Dubai Taxi Company is preparing to place an autonomous cab on the road next month, marking its first passenger journey operated without a human driver.
Chief executive Mansour Al Falasi said the trial run will be carried out in partnership with a global technology provider, describing the initiative as a key step in the company’s operational shift toward advanced mobility systems. He noted that artificial intelligence has become central to the firm’s long-term performance plans, following a recent agreement with PreSite to integrate AI-driven solutions across its services.
The upcoming autonomous rollout comes as the transport operator reports its strongest annual earnings to date. The company posted a net profit of Dhs365 million in 2025, its highest on record, supported by sustained demand across its taxi and motorcycle delivery divisions. Total trips in Dubai increased by 8 percent compared with the previous year, reflecting continued population growth and higher tourist arrivals.
Operational discipline and tighter cost controls were cited as contributing factors behind the results. Al Falasi said internal efficiency measures and expense management strategies helped strengthen financial performance throughout the year.
The company’s board has proposed distributing Dhs142 million in dividends for the second half of the year, equivalent to 5.68 fils per share. Combined with the Dhs160.7 million interim payout issued in August 2025, total dividends for the fiscal year amount to Dhs302.7 million, or 12.11 fils per share—an increase of 7.5 percent compared with 2024.
Fleet capacity expanded significantly over the past 12 months, with the number of vehicles rising by about 18 percent. The company now operates roughly 525 electric vehicles as part of its network and plans to increase that number further next year. Cash reserves currently stand at Dhs330 million.
Part of the company’s investment strategy has focused on its stake in the BOLT platform, which contributed to higher direct and financing costs for 2025. Around 7 million trips were completed through the platform during the year.
Looking beyond Dubai, the operator intends to enter other UAE markets beginning in 2026. Abu Dhabi is expected to be the first target outside Dubai, followed by phased expansion into Ajman and Sharjah across the first and second halves of the year.
