Dubai has done it again and this time it’s on wheels. Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) and Kabi by Al Ghurair just shook hands on a deal that throws nearly 9,880 taxis into the ride-hailing ring. That’s 6,200 from DTC plus 3,680 from Kabi, now united on your phone screens through Bolt and Zed apps. Translation? Whether you’re heading to DXB at 3 AM, zipping to JBR on a Friday night, or catching a ride after Expo events chances are, your cab is closer than ever.
Big move in Dubai mobility: Thousand of taxis get digital liftoff
Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) and Kabi by Al Ghurair have signed a strategic alliance to integrate their fleets onto major e-hailing platforms – Bolt and Zed – combining DTC’s 6,200 taxis with Kabi’s 3,680 for a combined 9,880-vehicle network. The aim: better coverage, shorter waits and smoother digital access for riders across the emirate.The two fleets will appear together on Bolt (the global e-hailing partner DTC has been integrating with) and Zed (the UAE’s homegrown ride-hailing app tied to Al Ghurair). That means when users open either app they should see a much larger pool of nearby taxis. Any new taxis added to either operator will be automatically incorporated into the integrated platform network, so the pool grows without extra manual steps. DTC’s leadership framed the move as a way to “embed taxis more deeply into the digital ride-hailing experience,” while Kabi’s management called the alliance a “pivotal step” in raising service efficiency across the city.
Meet the companies behind the mega-merge
Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) is one of the emirate’s most recognisable brands, operating more than 6,200 taxis under the Roads & Transport Authority’s (RTA) umbrella. Over the years, DTC has been steadily pushing into the digital space, integrating its fleet with e-hailing apps like Bolt and upgrading vehicles with cashless payments, smart meters, and eco-friendly models as part of Dubai’s sustainability targets.On the other side is Kabi, the new face of what was once known as Cars Taxi, now rebranded under the Al Ghurair group. With around 3,680 vehicles, Kabi has been refreshing its operations and brand identity to match Dubai’s modern mobility landscape. Its partnership with the local e-hailing app Zed is a big part of that push, giving the company a more tech-forward edge.
Why riders and drivers should notice faster pickups, broader coverage, and more bookings
- Shorter waiting times & greater availability: By pooling nearly 10,000 vehicles, the supply of taxis visible to riders spikes especially useful during peak hours, events and at busy hubs such as airports and tourist areas. Operators say this should reduce waits and the frequency of “no cars nearby” messages.
- Better utilisation for drivers: For drivers it can mean steadier demand (more app options funneling passengers) and fewer idle miles between fares, as the platforms match trips across a larger aggregate fleet. DTC’s recent integrations with e-hailing platforms were explicitly aimed at improving utilisation and revenue per vehicle.
- Payment and customer experience: Earlier fleet digitisation moves (such as the large rollout of DTC taxis onto Bolt earlier in 2025) included new payment and promo features consumers may see similar conveniences across the combined fleets.
How this fits Dubai’s smart-mobility roadmap
- RTA targets and the bigger policy picture: The consolidation lines up with the Roads & Transport Authority’s goal of shifting 80% of Dubai taxi trips to e-hailing as the emirate digitises urban mobility. The DTC–Kabi tie-up accelerates that transition by putting more regulated taxis into the apps people already use.
- Part of DTC’s five-year push: The deal sits inside DTC’s wider 2025–2029 strategy to expand digital services, sustainability and new mobility offerings, a push that already saw thousands of DTC vehicles go live on Bolt earlier this year.
- Kabi’s rebrand and market positioning: Kabi (the rebranded Cars Taxi under Al Ghurair) has been rolling out a refreshed look and wider operations across the city, positioning itself as a modern, regulated private operator; joining forces with DTC on platforms gives Kabi immediate scale and digital reach.
What it means for you
For residents and visitors alike, the change is something you’ll feel in everyday life. If you’re part of the nightlife crowd, you won’t need to chase taxis outside City Walk or JBR at midnight, the car will come straight to you with a quick tap. Families benefit too, with bigger taxis and digital payment options now easier to secure through the apps. Tourists arriving during Dubai’s busy peak season will find the experience closer to Uber-level convenience but with the reliability of regulated local services. And for everyday commuters caught in the rush-hour crunch, the expanded fleet means less waiting, fewer booking failures, and more peace of mind. In short, this deal is Dubai’s way of saying: we’ve got you covered, wherever you’re heading.
