Purple-roof taxis have started popping up all over the emirate in recent months.

Since the late 2000s, taxi vehicles in Dubai have all shared the same base sand colour, with the colour of the roof indicating which company each cab belongs to.

Newbies and long-term residents alike may not realise that the various coloured roofs of each cab in the city all have different meanings.

Set to eventually replace blue-roof taxis in Dubai, the purple-roof taxis are the result of a rebrand of Cars Taxi to Kabi.

And the new purple taxis in Dubai have special significance, according to bosses of the recently rebranded transport company.

The switch in hue from blue to purple reflects the brand colours of Kabi’s parent company Al Ghurair. But the purple colour also stands for “innovation, human connection and recognition”.

While there is currently no timescale in place for the gradual phasing out of the blue taxis, Kabi has confirmed that they will be replaced by purple-roofed vehicles.

A statement said: “The blue-roofed taxis are being replaced by our new purple-roofed Kabi cars – fully rebranded and redesigned from the inside out.

“Think leather seats, a fresh interior, and a more premium feel all around. We’re proud to be the only ones elevating the customer experience this way, to make every ride more comfortable, connected, and memorable.”

Currently, Kabi has 4,350 purple-roofed taxis across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, with more likely on the way in the near future.

The company now known as Kabi has been on Dubai’s roads since 2000 and currently makes more than 110,000 trips per day.