Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revised the peak hours for its cabs. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revised the peak hours for its cabs. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revised the peak hours for its cabs. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revised the peak hours for its cabs. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE

Transport

Dubai's RTA revises peak hours for taxis to reflect new weekend

Fares for peak and off-peak hours are unchanged

The National

February 01, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revised the peak hours for taxis in line with the new weekend.

A base fare of Dh12 will be charged from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, Monday to Thursday. Off-peak charges for booking a regular or a family taxi will be Dh8 for the rest of the hours during the day and Dh9 for night hours.

The base price for flagging a cab is Dh5.

On Friday, which is a half-day for the public sector in the country, the peak base fare will be levied from 8am to 10am and from 4pm to 12pm.

Over the new weekend — Saturday to Sunday — the peak hours are from 4pm to 12pm.

“The prices for peak and off-peak hours remain the same, irrespective of the day. The fares have not been revised, only the peak hours have been changed”, an RTA representative told The National.

The running metre charges for city taxis are Dh1.82 per kilometre, said an RTA call centre agent.

The waiting charges for taxis in Dubai are Dh0.50 per minute.

The basic fare for airport taxis is Dh25.

“RTA would like to inform you about the adjustment of peak times for taxis in Dubai in accordance with the decision to change the days of the weekend. You can book online during the mentioned times for an easy and comfortable journey,” RTA said in a tweet on Monday.

For In Safe Hands taxis, a service for families, women, and children, the basic cost is Dh25, which is applicable at any time of the day, and the fare is charged at Dh1.96 per kilometre.

There is also a refundable deposit of Dh200, which is paid before the start of the service. An extra Dh20 will be charged for commutes outside Dubai and there is a waiting fee of Dh0.50 per minute. Salik will be paid by the customer.

Dubai taxis see winter surge in passengers: in pictures

  • Dubai taxis have recorded a surge in the number of passengers. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dubai taxis have recorded a surge in the number of passengers. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Numbers were boosted during the World Cup and winter season as tourists rush to the UAE
    Numbers were boosted during the World Cup and winter season as tourists rush to the UAE
  • Flagging a taxi from the side of the road is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult
    Flagging a taxi from the side of the road is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult
  • During peak travel times, it's rare to find a taxi sitting idle
    During peak travel times, it's rare to find a taxi sitting idle
  • Booking has become essential to avoid long waiting times for a taxi
    Booking has become essential to avoid long waiting times for a taxi
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: February 01, 2022, 4:43 AM