Page 7 - U4SSC Case study: Urban mobility, June 2020

E-hailing initiative in Dubai

Author: RTA (Roads and Transport Authority)

Introduction

Background

The Emirate of Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates. The
City has a resident population of 2.9 million (2017) along with an annual number of touristic visits of
around 15.8 million (2017).

Emerging technological advances and upcoming electro-mobility modes are affecting cities around
the world. New disruptive technologies have transformed transportation and have challenged its
conventional modes. The significant role of e-hailing (ride-hailing) platforms through smart apps has
impacted most of the leading cities around the world, as well as Dubai. Being a leading smart city,
Dubai is influenced by global urban mobility indices and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
needs to accommodate innovation in the city‘s mobility system.

Due to the rapid expansion of Dubai's spatial landscape and population growth, there is a constant
demand for complex expansion and improvements in Dubai's transportation network and infrastructure.
The RTA is responsible for providing overall legislation, regulation, planning, and governance of the
mobility system in the city, along with operations and the maintenance of certain public transport
modes.

The RTA's mission is to develop integrated and sustainable transportation systems and provide first-
class services to all stakeholders to support Dubai's comprehensive growth plans through preparing
policies and legislations; to adapt technologies and innovative approaches; and to implement world-
class practices and standards

Challenge and response

The advent of e-hailing services in cities has brought with it significant security and safety challenges,
along with a negative impact on the traditional taxi industry and drivers. The e-hailing companies tend
to work outside the existing legislative frameworks and have a less collaborative approach with cities'
regulatory authorities.

The e-hailing project in Dubai provided a win-win solution for the city authorities, the e-hailing
companies, the taxi industry, the limousine sector and the end-users by adopting a customized
partnership framework.

The RTA engaged with the private sector to collectively create a tangible ‘smart’ solution to fill the
market gap while mitigating the concerns and challenges posed by the e-hailing services. The RTA

Case study: Urban mobility, June 2020 1