Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has rolled out new pricing rules that impact passengers who book taxis through approved smart apps. The update introduces a higher minimum fare for e-booking while keeping roadside hailing prices unchanged. The revised structure took effect following the latest announcement made on Wednesday, November 6.
The minimum fare for app-booked taxis has increased from Dhs12 to Dhs13. These adjustments are designed to better manage demand during busy hours and enhance service availability, especially when booking digitally through apps such as Careem.
The new fare structure varies depending on the time of day and the day of the week. From Monday to Thursday, peak booking hours are between 8am to 9.59am and 4pm to 7.59pm, where the flagfall is Dhs5 and the booking fee is Dhs7.5. Off-peak bookings will carry a Dhs5 flagfall with a Dhs4 booking fee, while night hours starting from 5.59pm to 10pm raise the flagfall to Dhs5.5 and booking fee to Dhs4.5.
On Fridays, peak periods extend slightly until 9.59pm but follow the same Dhs5 flagfall and Dhs7.5 booking fee. Night hours from midnight to 5.59am will apply a Dhs5.5 flagfall and Dhs4.5 booking fee.
Weekend fares for Saturday and Sunday also follow updated timings. During peak hours from 4pm to 9.59pm the flagfall remains Dhs5, but between 10pm and 11.59pm it increases to Dhs5.5, both accompanied by a Dhs7.5 booking fee. Off-peak timings maintain a Dhs5 flagfall and Dhs4 booking fee, while late-night hours continue to be charged at Dhs5.5 flagfall with a Dhs4.5 booking fee.
The fare adjustment aims to streamline availability during high-demand periods while keeping roadside taxi usage unaffected. Passengers who frequently rely on app bookings are encouraged to review the revised structure to understand when travel may cost slightly more.