Dubai Taxi Ridership Hits New High in H1 2025

The surge hasn’t slowed pickups. Average arrival time has improved to under 3.5 minutes in H1 2025, down from under 4 minutes a year earlier. A bigger workforce is part of the picture, with driver numbers up from around 13,000 to about 14,000, alongside tighter dispatching and better demand management across peak periods.

How riders book is changing too. The RTA reports the strongest recent growth in app-based bookings, hourly vehicle rentals and the Hala Taxi service, reflecting Dubai’s habit of planning journeys on-the-go. As the city adds residents, offices and attractions, on-demand options are becoming the default rather than the exception.

RTA officials describe the trend as steady, broad-based growth across the sector. As Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency, noted, trips in the first six months of 2025 rose by seven per cent year on year, underscoring sustained demand through everyday commutes and weekend traffic alike.

For passengers, the takeaway is simple: more cars in circulation and faster ETAs. Whether you hail at the kerb, book through Hala or reserve by the hour, availability is improving and waits are shortening – especially if you share your live location and payment preference in-app.