By Desmond Nleya
Renewed agreement brings more than 7,700 additional taxis onto Careem’s Hala platform as Dubai accelerates its shift towards app-based bookings.
DUBAI – Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) and National Taxi have renewed their strategic partnership with Hala, the e-hailing joint venture between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, for another five years.
The agreement will see more than 7,700 taxis operated by the two companies, excluding airport vehicles, remain available for bookings through Hala on the Careem application.
The renewal strengthens one of Dubai’s established e-hailing partnerships as the emirate pushes to modernise its transport sector and expand digital access to taxi services.
Since its launch in 2019, Hala has facilitated nearly 120 million trips through DTC and National Taxi. The platform currently connects more than 26,000 Captains and 13,000 taxis.
The partnership has enabled traditional taxi operators to reach a wider customer base through digital booking services, while improving fleet utilisation and accessibility for passengers.
For Dubai Taxi Company, the agreement provides continued access to Hala’s expanding customer network, creating additional opportunities for drivers beyond conventional street-hailing.
Hala, meanwhile, benefits from the extensive fleets and operational capacity of Dubai’s established taxi operators, helping strengthen service availability and reduce passenger waiting times.
The agreement also supports the RTA’s ambitious target of shifting 80 per cent of taxi journeys to e-booking by 2030.
Dubai Taxi Company Group CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi said the renewed agreement would allow the partners to build on their achievements, deepen operational integration and improve service quality.
Hala CEO Khaled Nuseibeh highlighted the platform’s growth from an initial pilot involving a few thousand vehicles into one of the region’s established e-hailing services, acknowledging the contribution of its Captains.
The five-year extension reinforces Dubai’s commitment to technology-driven mobility solutions and greater integration between traditional transport operators and digital platforms.
Source: Dubai Media Office
