Dubai public transport use surges during New Year celebrations

More than 2.8 million passengers used public transport and mobility services during the city’s New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, marking a 13 per cent increase on the previous year, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said.

The rise in passenger numbers came as part of a coordinated traffic and transport plan that included temporary road closures and close cooperation with Dubai’s event security teams and other authorities.

According to the RTA, a total of 2,836,859 people used public transport, taxis, e-hailing and shared mobility services on the night, up from just over 2.5 million during New Year’s Eve 2025.

Dubai Metro services on the Red and Green Lines carried the largest share of passengers, with more than 1.24 million journeys recorded. The Dubai Tram transported 58,052 passengers, while public buses and on-demand bus services carried more than 503,000 people.

Taxi journeys totalled 661,538, with 286,135 passengers using e-hailing services. Marine transport ferried 76,745 passengers, and shared mobility services accounted for just under 1,500 trips.

The RTA said the figures reflected the efficiency and readiness of Dubai’s transport network, helping to ensure smooth movement and public safety during one of the city’s busiest nights of the year.