Dubai Introduces New Taxi Fares

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.