The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai (RTA) has witnessed an impressive 20 percent increase in digital transactions, reaching a total of 814 million compared to 676 million in 2021, according to Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors.
The revenue generated in 2022 amounted to $952.9 million (AED 3.5 billion), representing a growth of 10 percent from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of registered users surged by 30 percent, reaching 1.3 million users, while in-app transactions skyrocketed by 197 percent, totaling 3.7 million transactions.
Al Tayer emphasised that RTA is committed to digitalisation projects aligned with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The aim is to enhance Dubai’s well-being, increase its global competitiveness, and provide residents with multiple options to make Dubai the best city for living in the world. These initiatives are also in line with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city and promote digitisation throughout the emirate.
Al Tayer stated, “RTA is tirelessly working to realise the vision of our wise leaders in transforming Dubai into a smart city that leverages cutting-edge technologies to provide excellent services, positioning Dubai as the world leader in roads and transportation.”
These initiatives are aligned with RTA’s vision of becoming the world leader in seamless and sustainable mobility, demonstrating a commitment to offering safe and efficient mobility solutions driven by advanced networks, innovative services, and sustainable transportation infrastructure.
The positive results achieved by RTA are attributed to the adoption of agile management techniques in digitisation projects, effective departmental communication, swift adaptation to technology trends, and ambitious targets. For instance, the S’hail app witnessed a remarkable 174 percent increase in usage, with over 20 million public transport journeys planned in 2022 compared to 2021. The number of app users also rose by 73 percent in the last two years.
In 2022, RTA introduced various digital services, including smart apps and new features across multiple channels. Notably, the Vehicle Purchase and Sale service enabled customers to conduct transactions without physical presence and received the prestigious ‘UAE Innovates’ Award in the Automating Government Transactions category. Parking services were enhanced with features such as the ability to pay parking fees using Apple Pay, which facilitated over 2.2 million transactions. Customers were also informed about free parking days during holidays to improve transparency. Additionally, RTA introduced a feature that allows users to instantly access their vehicle registration cards through the “Apple Pass” wallet.
RTA’s foray into artificial intelligence began in 2018 with the launch of Mahboub Chatbot. This platform serves as a primary channel for delivering RTA’s services through various digital channels, including smart apps, the RTA website, and WhatsApp. Offering 364 services and features, Mahboub engaged in over two million conversations in 2022. One of its popular services allowed customers to pay parking fees via WhatsApp, saving them the costs of a text message. Furthermore, the platform facilitated services like driver’s license and vehicle registration renewal, enabling customers to request new registration cards for direct delivery.
