The company sent out an email on Friday to inform about the fare hike. Uber would charge as much as 11 per cent extra for some trips, the American company added.
The hike is Uber’s second this year in the UAE, after a hike in March but the UAE’s market-linked price for the black gold has continued unabated. The country opted for a dynamic pricing with global trends in 2015. But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has messed all economies around the world.
Yet, petrol in UAE is three times more expensive than in Kuwait and almost double the average cost per litre in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, according to a Bloomberg report.
Dynamic pricing
Uber is not alone with Sharjah Taxi also deciding to base their fares with the rise or fall of fuel prices with this month.
The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) said the meter flag down rate will be increased or decreased every month in direct co-relation with the prices. Petrol prices in the UAE have jumped over 56 per cent since January 2022.
Early last month, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, had admitted that prices could go higher as Chinese demand is likely to recover significantly while efforts by Opec+ to raise production were not yielding results fast enough.
The latest data showed Opec+ was running 2.6 million barrels a day short of its production target, Mr Al Mazrouei said at the Middle East and North Africa-Europe Future Energy Dialogue in Jordan.
He expects China, the world’s biggest importer and second largest economy, which has been easing its coronavirus lockdowns, to “come with more consumption”.
“With the pace of consumption we have, we are nowhere near the peak because China is not back yet,” Mr Al Mazrouei said. “The situation is not very encouraging when it comes to the quantities that we can bring. We’re lagging by almost 2.6 million barrels a day and that’s a lot.”
Dubai most expensive city in the Gulf
Meanwhile, Dubai has been ranked among the world’s most expensive cities to live and work in for expatriates this year, according to the Cost of Living survey by Mercer.
The study, which looks at how the rising cost of living has impacted workers’ financial wellbeing in 227 cities worldwide, placed Dubai in the 31st position.
The emirate, which has been seeing a growing influx of millionaires and demand for property recently, emerged as the costliest city in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, beating out the neighbouring cities of Riyadh, which landed in the 103rd position, Jeddah (111th place), Manama (117), Muscat (119), Kuwait City (131) and Doha (133).
Ajman has announced the establishment of a new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre, aimed at streamlining landlord-tenant disputes and strengthening stability in the emirate’s real estate sector.
His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026, formally creating the centre and replacing the existing rental disputes committee.
Clearer, Faster Rental Dispute Resolution
The new law introduces transparent and clearly defined mechanisms for reviewing and adjudicating rental disputes, with the objective of:
Protecting the rights of landlords and tenants
Enhancing confidence in Ajman’s property market
Supporting a stable and attractive investment environment
Jurisdiction and Scope
The specialised centre will have authority over all rental-related disputes between landlords and tenants, including:
Residential and commercial properties
Properties located within free zones
Cases will be handled using procedures aligned with recognised legal and judicial standards, ensuring fairness and consistency.
Boosting Market Stability
Officials said the new centre is designed to:
Speed up dispute resolution
Reduce litigation timelines
Ensure swift and effective justice
The move is expected to contribute to social and economic stability in Ajman’s leasing and real estate sector, while reinforcing investor confidence.
The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) has announced new amendments to Abu Dhabi’s traffic diversion regulations, aimed at improving traffic flow, safety and compliance at construction and roadwork sites across the emirate.
The updated framework strengthens oversight of traffic permits, enhances enforcement powers and introduces clearer procedures for emergency works.
Key Changes to Traffic Diversion Rules
Under the revised regulations:
Definitions related to traffic permits and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been updated to improve clarity
Traffic permits are non-transferable; any attempt to transfer a permit will render it invalid
Emergency works may proceed without prior permit approval, provided all road safety requirements are met
ITC must be notified before emergency work begins, and a formal permit application must be submitted within 24 hours if work exceeds 12 hours
Permit Suspension and Enforcement Powers
The amendments grant ITC expanded authority to:
Temporarily suspend issuing traffic permits based on site conditions or safety risks
Reject extension requests or cancel permits if requirements are not met
Take action against entities that exceed approved timelines or commit repeated administrative violations
The schedule of violations and fines has also been updated to reflect current standards, with conflicting older provisions officially repealed.
Training, Inspections and Compliance
ITC said the changes followed specialised workshops and training programmes for contractors, consultants and relevant stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of safety standards.
The Centre will continue inspection campaigns and field visits, with fines imposed on violators to:
Protect road users and workers
Maintain public safety
Safeguard road infrastructure
Changes to Abu Dhabi’s Darb Road Toll System
Separately, ITC (Abu Dhabi Mobility) confirmed updates to the Darb road toll system.
New Darb Toll Timings
Morning peak: 7am to 9am (unchanged)
Evening peak: 3pm to 7pm
Toll-free: Sundays and official public holidays
The Dh4 toll per gate crossing remains unchanged.
Removal of Toll Caps
The revised system removes:
Daily toll cap of Dh16
Monthly caps of Dh200, Dh150 and Dh100 for first, second and additional vehicles
Exemptions Remain
Existing exemptions continue for eligible groups, including:
People of Determination
Low-income families
Senior citizens and retirees
The Darb system is operated by Q Mobility, a subsidiary of ADQ, in coordination with relevant authorities.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.
The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.
What is Dubai+?
Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:
Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment
The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.
“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Boosting Local Film and Content Production
The Council also reviewed plans to:
Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth
Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.
Next Phase of Growth
Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.
Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.