Dubai rolls out new taxi fares for app bookings

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a new fare structure for taxis booked via smart apps, but the changes will not affect passengers hailing taxis directly on the street.

The minimum fare for e-hailing rides has been set at AED 13. The RTA has also introduced peak, off-peak and night-time rates that vary by day of the week.

• From Monday to Thursday, peak hours are from 8:00 AM to 9:59 AM; and 4:00 PM to 7:59 PM, with a AED 7.50 booking fee and a AED 5 flagfall.
  • Off-peak hours carry a AED 4 booking fee and AED 5 flagfall, while night rides — from 10:00 PM to 5:59 AM — come with a AED 4.50 booking fee and AED 5.50 flagfall.
• On Fridays, peak hours are from 8:00 AM to 9:59 AM; and 4:00 PM to 9:59 PM, with a AED 7.50 booking fee and a AED 5 flagfall.
  • From 10:00 PM until 11:59 PM, the booking fee will be AED 7.50, while the flagfall will be AED 5.50.
  • A night-hour booking fee of AED 4.50 will apply from 12:00 AM to 5:59 AM, along with a flagfall of AED 5.50.
• Over the weekend, Saturdays and Sundays have two peak periods — from 4:00 PM to 9:59 PM, and again from 10:00 PM to 11:59 PM. The flagfall is AED 5 in the first slot and AED 5.50 in the second, with a AED 7.50 booking fee across both slots.
  • For trips outside peak hours, the flagfall remains AED 5 and the booking fee is AED 4, while night trips from 12:00 AM to 5:59 AM carry a AED 5.50 flagfall and a AED 4.50 booking fee.

The RTA says the adjustments are part of efforts to keep pace with demand and improve taxi services across the city.