More than 2 million people use public transport each day in Dubai. As the United Arab Emirates’ fastest-growing region, moving people to and from work, shops, leisure activities, and more sounds like a potentially lucrative business… and it is!
Can you start your own bus rental business in Dubai? Absolutely!
In this article, we’ll jump into the details you need to know to get a transport license and get your bus rental business rolling forward. We’ll look at the following areas:
- Bus rental business in Dubai and the UAE – An overview
- Overview of the transportation industry in Dubai
- How to start a bus rental business in Dubai – Step by step
- Cost of starting a bus rental business in Dubai
- Marketing strategies for bus rental business in Dubai
- Business setup in Dubai with Trade License Zone
Bus rental business in Dubai and the UAE – An overview
The bus rental business in Dubai and the UAE is growing from strength to strength each year. Whether it be for short-term or long-term, bus rental services are in high demand – and this market demand continues to increase with a greater number of tourists, events, travel, and local business needs. This industry serves a wide range of customers, including tourists, corporate clients, schools, universities, and UAE government agencies.
Starting a bus rental company in Dubai is undoubtedly a profitable business venture, thanks to an excellent government support ecosystem geared to boosting business in the region. To operate in the UAE, bus rental companies must have a trade license issued by the National Trasport Authority (NTA) and a commercial license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). These government agencies regulate the industry while offering support structures and transparency for businesses.
Dubai boasts a large pool of qualified bus drivers, mechanics, fleet managers, and other transport industry-related staff to help build your business and operate as best as possible.
The scope for growth of your business is enormous. One of the defining aspects of the transport industry in Dubai is its breadth. You can choose from various bus types, such as luxury coaches, minibuses, shuttle buses, or inner-city buses. You can dive into a niche to specialise in one type of bus and its related services, or you can focus on certain types of bus users, or general bus rental services via a fleet comprising various bus types. The choices are endless for your transport company in Dubai.
Dubai is a bustling and ever-expanding city: an efficient, reliable, and a competitively priced bus rental business will never sit idle in the UAE.
Overview of the transportation industry in Dubai
Dubai’s transport industry is a major contributor to the city’s economy and infrastructure. Its rapidly growing population and tourism arrivals have moulded a fantastic highway system, road links, bridges, tunnels, and a robust public transport system.
The public transport system includes buses, taxes, water taxis, and a metro network operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
There are many transportation companies operating in Dubai and the UAE to serve the needs of locals and tourists. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also popular modes of transport in Dubai. In fact, about 10,000 taxis are operating here, with services such as Uber and Careem dominating the local ride-hailing market.
Across logistics and other commercial sectors, the transport industry in Dubai is dynamic and offers a vast scope for growth.
How to start a bus rental business in Dubai – Step by step
Transportation is a profitable business sector in Dubai. Here are the critical steps you must take to start a transport business in Dubai.
Step 1: Partner with Trade License Zone
Partnering with a local company setup agency is the first step to opening any business in Dubai. A bus rental business must follow strict company formation structures and regulations. The specialists at Trade License Zone will manage all aspects of your company formation process, specialist transport operating licenses and guide you on the various governmental and municipal trade regulations for working in the UAE.
Step 2: Choose a Business Structure for your Transportation Business in UAE
There are two types of business jurisdictions in Dubai: Free Zones and Mainland. Free Zones are special economic zones created by the government dedicated to specific industries. They offer tax benefits, support services tailored to particular industry needs, and help foreign national investors. Each Free Zone issues trade licenses for businesses, and some industries require additional licenses and processes through the DED – which the Free Zone will assist with.
Mainland companies’ key benefit is that businesses can trade directly within the UAE without requiring a branch office, as with Free Zone companies. For a bus rental service, this would be essential. The company setup process is similar to that of Free Zones.
Choosing which is best for your company may seem tricky, but Trade License Zone’s highly skilled staff will guide you with this and all other steps.
Step 3: Choosing and Registering a Business Name
Trade License Zone will help you select the right name for your business. According to the UAE’s Registry Office, business names may not include any offensive or blasphemous language nor any references to Islam or Allah. You can include your name in your company’s name, but you must use it in full rather than just your surname or initials. You need to submit three names in order of preference; the Registry Office will check which one is available.
Step 4: Notarise your Company’s Documents
The following documents are required for Notarisation for your trade license application and business setup for the DED:
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
Step 5: Submit your Business License Application
For a bus rental service in Dubai, you’ll first need to apply for a commercial trade license with the DED before applying for your transportation license with the NTA.
Along with your completed trade license application forms and business plan, you’ll also need to submit the following documentation:
- Proof of ID and address for directors and shareholders
- Passport copies for shareholders and directors
- Copy of trade name confirmation from the Registry Office
- Copy of commercial license
- Proof of initial activity approval from cities management agencies
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
- Copy of the lease or property agreement of the company
Payment for trade license: for each passenger vehicle to be used by the company, a fee of AED 100 is required, plus AED 5 for every passenger seat.
Step 6: Getting your Trade Licenses
Once complete, the NTA and DED will issue your company the relevant trade licenses. Once you’ve made payment for those licenses, you’ll be able to begin operating.
Cost of starting a bus rental business in Dubai
Starting a bus rental business in Dubai costs between AED 20,000 and AED 25,000. Bear in mind this is only the cost of the trade license issued by the NTA and the DED. The overall cost of starting a bus rental business varies depending on factors such as government approvals, office and warehouse rental, equipment, qualified staff, vehicles, and more.
For an accurate quote, contact the specialist team at Trade License Zone. Our team will be able to provide you with information on all costs, documents needed and government and municipal requirements, trade license types, and business setup processes to open your bus rental business in Dubai.
Marketing strategies for bus rental business in Dubai
We’ve researched the most effective marketing strategies for bus rental companies starting out in Dubai. These are the two best strategies for you to employ:
Tip #1: Harnessing the Internet
Develop a website to showcase your bus rental services and fleet to attract potential customers. Your website must be optimised for search engines (SEO) to improve your online visibility, create social media accounts to expand your online reach and engage with potential customers.
Tip #2: Networking and Relationships
One of the most potent methods for gaining clients and customers for new businesses is networking and forging relationships. As a new bus rental business in Dubai, attend local events, trade shows, and tourism and travel expos to meet with clients and industry insiders. Forge partnerships and relationships with them to grow your brand and services throughout Dubai and the UAE.
Business setup in Dubai with Trade License Zone
When you partner with Trade License Zone, business setup in the UAE is streamlined. We help with trade license applications, company registration, and more to help save you time and money and eliminate the frustration of unnecessary delays or rejections.
Getting started is as simple as sending us basic information about your bus rental company and transport services, and our expert team will then take care of the rest for you. We’ll manage business setup, communicate with all relevant government departments and authorities, visa amendments and applications, open corporate bank accounts, and report back to you when you’re ready to start trading. It really is that straightforward.