Dubai launches affordable taxi-sharing pilot service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a six-month taxi-sharing pilot service aimed at providing a convenient, cost-effective travel option between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The service, which runs between Ibn Battuta Centre in Dubai and Al Wahda Centre in Abu Dhabi, will allow passengers to share rides, reducing travel costs by as much as 75% for frequent commuters, the RTA said in a press release.

The shared taxi service offers various pricing options depending on the number of passengers:

1. When four passengers share a ride, each pays AED 66, a fraction of the full fare cost.

2. For smaller groups, the cost per passenger will be AED 132 for two riders and AED 88 for three. Passengers can pay using bank cards or nol cards, adding flexibility for travelers.

Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency Adel Shakri explained the decision to pilot this route: “Ibn Battuta Centre and Al Wahda Centre were selected after a thorough analysis of potential routes. Both locations are well-connected to public transportation hubs and parking facilities, making them ideal for this initiative.”

Beyond cost savings, the RTA's taxi-sharing service aims to ease traffic congestion between the two cities and reduce environmental impact.

By encouraging shared rides, the RTA expects to cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on unlicensed transport services.

Safety is a priority, with RTA taxis equipped with cameras linked to the Operations Control Centre, as well as systems to monitor driver performance, ensuring passengers a secure and comfortable journey.

If the pilot proves successful, the RTA may expand taxi-sharing services to additional routes in the future, offering more options for convenient and sustainable intercity travel in the UAE, it said in the press release.