Taxi-sharing service begins between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
On a 6-month trial basis
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has launched a taxi-sharing pilot service, allowing passengers to share rides between Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi.
The service will run for six months and is designed to offer a convenient, fast, and affordable transportation option for passengers travelling between the two emirates in the United Arab Emirates. Depending on the success of the new service, plans may be made to extend it to other locations in the UAE.
The main advantage of the taxi-sharing service is its cost-effectiveness. When four passengers share a taxi, the fare is reduced by up to 75%. In this case, each passenger will pay AED66, compared to a full fare one person would typically cover. If there are two passengers, the fare is AED132 per person, while three passengers will pay AED88 each.
The route between Ibn Battuta Mall and Al Wahda Mall was chosen after a comprehensive analysis of potential routes connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Public transport links and parking facilities serve both taxi-point locations.
According to Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency, attached to Dubai’s RTA, the initiative aims to reduce travel costs, especially for frequent commuters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Passengers can pay the taxi fare using credit, debit, or Nol cards. The shared taxi rides aim to ease traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and help curb unlicensed passenger transport services.
The initiative is also designed with passenger safety in mind. All the taxis have cameras linked to an operations control centre and feature monitoring systems to track driver performance. This service promises a smooth, comfortable, and secure journey, benefiting both the environment and commuters.
Hero image: The taxi-sharing service begins at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Credit: Dubai’s RTA
