RTA to shift 80% of taxis to online booking

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has endorsed a plan to shift from conventional taxis' street-hail to e-hail services, aiming for an 80 per cent e-hail adoption rate in the coming years.

The decision stems from the success of Hala e-hailing rides, which accounted for 30 per cent of all taxi trips in Dubai in 2022.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said, “the expansion of taxi e-hail services, as opposed to street-hailing, reinforces the government’s goal of transforming Dubai into the world's smartest city. This step also aligns with the worldwide shift in urban transportation planning, focusing on improving individual mobility, decreasing dependence on private cars, fostering happiness among residents, delivering outstanding services to visitors, and boosting customer satisfaction."

E-hailing has emerged as the most efficient means of matching taxi supply with demand and providing customers with hassle-free, efficient taxi services. Al Tayer said the service boosts the efficiency of taxi operations by streamlining the process of locating and booking rides electronically, which leads to a higher percentage of trips with shorter waiting times of 3.5 minutes or less, thereby increasing customer happiness and satisfaction while reducing wasted mileage, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions.

He added that customers can also benefit from other features such as seamless in-app e-payment, optimal route selection, trip-sharing options, access to driver and vehicle details, and the ability to rate both the service and the driver. These services further support RTA's initiatives to integrate diverse transport modes and offer first- and last-mile solutions, enabling mass transit users to conveniently reach their ultimate destinations.

.@rta_dubai endorses a plan to shift 80% of taxi trips from street-hailing to e-hailing. The decision stems from the remarkable success of Hala e-hailing rides, which accounted for 30% of all taxi trips in #Dubai in 2022.https://t.co/sujm9Lf6r2 pic.twitter.com/AzqWxWD06D

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 19, 2023