Dubai taxi fares reduced amid lower petrol prices

Change in rate means a journey from Dubai Marina to Downtown Dubai will be about Dh5 cheaper

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  Dubai taxis have recorded a surge in the number of passengers. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Numbers were boosted during the World Cup and winter season as tourists rush to the UAE

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  Flagging a taxi from the side of the road is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult

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  During peak travel times, it's rare to find a taxi sitting idle

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  Booking has become essential to avoid long waiting times for a taxi

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has reduced its taxi fares as petrol prices drop.

The authority said the new tariff was now Dh1.97 per kilometre, down from Dh2.19 per kilometre.

The Dh12 minimum fare remains in place, the authority told The National on Thursday.

The change in tariff means a journey from Dubai Marina to Downtown Dubai — about 20km — will be almost Dh5 cheaper.

Petrol prices on the decline

In July, when petrol prices reached their highest level since they were liberalised in 2015, the authority increased the tariff from Dh1.99 per kilometre to Dh2.21 per kilometre.

Except for a marginal increase in November, prices have been in decline since last summer.

The latest petrol prices, announced in December, were the lowest in 11 months, dropping by about 16 per cent across all prices.

• Super 98: Dh2.78 — from Dh3.30 in December

• Special 95: Dh2.67— from Dh3.18 in December

• Diesel: Dh3.29 — from Dh3.74 in December

• E-plus 91: Dh2.59 — from Dh3.11 in December