
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Growing Confidence in Public Transport
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said the steady rise in ridership reflects the public’s trust in Dubai’s transport network.
“The continued growth in public transport ridership reflects users’ confidence in the system’s efficiency and the quality of services provided across all modes,” Al Tayer stated.
He highlighted that Dubai’s public transport share of total journeys increased from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024, showing a strong shift toward sustainable travel.
Expanding Dubai’s Transport Network
Dubai’s transport system continues to evolve with major projects underway. The Dubai Metro Blue Line, spanning 30 km with 14 stations, is under construction. It will serve nine key districts with an estimated population of one million residents, supporting the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan.
Additionally, RTA signed agreements to procure 637 new buses, including 40 electric buses, the first and largest such fleet in the UAE. These buses will be delivered between 2025 and 2026, supporting Dubai’s plan to shift to electric and hydrogen-powered buses by 2050.
Breakdown of Ridership
- Dubai Metro carried 143.9 million riders on the Red and Green Lines.
- Taxis served 103.5 million riders, making up 26% of total ridership.
- Public buses transported 95.7 million riders (24% share).
- Dubai Tram had 4.9 million riders, while marine transport served 9.7 million riders.
- Shared mobility services (app-based vehicles, hourly rentals, and on-demand buses) recorded 37.6 million riders.
The Dubai Metro remained the most popular mode of transport, with BurJuman Station recording 8.6 million riders, followed by Al Rigga Station with 6.8 million.
May 2025 saw the highest monthly ridership, reaching 68.8 million trips, while other months ranged between 61 and 68 million trips.
Driving Sustainable Mobility
Al Tayer confirmed that RTA remains committed to building a world-class transport system. The focus is on expanding lines, enhancing station connectivity, and providing inclusive mobility options for residents and visitors alike.
Dubai’s integrated public transport system has become the backbone of mobility in the city, encouraging more people to opt for mass transit and helping reduce congestion and emissions.