RTA, inks deal with US-based Cruise to operate self-driving vehicles in Dubai

RTA, inks deal with US-based Cruise to operate self-driving vehicles in Dubai

UAE - Mubasher: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has entered into an agreement with Cruise, a US-based autonomous vehicle company, to operate self-driving taxis and ride-hailing services in Dubai.

Under the agreement, Dubai will become the world's first non-US city where Cruise commercially operates self-driving vehicles, according to a press release on Monday.

This step comes in line with Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy that aims to convert 25% of the emirate's total trips into self-driving transport trips by 2030.

Cruise will start operating self-driving vehicles in Dubai in 2023, and their number will increase to 4,000 by 2030.

As part of its 2030 vision, Dubai seeks to cut transportation costs by AED 900 million annually, save AED 1.5 billion a year, reduce environmental pollution by 12%, generate AED 18 billion in annual economic returns.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, commented: "This agreement, which is the first of its kind worldwide between a government entity and a leading developer of autonomous vehicles, and autonomous vehicle technology, is a major step towards realising Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy."