Dubai recorded 348.1 million public transport journeys in the first half of 2026, marking a 12 per cent decrease compared to the 395.3 million trips recorded in the same period in 2025. This decline, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), reflects the ongoing impact of the Iran war, which began on February 28. The conflict, coupled with a temporary shift towards remote work and distance learning, significantly reduced the number of commuters using public transport. The reduction in passenger numbers is evident in daily averages, with nearly 1.9 million journeys made each day in the first half of 2026, down from 2.18 million in the same period the previous year. The data encompasses a wide range of transportation modes, including the Dubai Metro, tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared mobility services. The Dubai Metro remained the most utilized mode, accounting for 39.2 per cent of all trips, with 136.5 million individual journeys recorded. This represents a 5.1 per cent decrease from the 143.9 million recorded in the first half of 2025. Taxi services saw a sharper decline, with 88.9 million journeys recorded, a 16 per cent drop from the 103.5 million in the prior year. Public bus travel also declined, with 85.1 million trips logged, down from 95.7 million. The Dubai Tram recorded 3.8 million trips, a decrease from 4.9 million. Marine transport services saw a modest drop, with 8.1 million trips recorded, compared to 9.7 million in the first half of 2025. Shared mobility services, including app-based vehicle services and on-demand buses, also experienced a decline, falling from 37.6 million to 25.7 million trips. Despite these challenges, Dubai continues to invest heavily in expanding its public transport infrastructure. The RTA highlighted that 22.3 per cent of all journeys in Dubai were made by public transport in 2025, a significant jump from just 6 per cent in 2006. Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, emphasized the importance of public transport in supporting both residents and visitors, noting that the network's growth strengthens confidence in sustainable mobility. The emirate's population has shown resilience, rebounding after a temporary dip linked to the Iran war. As of the end of June 2026, Dubai's population stood at 4.74 million, reflecting an increase of 157,000 since the start of the year. While the population briefly dropped by 61,000 during the peak of the conflict in March, it recovered steadily, reaching 4.74 million by June. This growth underscores the ongoing attractiveness of Dubai as a destination for residents and businesses. The Dubai Metro's expansion plans highlight the city's commitment to long-term mobility solutions. A new $9 billion Metro Gold Line, costing Dh34 billion, is set to open in 2032, serving over 1.5 million residents. The 42-kilometer underground route will extend the current network by 35 per cent and connect key real estate developments and Etihad Rail services. The Blue Line, another major expansion, is scheduled for completion in 2029, marking the 20th anniversary of the Metro's launch. Meanwhile, the Salik toll authority reported a gradual recovery in traffic levels, with 383.8 million trips recorded in the first half of 2026, a 9.5 per cent decrease from the 424.2 million in the same period in 2025. Ibrahim Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, noted that traffic volumes returned to near-normal levels in June, indicating a positive trend despite the initial impact of the war. Salik's revenue and net profit also saw declines, with total revenue reaching Dh1.412 billion and net profit at Dh704 million, respectively. The interplay between population growth, economic stability, and transportation trends illustrates Dubai's complex response to external shocks. As the city continues to adapt and expand its infrastructure, the challenge remains to balance immediate disruptions with long-term planning. The coming months will likely see further adjustments in both public and private transport sectors as Dubai navigates the aftermath of the Iran war and seeks to restore its vibrant urban life.
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