DUBAI, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Residents of Dubai still find themselves confused about whether they could continue to use the ride-sharing services, six months after the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) stopped issuing carpooling licenses to private vehicle owners, Dubai daily Gulf news reported Monday.

Last December, the RTA shut down its official car-sharing website, known as "Sharekni," where private vehicle owners and travellers could post their offers or demands of vehicles online to avoid expensive travelling fees or long waiting time.

In a message posted on the website, the RTA said it closed the website in an attempt to provide the residents with "best possible services," and that no new permits will be issued after Dec. 20, 2017.

However, it added that all licenses granted before the date will be valid until expiry without further renewal.

Many Sharekni users expressed their frustration over the RTA's decision, saying they were unaware whether they could continue to carpool privately without permits.

Others were concerned that they might be fined over using the ride-sharing services without renewed permits.

The RTA is currently studying effective alternatives to meet the residents' commuting demand, and that the Dubai transport authority encourages residents to use public transport means, an RTA official was quoted as saying.

The United Arab Emirates, with a population of around 10.5 million, is comprised of seven sheikhdoms. The ride-sharing was particularly popular among those in need of inter-sheikhdom travels, as the country does not have a national rail system and most buses operate on an hourly basis.