Dubai Updates Taxi Fares with Peak Rates
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced new taxi fares for rides booked through smart apps, effective immediately. These changes do not apply to customers hailing taxis directly on the street.
The minimum taxi fare has increased from Dh12 to Dh13. The RTA has also introduced new dynamic peak-hour rates and booking fees that vary depending on the day and time:
- Monday to Thursday peak hours are 8am to 9:59am and 4pm to 7:59pm. During these times, commuters pay a fixed Dh5 flagfall and a Dh7.5 peak-hour booking fee.
- Friday peak hours extend from 8am to 9:59am and 4pm to 9:59pm with the same flagfall and booking fee. From 10pm to 11:59pm, the flagfall increases to Dh5.5.
- On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), peak hours are 4pm to 9:59pm and 10pm to 11:59pm. The flagfall is Dh5 in the early peak and Dh5.5 during the late-night slot, with a fixed Dh7.5 booking fee.
- Off-peak and night hours maintain a Dh5 flagfall with booking fees varying between Dh4 and Dh4.5.
The fare fluctuations reflect dynamic pricing, driven by demand during busy periods like rush hours, which accounts for longer travel times and congestion. This system applies only to app-booked taxis; street-hail fares remain unchanged with a minimum fare of Dh12.
In addition, Dubai Airport taxis start at Dh25, and special event days may have fares as high as Dh20 to Dh25 to manage demand near venues like Expo City and Global Village. The RTA also considers variable tolls and waiting times in fare calculations.
These changes aim to enhance fare transparency and service quality, ensuring fair pricing aligned with demand patterns throughout the day.
