Figuring out How to Request Accessible Public Transport in the UAE is simpler than most people expect, but it helps to know the right channels before you travel. Whether you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi, boarding assistance at a metro station, or a bus with a working ramp, the transport authorities in each emirate have set procedures — and a little advance planning goes a long way.
This guide focuses on practical steps: who to call, what to ask for, how far in advance to book, and which cards or documents make the process smoother. We cover Dubai’s RTA network in detail, then Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Quick Answer
In Dubai, you generally do not need to book anything to use the Metro or tram — all stations are step-free, and station staff can help with lifts, gates, and boarding. For door-to-door trips, book a wheelchair-accessible taxi through the RTA call centre on 04-2080808 or a ride-hailing app, ideally a few hours ahead (a day ahead for accessible vans). In Abu Dhabi, call Abu Dhabi Mobility on 600535353; in Sharjah on 600525252; in Ajman on 80070; in Ras Al Khaimah, book via the Careem app or RAKTA’s contact centre. These numbers are published on the UAE government’s public transport page.
Who These Services Are For
In the UAE, accessible transport services are built around “people of determination” — the country’s official term for people with disabilities. The services generally cover wheelchair users, people with visual or hearing impairments, and travellers with reduced mobility. In practice, the same help is often extended to senior citizens, pregnant travellers, and anyone recovering from an injury or surgery who cannot manage stairs or long walks comfortably.
You do not usually need to prove anything to get basic help, like assistance from metro station staff or boarding a low-floor bus. For fare concessions and pre-booked specialist vehicles, you will normally need a recognised card — in Dubai that is the Sanad card (or a People of Determination card issued by the Ministry of Family or the Ministry of Community Empowerment). More on cards below.
How to Request Accessible Public Transport on the Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro is the easiest win: accessibility is built in rather than booked. All stations have lifts, tactile floor paths for visually impaired passengers, audio announcements, and dedicated wheelchair spaces in every train carriage. Ticket booths are designed to be reachable from a wheelchair, and station entrances have parking bays reserved for people of determination nearby.
To request help at a station, you do not need to call ahead. Approach any member of station staff or use the help point / intercom at the gates and lifts. Staff can:
- Open the wide accessible gate for you instead of the standard ticket barrier
- Guide you to the lift and make sure it is working before you travel
- Help you board and position your wheelchair in the designated space
- Alert staff at your destination station so someone is ready when you arrive
The Dubai Tram works the same way: step-free platforms, staff assistance on request, and no advance booking required.
One practical note: lifts occasionally go out of service for maintenance. If you rely on a specific station’s lift, check with station staff or the RTA before setting out, especially late at night when alternative routes are thinner. RTA has stated that the large majority of its facilities have been retrofitted to accessibility standards — you can read more in RTA’s own update on accessibility retrofits.
Booking a Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi in Dubai
For door-to-door journeys, Dubai Taxi Corporation runs wheelchair-accessible taxis designed for people of determination — vehicles fitted with boarding lifts or ramps, wheelchair restraints, and room for accompanying passengers. These are sometimes called “Special Wheel” vehicles, and they operate around the clock across the emirate, including at Dubai International Airport’s terminals.
You have three main ways to request one:
- RTA call centre: call 04-2080808 and ask specifically for a wheelchair-accessible taxi or van. Say what type of wheelchair or mobility aid you use and whether you need a van rather than a car.
- Ride-hailing apps: accessible taxi options can be booked through apps such as Careem, and RTA has promoted booking “people of determination” taxi and van categories through the Bolt app. If you hold a Sanad card, register it in your app profile — RTA has run promotions giving registered card holders automatic fare discounts on these trips.
- Airport ranks: accessible taxis are typically stationed at Dubai International’s terminals, but at busy times you may wait. If your flight arrival time is fixed, booking ahead is the safer move — our guide to getting to the airport by public transport covers accessible options for airport runs too.
How far ahead should you book? For a standard accessible taxi, a few hours’ notice usually works; for an accessible van (for larger power wheelchairs, or when travelling with family plus luggage), book the day before if you can. Cancellations happen less often than with regular taxis, but the accessible fleet is smaller, so peak hours — Friday evenings, rainy days, major events — can stretch waiting times.
On fares: accessible taxis charge the standard Dubai taxi meter rates, not a premium — though tolls still apply where the route passes through Salik gates, the same as any taxi trip. Sanad card holders should ask about current discounts when booking, as promotions change.
Requesting Accessible Buses in Dubai
Dubai’s public buses are low-floor with ramps and designated wheelchair spaces, so most city routes need no advance request at all — you board at the middle door where the driver deploys the ramp. If the ramp on a particular bus is not working, drivers will generally help you wait for the next bus on the route, which rarely takes long on busy corridors.
For intercity buses (for example Dubai to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah), the situation is mixed: coaches vary, and not every departure has a lift. If you need guaranteed accessible seating on an intercity route, contact the operator before you travel to ask which departures are equipped. This is where our broader guide to public transport accessibility services is useful background — it maps out which modes have what facilities so you can plan the right request for each leg.
Other Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah
Abu Dhabi: Call Abu Dhabi Mobility on 600535353 or use the Abu Dhabi Taxi app to request an accessible vehicle. Explain your needs when booking — the dispatch team will match you with a suitable car. Abu Dhabi’s public buses are equipped for wheelchair users, with ramps and priority spaces.
Sharjah: Call 600525252 to book a taxi and ask for an accessible vehicle when you call. Sharjah’s intercity and city buses have designated spaces for passengers with disabilities, though as with Dubai’s coaches, it pays to confirm for longer routes.
Ajman: Call 80070 or book through the Route app. Ajman’s fleet is smaller, so booking ahead matters more here than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Ras Al Khaimah: RAKTA, the emirate’s transport authority, has been expanding its dedicated accessible taxi fleet — vehicles fitted with wheelchair lifts, secure restraints, and drivers trained to assist people of determination. Request one through RAKTA’s contact centre. For regular trips, taxis can also be booked via the Careem app. RAKTA also operates a card scheme (the Saqr Gold Card) giving people of determination free travel on internal public buses — ask the authority about current eligibility.
What to Have Ready When You Request
Whether you are calling a dispatch centre or booking in an app, having these details ready speeds everything up:
- Your exact pickup address and a landmark the driver will recognise
- Your destination, including which entrance (hospitals and malls have several)
- The type of mobility aid — manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, scooter, walker — and its rough size if it is large
- How many people are travelling with you
- Whether you need a car or a van
- Your Sanad or People of Determination card number, if you are claiming a discount
- A mobile number where the driver can reach you on arrival
Cards, Discounts, and Documents
The single most useful document is a recognised disability card. In Dubai, the Sanad card is the key that unlocks fare concessions and discounts on accessible taxi bookings. People of Determination cards issued by the Ministry of Family or the Ministry of Community Empowerment are also accepted for several RTA concessions. Applications typically require your Emirates ID, a medical report, and passport-style photos — so if your ID is close to expiry, sort out your Emirates ID renewal first to avoid delays.
What the cards get you changes over time, so treat the following as a starting point and confirm current terms on the RTA or relevant authority website:
| Card / scheme | Where it applies | Typical benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Sanad card | Dubai (RTA) | Fare concessions on public transport; discounts on accessible taxi bookings and some RTA services |
| Ministry-issued People of Determination card | Dubai (RTA) | Accepted for several RTA concessions, including licensing-service discounts |
| Saqr Gold Card | Ras Al Khaimah (RAKTA) | Free travel on internal public buses for people of determination |
| Personalised nol card (registered) | Dubai (RTA) | Required for concession fares; keep it topped up before travelling |
Visitors to the UAE should know that concession cards are generally for residents. If you are visiting, you will pay standard fares, but all the physical accessibility — lifts, ramps, accessible taxis — is available to you on the same basis.
If Your Request Doesn’t Go to Plan
Most requests go smoothly, but it helps to know the fallback options. If an accessible taxi is not available when you need one, ask the dispatcher for an estimated wait and whether a regular taxi with a large boot could work as a stopgap (fine for folding manual wheelchairs, not for power chairs). If a metro lift is out of service, station staff can usually suggest the nearest step-free alternative station — often one stop away.
For complaints or unresolved problems, each authority has a feedback channel: RTA’s call centre and app in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Mobility’s helpline in the capital. Note the booking reference or vehicle number when you complain — it makes follow-up far faster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to book in advance to use the Dubai Metro as a wheelchair user?
No. The Metro and tram are designed for independent use — lifts, tactile paths, audio announcements, and wheelchair spaces are built in. Just ask station staff for help if you need it; no advance request is required.
How far ahead should I book a wheelchair-accessible taxi?
A few hours ahead is usually enough for a standard accessible taxi in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For accessible vans, medical appointments, or airport pickups at peak times, book the day before. In smaller emirates with fewer vehicles, earlier is always better.
Is there an extra charge for accessible taxis?
No — accessible taxis in Dubai charge the standard metered fare, and normal toll rules apply. Some promotions give Sanad card holders discounts on these trips, so ask when booking.
Can tourists use accessible public transport in the UAE?
Yes. All the physical facilities — lifts, ramps, accessible taxis, priority seating — are available to visitors. Fare concessions tied to disability cards are generally for residents, so tourists should expect standard fares.
What is the Sanad card, and how do I get one?
The Sanad card is Dubai’s card for people of determination, issued for RTA fare concessions and service discounts. Applications go through the RTA or the Community Development Authority and typically need your Emirates ID and a medical report. Check the RTA website for the current application process.
What should I do if a bus ramp isn’t working?
Tell the driver — they will usually help you catch the next bus on the route. If it happens repeatedly on the same route, report it to the transport authority with the route number, time, and bus number so it gets fixed.
The Bottom Line
Requesting accessible public transport in the UAE mostly comes down to using the right channel for each situation: walk up and ask at metro and tram stations, call the dispatch centre or use an app for accessible taxis, and contact the operator ahead of time for intercity coaches. Get a Sanad or equivalent card if you are a resident, keep your Emirates ID current, and book vans and medical trips a day early. Do that, and the system generally takes care of the rest.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.