Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a new dynamic fare structure for taxis booked via partner apps. The update applies to Careem (Hala), S’hail, Bolt, Zed, and the DTC Smart App.
Street-hail taxi fares remain unchanged. Only app-based bookings are affected.
How the new pricing works
- Minimum fare for app bookings: now Dh13 (up from Dh12).
- Booking fee: time-based, from Dh4.00 (off-peak) to Dh7.50 (peak).
- Flat booking fees of Dh10 and Dh12: discontinued.
- Base fare (flagfall): unchanged at Dh5.00 in peak hours and Dh5.50 at night.
Defined time slots
Monday–Thursday:
- Peak: 8:00–10:00 AM and 4:00–8:00 PM
- Off-peak: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM and 8:00–10:00 PM
- Night: 10:00 PM–6:00 AM
Friday:
- Peak: 4:00 PM–12:00 AM (midnight)
What dynamic pricing means
- Prices align with demand.
- Higher booking fees during rush hours help bring more drivers online.
- Lower fees during quiet times encourage riders to book through apps.
- The model improves transparency and matches global ride-hailing practices.
Street-hail taxi fares (unchanged)
- Base fare: Dh5.00 (day, 6:00 AM–10:00 PM), Dh5.50 (night, 10:00 PM–6:00 AM).
- Minimum fare: Dh12.
- Per-km rate: typically Dh2.14–Dh2.26, adjusted monthly with fuel prices.
Airport and event fares
- Trips from DXB: higher flagfall of Dh25; per-km roughly Dh2.14–Dh2.33.
- Major events (Expo City, Global Village, DWTC): special starting fares, often Dh20–25, to reflect demand.
Other standard charges
- Salik tolls: Dh4 per gate.
- Waiting time: Dh0.50 per minute when stationary.
- Per-km rates: vary slightly each month with RTA’s fuel price index.
- Example: A 20 km DXB–Dubai Marina trip with one or two Salik gates typically costs Dh60–70, depending on time and traffic.
Why RTA made the change
- Supports smart mobility and data-driven transport.
- Balances demand and driver availability across the day.
- Makes pricing clearer and more responsive to real conditions.
What commuters will notice
- App fares will vary by time: cheaper off-peak, higher at peak.
- Street-hail riders will see no change.
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