Dubai’s taxi sector has seen a significant increase in activity during the first half of 2024.
More than 55.7 million trips were logged between January and June, up by nearly 500,000 from the same period last year. Passenger numbers also rose from 96.2 million to 96.9 million.
The number of taxi drivers has grown from 26,000 to 30,000, while the fleet expanded by 644 vehicles, reaching a total of 12,778 taxis.
Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), highlighted the success of the e-hail service, Hala Taxi.
He said that e-bookings now make up 40 per cent of all taxi journeys, a 5 per cent increase from last year. Additionally, 76 per cent of Hala rides had an average vehicle arrival time of under 3.5 minutes, improving on last year’s 73 per cent.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed major traffic expansion works on Al Warqa’a 1 Street, stretching seven kilometres between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Ras Al Khor Road.
The UAE Government has approved a comprehensive package of updated federal laws aimed at strengthening agricultural and veterinary quarantine systems, protecting new plant varieties, and regulating the international trade in endangered animals and plants.
Dubai Police have praised the exceptional contribution of volunteers who supported crowd management and organisation during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, describing their efforts as vital to the safe and smooth running of one of the city’s largest annual events.
The UAE and the African Union Commission (AUC) have called for an immediate humanitarian truce and permanent ceasefire in Sudan, along with unhindered aid access and the formation of an independent civilian-led government.