Dubai is witnessing a historic transformation in how its residents and visitors move across the city. The RTA recently announced that public transport and shared mobility usage hit 802.1 million riders in 2025. This remarkable figure highlights a significant shift from private car ownership toward a more integrated and sustainable urban transit network.
Driving the Future of Urban Transit
The massive growth in ridership represents a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. Most commuters are now choosing the Dubai Metro as their primary mode of travel to avoid road congestion. On average, the city now supports 2.2 million daily riders across its various modern transport facilities.
This surge confirms that the RTA‘s strategic vision is successfully positioning public transport as the community’s first choice.
| Transport Mode | Riders in 2025 | Percentage Share |
| Dubai Metro | 294.7 Million | 37% |
| Public Taxis | 209 Million | 26% |
| Public Buses | 197.2 Million | 25% |
| Shared Mobility | 72.9 Million | 9% |
Mapping the Busiest Hubs
Certain stations have emerged as critical nodes for the daily flow of thousands of passengers. The Red and Green lines continue to provide a seamless connection between residential districts and major commercial centers.
The data shows that the Dubai Metro infrastructure is well-equipped to handle even the highest peak-period demands efficiently.
- BurJuman Station: Recorded the highest volume with 17.8 million riders last year.
- Al Rigga Station: Followed closely as a major hub with 13.8 million users.
- Union Station: Led the Red Line, specifically with 13.6 million passengers.
- Sharaf DG Station: Ranked as the busiest stop on the Green Line network.
As reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), October was the network’s busiest month, with 72.8 million riders. This period reflects the seasonal return to work and school after the summer months.
Strategic Shifts in Mobility Patterns
The decline in taxi usage share for the 3rd consecutive year is a positive indicator for the city. It suggests that more people are moving toward mass transit options, such as the Dubai Metro, for their daily commutes.
Additionally, shared mobility services, such as app-based vehicles, saw a massive 30% increase in usage in 2025. These figures demonstrate that Dubai is successfully building a future-ready ecosystem that reduces reliance on private vehicles.
Conclusion
The record-breaking 802 million riders in 2025 prove that the Dubai Metro is truly the backbone of the city. With upcoming expansions like the Blue Line, the network is set to become even more accessible for everyone.
This growth supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan by fostering a sustainable and highly efficient environment for all. What do you think about this massive jump in public transport use? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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