Latest news with #Shakri
What's On
4 days ago
- Business
- What's On
Dubai taxi usage surges in 2025, outpacing last year's demand
Are you always hailing a cab to take you around the city? Well, you're not the only one, Dubai taxis are getting more and more popular in recent years and in the first half of 2025, the total number of taxi trips was 59.5 million, which has grown from 55.7 million in 2024. The sector in general has grown 7% in the first half of 2025 compared to this time last year. The number of passengers has also gone up with 103.5 million in 2025, a rise from 97 million last year. Hala in particular has seen steady growth, the companies market share has increased from 40.3% last year, to 41.3%. Don't worry though, you shouldn't be waiting any longer for a Hala taxi, service efficiency has improved and the number of taxis on the road has also increased. This year there are nearly 14,000 taxi drivers on the Dubai roads, which has gone up a whopping thousand since last year. Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: 'The comparative figures for H1 2025 underscore the emirate's economic vibrancy, which has cemented its position as a global destination for investment and tourism.' Shakri concluded: 'Service efficiency likewise improved: in H1 2024, approximately 70% of Hala Taxi trips recorded an estimated vehicle arrival time of under four minutes; in H1 2025, about 74% of trips were under 3.5 minutes.' What is a Hala Taxi? Hala is a greeting in Arabic that can mean 'hello' or 'welcome' so it's a fitting name to have for taxis in Dubai. They were founded in 2019 as a collaboration between Careem and RTA (Roads and Transport Authority). You can easily book your ride through the Careem App and there is real-time tracking so you can see exactly where your taxi is and when it's on the way to you. There are also other options to make sure you get exactly what you want such as Hala Max which is for up to six people, Hala EV which is an electric ride for up to four people and Hala Kids that is an affordable ride with a child seat. There are lots of options to suit everyone. Why do Dubai taxis have different colour roofs? If you've hopped in a Hala taxi in Dubai, you'll notice a sand cream colour on the body of the car, with a different colour on the roof. If you've ever wondered what it meant, essentially, the different roofs represent different parent companies of taxis in Dubai. Taxis with a red roof, you'll see them if you're getting one from DXB Airport, are Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) who have approximately 9,500 taxis on the roads of Dubai. Find all the information here. Image: Dubai Media Office > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Filipino Times
25-03-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Dubai's AED 5 ‘Bus on Demand' now available in Oud Metha, Barsha Heights
Good news, ka-TFT! The 'Bus on Demand' service is now available in Oud Metha and Barsha Heights! The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) added these two areas as more people use the service—thanks to its low fare of only 5 dirhams per trip. The 'Bus on Demand' service allows passengers to book small public buses using its mobile app, available on Apple Store and Google Play. Each bus can carry up to 13 passengers and operates within specific areas, taking commuters from their locations to the nearest public transport stations. Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency of the RTA, said: 'The RTA has expanded the scope of this service to 10 vital areas in the emirate to meet the growing demand for this service.' 'It was previously operated in vital areas such as Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Al Nahda, and more recently in Business Bay and Downtown Dubai,' Shakri said. 'It is witnessing a large turnout among a large segment of public transport users, especially since the new expansion of the service includes important vital areas in addition to enabling movement between the two adjacent areas.' The system is built on smart response technology, which connects passengers to available buses through the app. Commuters can select their starting point and destination and pay the fare through digital channels, making the service both easy and efficient. Before launching the service, the RTA conducted field surveys that considered factors such as population size, vehicle ownership, distance to public transport stations, waiting times, and rider preferences for comfort and punctuality. The on-demand buses are part of Dubai's efforts to ease traffic congestion and enhance travel convenience. Inspired by successful systems in countries like Spain, Germany, the United States, and Finland, the service continues to integrate well with Dubai's overall public transport network.
Arabian Business
25-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai expands bus-on-demand service to 2 new neighbourhoods
Oud Metha Barsha Heights This expansion addresses the increasing demand for the service, offering swift and convenient daily mobility solutions while improving traffic flow across the emirate. Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency said: 'The Bus-On-Demand service is seamless, efficient, and stands as one of the leading mass mobility solutions in Dubai, a city experiencing rapid population growth. Bus-on-demand in Dubai 'This expansion helps tackle challenges related to traffic congestion and enhances traffic flow while remaining cost-effective at just AED5 ($1.40) per trip per person. 'In response to growing demand, RTA had expanded the service to cover 10 key areas across the emirate. The service was already available in vital locations such as Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Al Nahda, with recent expansions to Business Bay in February last year and Downtown Dubai at the end of 2024. 'The service is experiencing strong demand from a wide segment of public transport users, especially with the latest expansion covering key areas and enabling seamless travel between the two adjacent zones. 'This integration strengthens the public transport network and ensures faster, safer journeys for commuters.' Shakri explained that the Bus-On-Demand initiative operates through an intelligent response system that allows passengers to request the service via a smart application. This system connects designated areas with compact public buses, enabling users to plan their route from departure to destination and pay the fare through the app. He highlighted that the service offers an innovative solution for first- and last-mile connectivity, seamlessly linking residential areas with the nearest public transport stations. Before launching the service, RTA conducted a comprehensive field survey based on various criteria, including user demographics, vehicle ownership, mobility options, proximity to public transport stations and stops, and preferred travel choices such as walking distance and waiting time. Additional factors considered included comfort, punctuality, on-demand availability, proximity to residential areas and key destinations, and affordability. RTA also benchmarked the service against global best practices in countries such as Spain, Germany, the United States, and Finland. Notably, the Bus-On-Demand service is accessible via the Dubai-Bus On-Demand smart application, available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store for smartphones and smart devices. The service operates 13-seater buses along designated routes within specific geographical areas, with drivers able to communicate with passengers via the app to reach the nearest pickup point.
Gulf Today
24-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Dubai expands Bus-On-Demand service to meet growing demand in Oud Metha, Barsha Heights
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its Bus-On-Demand service to include two new areas: Oud Metha and Barsha Heights. This expansion addresses the increasing demand for the service, offering swift and convenient daily mobility solutions while improving traffic flow across the emirate. Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency stated: 'The Bus-On-Demand service is seamless, efficient, and stands as one of the leading mass mobility solutions in Dubai, a city experiencing rapid population growth. This expansion helps tackle challenges related to traffic congestion and enhances traffic flow while remaining cost-effective at just AED 5 per trip per person.' Shakri added: 'In response to growing demand, RTA had expanded the service to cover 10 key areas across the emirate. The service was already available in vital locations such as Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Al Nahda, with recent expansions to Business Bay in February last year and Downtown Dubai at the end of 2024. 'The service is experiencing strong demand from a wide segment of public transport users, especially with the latest expansion covering key areas and enabling seamless travel between the two adjacent zones. This integration strengthens the public transport network and ensures faster, safer journeys for commuters.' Shakri explained that the Bus-On-Demand initiative operates through an intelligent response system that allows passengers to request the service via a smart application. This system connects designated areas with compact public buses, enabling users to plan their route from departure to destination and pay the fare through the app. He highlighted that the service offers an innovative solution for first- and last-mile connectivity, seamlessly linking residential areas with the nearest public transport stations. Before launching the service, RTA conducted a comprehensive field survey based on various criteria, including user demographics, vehicle ownership, mobility options, proximity to public transport stations and stops, and preferred travel choices such as walking distance and waiting time. Additional factors considered included comfort, punctuality, on-demand availability, proximity to residential areas and key destinations, and affordability. RTA also benchmarked the service against global best practices in countries such as Spain, Germany, the United States, and Finland. Notably, the Bus-On-Demand service is accessible via the Dubai-Bus On-Demand smart application, available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store for smartphones and smart devices. The service operates 13-seater buses along designated routes within specific geographical areas, with drivers able to communicate with passengers via the app to reach the nearest pickup point.
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai expands bus-on-demand service to 10 key locations for Dh5 per trip
In response to the growing demand for flexible and efficient transportation in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its bus-on-demand service to cover 10 key locations across the emirate, including Oud Metha and Barsha Heights. This expansion is designed to offer residents and commuters more convenient transportation options while helping alleviate traffic congestion in these high-demand areas. The service, which is cost-effective at just Dh5 per trip per person, was already operational in several busy areas and has now been extended to include even more vital locations, providing a convenient and affordable solution for daily travel. "The service was already available in vital locations such as Al Barsha, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Al Nahda, with recent expansions to Business Bay in February last year and Downtown Dubai at the end of 2024," said Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency. 'The service is experiencing strong demand from a wide segment of public transport users, especially with the latest expansion covering key areas and enabling seamless travel between the two adjacent zones. This integration strengthens the public transport network and ensures faster, safer journeys for commuters," he added. Shakri also explained that the service is powered by an intelligent response system, allowing passengers to book their trips through a smart application. The app provides a user-friendly platform where commuters can plan their routes, track buses, and pay fares — all with a few taps on their smartphones. This technology helps integrate the service into the larger public transport network, improving accessibility and providing seamless connections between residential areas and major transport hubs. The service operates with 13-seater buses that follow specific routes within designated zones, and drivers can communicate directly with passengers via the app to arrange convenient pick-up points. To ensure the service's success, RTA conducted a comprehensive survey analyzing factors such as user demographics, vehicle ownership, and the proximity of residential areas to public transport stations. They also considered preferences like walking distance and waiting times. Additionally, international best practices from countries such as Spain, Germany, the US, and Finland were studied to ensure that the service meets global standards for comfort, punctuality, and accessibility. Notably, residents can download the Bus-On-Demand app from the Apple Store and Google Play Store for smartphones and smart devices.
