Dubai Just Made Hailing a Cab a Lot Easier – Here’s Why

Dubai ride-hailing app Zed adds Dubai Taxi Corporation and National Taxi, taking its in-app fleet to 10,764 vehicles and covering over 80% of taxis across the emirate.

Abbas Jaffar Ali
By
Abbas Jaffar Ali
Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN...
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Dubai Just Made Hailing a Cab a Lot Easier - Here's Why
TL;DR
  • Zed adds DTC and National Taxi, bringing its in-app fleet to 10,764.
  • Coverage now spans over 80% of Dubai’s taxis.
  • Punctual-pickup guarantee for pre-scheduled premium rides is live.

Zed, the Dubai-born ride-hailing app, has brought Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) and National Taxi (NT) onto its platform. That pushes Zed’s in-app fleet to 10,764 vehicles and gives riders access to more than 80% of taxis in Dubai—including Kabi by Al Ghurair—inside one app.

And yes, this should mean shorter ETAs, fewer cancellations and better coverage in the areas that usually get ignored. That’s the promise, at least.

What’s new and why it matters

Zed signs DTC and NT, becomes the host to Dubai’s second-largest taxi fleet, and covers the majority of cabs city-wide.

  • Partnership adds 10,764 vehicles to Zed.
  • Now hosts the top three fleets (DTC, National Taxi, and Kabi by Al Ghurair).
  • More than 80% of Dubai taxis are now bookable in Zed.

Zed says blending local tech with established taxi infrastructure should improve reliability. The bigger pool should reduce wait times and cancellations, especially in underserviced neighbourhoods. It also cements Zed as a serious local player in the UAE’s ride-hailing market.

What riders can expect today

Scale and small quality-of-life upgrades you actually feel.

  • Shorter ETAs from a larger fleet.
  • Fewer cancellations and wider coverage across Dubai.
  • Access to professional, licensed drivers via the Zed app.

The deal pulls in drivers who already serve millions of passengers each year and makes them available through one interface. It’s a practical benefit: more cars to match at peak times and in fringe areas, without changing how you book.

How this fits Dubai’s transport goals

Aligns with RTA’s e-hailing target for 2025.

  • Supports the RTA “Smart City 2025” goal to shift 80% of taxi bookings to e-hailing.
  • Adds more electric and hybrid taxis to the app via DTC and NT.

Dubai wants most taxi trips booked digitally. Zed’s app-only approach and the greener taxis entering the pool fit the brief: faster matching, better data and a small nudge towards lower emissions.

What Zed is saying

Local roots, scale with care.

  • CEO Badr Al Ghurair: the tie-up strengthens Dubai’s mobility ecosystem and reflects 25 years of local mobility experience.
  • EVP Abhinav Patwa: mobility should serve the city; partnerships unlock reliable scale while staying customer-first.

The message is simple: keep it local, build with established fleets, and focus on everyday reliability rather than flashy features.

Availability

Download and go.

  • Zed is live on iOS and Android.
  • Launch details dated 2 October 2025 (Dubai).

Nothing special to set up; just update or install the app and you’ll see the expanded fleet in search.


How many taxis can I book through Zed now?

Zed says 10,764 vehicles are available in-app.

Does this mean Zed covers most of Dubai’s taxis?

Yes—Zed reports it now hosts the fleets of the top three taxi operators in Dubai, covering over 80% of the emirate’s taxis.

Will wait times actually get shorter?

That’s the aim. Zed states the larger pool should reduce ETAs and cancellations, including in underserved areas.

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Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN to the Middle East. From computers to mobile phones and watches, Abbas is always interested in tech that is smarter and smaller.