UAE
Dubai adds booking fee to driverless taxi service
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has implemented a new charge for its Cruise autonomous vehicle service, affecting the total cost for users in designated zones.
Dubai's RTA has introduced a new booking fee for its Cruise driverless taxi service, altering the cost structure for residents and tourists. This means users will now pay an upfront, non-refundable charge in addition to the per-kilometre fare for every ride booked through the service's dedicated app.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a new booking fee for its Cruise driverless taxi service, altering the cost structure for residents and tourists using the autonomous vehicles. This change means users will now pay an upfront, non-refundable charge in addition to the per-kilometre fare for every ride booked through the service's dedicated app. ## What has changed? The RTA has implemented a flat AED 8 booking fee for every trip taken in a Cruise autonomous vehicle. According to the authority, this fee is charged to a user's linked payment method upon confirming a ride request in the official app. This "dispatch fee" is separate from the final trip cost, which is calculated based on the distance travelled. The per-kilometre rate for the driverless service is approximately 30% higher than a standard Dubai taxi, comparable to a limousine service. The booking fee is non-refundable, similar to dispatch fees for other premium RTA services. ## Who is affected? The new fee affects all users of the Cruise driverless taxi service. The service currently operates within specific zones, primarily in high-density areas of the city. These include: - Jumeirah 1 - Downtown…