Dubai Taxi plans to expand services to other emirates
Publicly listed Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) is planning on expanding operations across the UA, not just in the ride-hailing platform business, but also in operating taxis and limousines in other emirates, the company CEO told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the ongoing World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.
'We are exploring new markets. Right now, we are only operating taxis and limousines in Dubai. But we are studying our next steps to explore and see how we can expand our fleet (to other emirates),' DTC CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi said.
Founded in 1994, DTC evolved into a public shareholding company in 2023. It currently operates more than 9,000 vehicles, including 6000 taxis and has a workforce of 17,500 drivers across four primary businesses such as taxis, VIP limousines, buses, and delivery services.
DTC has already expanded its business by partnering with global e-hailing platform Bolt in December last year, offering mainly limousine services. Alfalasi also told Khaleej Times earlier that regular taxi services could be introduced on Bolt in first quarter this year.
Alfalasi noted Bolt is considered as the 'world's biggest e-hailing app with more than 200 million active users across more than 600 cities in more than 50 countries.'
'If Bolt wants to expand across the UAE and beyond the region, and wants us to be a partner, we are open to it,' he added, noting: 'Expansion means offering other business verticals, including micro-mobility solutions such as e-scooter and e-bike rentals, food and grocery delivery, and short-term car rental.
Alfalasi added DTC already has a presence in Abu Dubai, through its partnership with Talabat in operating delivery bikes. There are also school buses operated by DTC in Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.
'Whenever we are ready to announce expanding our taxi operations in other emirates, we will disclose it to the public,' he underscored.
Meanwhile, Alfalasi also said Dubai is on track to having autonomous taxis plying the streets of Dubai in 2026. Fully-automated self-driving taxis have been deployed as early as September 2023 following the mapping of Jumeirah 1 area. The complete operation of driverless taxi and e-hail services will make Dubai the first city in the world to commercially operate Cruise self-driving vehicles outside the US.
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