Dubai’s transport ecosystem continued to demonstrate strong demand during the first half of 2026, with hundreds of millions of passenger journeys recorded across metro lines, buses, taxis, trams, marine services and shared mobility options. The latest figures highlight the city’s ongoing investment in integrated transportation while reflecting the growing mobility needs of residents, commuters and tourists.
According to official data released by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the emirate registered 348.1 million passenger trips between January and June 2026 across its public transport network, taxi fleet and shared mobility services. The original announcement is available on the RTA. The results underline the continued expansion of Dubai’s transport infrastructure and the increasing role of multimodal travel in one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas.
Metro Remains the Backbone of Urban Mobility
Dubai Metro remained the most frequently used transport mode during the six-month period. The automated rail system transported 136.5 million passengers, confirming its position as the backbone of the city’s public transport network. Continuous investments in station upgrades, service reliability and network connectivity have helped the metro maintain its popularity among daily commuters.
Public buses ranked second among mass transit services, recording 85.1 million passenger journeys. The extensive bus network continues to connect residential communities with commercial districts, metro stations and key public facilities, making it an essential component of Dubai’s integrated mobility strategy.
Taxi services also experienced significant demand. Licensed taxis completed journeys for 88.9 million passengers, reflecting sustained demand for point-to-point transport across the emirate. Taxi usage remains high among both residents and visitors, particularly for airport transfers, business travel and destinations not directly served by rail infrastructure.
Dubai Tram carried 3.8 million passengers, supporting mobility within Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and surrounding districts. Although it represents a smaller share of overall passenger traffic, the tram continues to play an important role by connecting residential, commercial and tourism hubs with the metro network.
Shared Mobility and Marine Transport Continue to Grow
Alternative transport solutions also contributed substantially to overall mobility figures. Shared mobility services, including app-based transport providers, hourly rental vehicles and on-demand buses, transported 25.7 million passengers during the first half of the year. Their growing popularity reflects changing travel preferences and the increasing adoption of flexible transport options that complement traditional public transit.
Marine transport remained another important element of Dubai’s transport network. Ferries, abras and other water-based services carried 8.1 million passengers, serving both practical commuting needs and leisure travel while helping reduce pressure on road infrastructure in waterfront areas.
Luxury transport services also maintained steady demand. Limousine operators transported approximately 5.7 million passengers during the same six-month period, supported by business travel, hospitality and premium tourism.
Daily Demand Reflects Dubai’s Expanding Population
On average, around 1.9 million passenger journeys were recorded each day across Dubai’s combined transport network. January proved to be the busiest month of the reporting period, generating 73.4 million passenger trips. Passenger volumes remained consistently high throughout the following months, fluctuating between approximately 49 million and 66 million monthly journeys.
The sustained demand illustrates Dubai’s continued population growth, expanding tourism sector and strong economic activity. Large-scale residential developments, new commercial districts and increasing visitor numbers continue to place greater emphasis on efficient and sustainable mobility solutions.
Transport analysts note that the combination of rail services, buses, taxis, marine transport and flexible shared mobility options has created a diversified network capable of accommodating rising demand while reducing dependence on private vehicles. As Dubai continues investing in smart mobility technologies and future transport projects, passenger volumes are expected to increase further in the coming years.