RTA serves 8.2 million riders during Eid Al Adha

Metro leads the way

It’s no surprise that the Dubai Metro remained the busiest mode of transport. The Red and Green Lines together carried around 3.3 million passengers, once again showing why the metro is seen as the backbone of Dubai public transport.

Public buses followed with 1.73 million riders, while the Dubai Tram served just over 114,000 passengers. Marine transport, including abras, ferries and water taxis, handled about 304,300 riders, which still plays an important role, especially in older parts of the city.

Taxis remain vital

Taxis continue to fill the gaps where public transport doesn’t always reach directly. Combined services from Dubai Taxi Corporation and franchise operators recorded 2.3 million riders, making up a significant portion of overall movement across the emirate.

For many people, especially during holidays, taxis remain one of the most convenient options despite the growing reach of metro and bus networks.

Shared mobility gains ground

Another interesting shift is the steady rise of shared mobility Dubai services. Smart app-based vehicles, hourly rentals and Bus-On-Demand solutions together recorded 402,700 riders.

While still smaller in scale compared to metro or taxis, these services are clearly gaining traction, particularly among younger users and those looking for more flexible transport options.

Ridership rises year on year

Compared to 2025, when total ridership stood at 7.6 million, this year’s numbers show a noticeable increase. The growth reflects both population expansion and a stronger shift towards Dubai mobility services.

With Dubai’s population now crossing the four million mark, demand across metro, buses, taxis and newer mobility solutions is only expected to grow further.

And if holiday numbers are anything to go by, the city’s transport network is going to stay busier than ever.