Dubai’s public transportation network achieved an extraordinary milestone during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, transporting a record-breaking 2.84 million passengers throughout the emirate. This remarkable figure represents a substantial 30% increase from the previous year’s ridership, demonstrating the growing reliance on and efficiency of Dubai’s integrated transit systems.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) executed a comprehensive operational strategy in close collaboration with the Dubai Event Security Committee to manage the massive influx of celebrants. The meticulously planned approach included sophisticated traffic management protocols and temporary road closure implementations across key areas of the city.
Detailed ridership statistics reveal the diverse utilization of transportation modes: Metro services on both Red and Green lines accommodated 1.25 million passengers, while Dubai Tram transported 58,052 individuals. Public bus services, including on-demand buses, recorded 503,264 passengers. Taxi services proved essential with 661,538 rides, and marine transport services moved 76,745 passengers across various waterways. Additionally, e-hailing platforms facilitated 286,135 trips, with shared mobility services accounting for 1,489 journeys.
This transportation achievement underscores Dubai’s evolving infrastructure capabilities and its commitment to providing safe, reliable mobility solutions during major international events. The successful coordination reflects the emirate’s position as a global hub capable of managing large-scale gatherings while maintaining public safety and operational excellence.