Self-Driving Taxis to Hit the Streets of Dubai on This Date

People in Dubai will be happy to know that fully automated self-driving taxis will hit the streets of Dubai in the first week of October. 

The news was confirmed by a senior official from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Five driverless taxis will be deployed along the 8 km stretch of Jumeriah Road between Etihad Museum and Dubai Water Canal.

Autonomous taxis will not take passengers yet because the taxis will operate under a trial phase. 

Only select individuals will be able to take Cruise taxis by the end of 2023, before the taxis' full commercial operation in the second half of 2024. 

The complete operations of driverless taxis and e-hail services will make Dubai the first city globally to operate Cruise self-driving vehicles outside of the US.

These Cruise taxis can accommodate up to three passengers.

RTA has not determined the fare for these taxis, but the fare might be comparable to the fares of limo taxis, which are 30 percent higher than regular cabs in Dubai.

The RTA will add more selfless taxis in Jumeirah in 2024 with the gradual deployment of 4,000 driverless taxis across Dubai by 2030.

RTA chose the Jumeirah area for the initial rollout phase because of its strategic location and historic tourist attractions.

The first batch of these taxis will operate within the Jumeirah area, therefore pick-up and drop-off are limited to the same area. 

If you're struggling to find a cab in Jumeirah, definitely book the driverless taxi!