UAE: Six upcoming transport projects that will revolutionise travel in Dubai
1. Dubai Metro Blue Line to Launch in 2029
Dubai Metro's much-anticipated Blue Line is set to open on September 9, 2029, adding 30km of new tracks and 14 stations to the city's growing rail network. According to Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) It will connect key locations like Dubai International Airport, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Once complete, the number of metro and tram stations will rise from 64 to 78. Travel times on the Blue Line will range from 10 to 25 minutes—perfect for commuters looking for speed and convenience
2. Rail Bus: A solar-powered ride for the future
Unveiled at the World Government Summit, the futuristic Rail Bus blends the features of a bus and a train. It seats 40 passengers, travels up to 100km/h, and runs on a solar-powered bridge, making it both eco-friendly and cost-efficient.
Developed in partnership with Rail Bus Inc, the vehicle offers a fresh take on urban mobility, combining speed with sustainability.
3. Trackless trams could soon glide through Dubai
Dubai is exploring a bold new tram system without the tracks. These self-driving, electric-powered trams run on virtual tracks using cameras that follow painted lines on dedicated lanes.
Designed for smoother, faster construction and lower costs, each tram will carry up to 300 passengers in three carriages. They will cruise at speeds of 25 to 60km/h, with the ability to travel 100km on a single charge.
A feasibility study is underway to roll them out in eight key locations across the city.
4. Self-driving taxis hit the roads in 2026
Get ready to hail a ride without a driver. Dubai's self-driving taxis will begin pilot tests later this year, with a full launch planned for 2026. Initially, a safety driver will be on board during testing.
The project is part of RTA's partnership with global autonomous tech giants like Uber, WeRide, and Baidu, and is operated under Apollo Go, RTA's autonomous mobility platform.
5. Air taxis could take off by end of 2025
Air taxis could start flying by December 2025, with a prototype already unveiled by Joby Aviation. These all-electric aircraft will support Dubai's goal of making 25% of all trips self-driving by 2030.
Regulations and air corridors are currently being mapped out, laying the groundwork for both piloted and autonomous air mobility, including cargo drones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
7 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai Land Department-RTA partnership: How will it change real estate, mobility?
Image credit: WAM/Website The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to strengthen collaboration across mobility, real estate, and logistics services. The agreement aims to facilitate data exchange and co-develop unified digital services that are secure, user-friendly, and efficient, fully aligning with Dubai Government's vision of delivering customer-centric public services. Read- Signed at the RTA headquarters in Dubai, the MoU was witnessed by Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA, and Majid Saqr Al Marri, CEO of the Registration and Real Estate Services Sector at DLD. The partnership supports Dubai's vision of delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that cater to future aspirations and bolster strategic goals related to smart and digital infrastructure. Driving seamless, customer-centric services The agreement will enhance the customer experience by supporting the emirate's 360 Services initiative—a new government model designed to provide seamless, proactive services integrated within the unified Dubai Now app and other government platforms. This initiative aims to deliver public services that are more accessible and efficient for all residents and businesses. The MoU emphasises collaboration to optimise resource utilisation and align with Dubai's environmental and economic objectives. It also positions Dubai as a global hub for logistics and real estate services by adopting effective marketing and development strategies, with potential plans to expand into future joint projects. Ahmed Mahboob highlighted RTA's commitment to advancing service quality for both individual and corporate customers. 'RTA is focused on enhancing and optimising smart systems and networks by delivering advanced services, streamlining procedures, and driving operational efficiency and sustainability in service delivery,' he said. He added, 'This MoU strengthens strategic partnerships among government entities and accelerates the emirate's digital transformation drive. It also supports reengineering customer services by leveraging advanced technologies and enabling seamless data integration with local and federal authorities.' Mahboob concluded, 'This partnership marks a key milestone in building fully integrated digital ecosystems. By connecting real estate transactions with mobility services, we enable seamless, data-driven experiences that support Dubai's vision to enhance quality of life across the emirate.' DLD commits to smart city collaboration Majid Saqr Al Marri affirmed the Dubai Land Department's commitment to smart city initiatives through corporate collaboration. 'This MoU reinforces our dedication to delivering unified, proactive services that meet the expectations of our customers and partners,' he said. He described the agreement as a significant step towards advancing Dubai's strategic goal of becoming the world's smartest city. 'The partnership also contributes to improving the quality, sustainability, and efficiency of service delivery by integrating artificial intelligence technologies,' Al Marri added. This collaboration between the RTA and DLD reflects Dubai's ongoing efforts to integrate technology and innovation across government services, enhancing operational efficiency and enriching residents' quality of life in the process.
Arabian Post
7 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Business Bay's Off‑Plan Triumph Ushers New Investment Wave
Business Bay achieved over AED 4.5 billion in off‑plan real estate sales during the second quarter of 2025, completing more than 1,900 transactions and cementing its reputation as a premier residential and investment epicentre in Dubai. Contributing 5 per cent of the emirate's total real estate sales value, while representing only 3 per cent of transaction volume, the district demonstrated its enduring appeal and pricing power amid a booming market. Dubai's overall property market reached AED 66.8 billion in sales across 18,700 transactions in May 2025, marking a notable 44 per cent year‑on‑year rise in value and a 6 per cent increase in volume. Business Bay clearly emerged as a key driver of that momentum. Strategically positioned between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Canal, Business Bay offers direct connectivity via Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Metro, along with proximity to DIFC and upscale hospitality hubs. That prime placement, combined with high‑rise lifestyle offerings and strong potential yields, continues to draw interest from both domestic and international investors. ADVERTISEMENT Developers are responding with a series of branded‑residence and design‑led launches aimed at high‑net‑worth individuals and global buyers. A notable example is QUBE Development's partnership with The Lux Collective on an exclusive luxury residential project, now under construction in the district's core. Analysts also point to evolving buyer preferences and macro‑economic tailwinds. Condor Developers' chairman V. Sivaprasad highlighted that off‑plan purchases remain attractive due to flexible payment structures, competitive pricing versus ready properties, and anticipated returns in high‑growth neighbourhoods such as Business Bay, Downtown, Marina and Jumeirah Village Circle. Data from CBRE reinforces this trend, reporting a more than 46 per cent year‑on‑year growth in off‑plan sales during the first five months of 2025 in Dubai and underlining demand for branded and design‑forward developments. Knight Frank's UAE Property Market Review records a 22 per cent year‑on‑year rise in off‑plan prices in Business Bay for Q2 2025, surpassing the broader Dubai average of 15 per cent increase. Analysts attribute this to enhanced waterfront offerings, branded launches and sustained inflow of international high‑net‑worth individuals drawn by tax‑free structures and investor‑friendly visa policies. Further supporting demand, the UAE's Golden Visa initiative — granting long‑term residency to investors and skilled professionals — continues to be a compelling driver in off‑plan sales. Developers are increasingly designing projects to align with the AED 2 million investment threshold required for visa eligibility, enabling investors to combine real estate gains with residency benefits. Market watchers caution against potential headwinds such as inflation, global interest rate changes and geopolitical uncertainties. However, Dubai's economic stability, currency peg, robust fiscal policy and sustained foreign investment inflows appear to mitigate these risks. Experts anticipate that off‑plan momentum will persist into the latter half of 2025, especially in core districts such as Business Bay, Mohammed Bin Rashid City and Dubai Creek Harbour. Beyond residential demand, the city's commercial and retail off‑plan sectors are gaining traction, backed by rising office rents and limited Grade‑A inventory. Firms such as JLL and Knight Frank report strong resilience in office demand, especially in DIFC, Downtown and Business Bay, with commercial off‑plan developments increasingly targeting foreign investors and visa‑eligible buyers. Population growth is also catalysing demand across both segments. Dubai's population exceeded 3.7 million in early 2025, prompting a rise in businesses and infrastructure development. Commercial and residential off‑plan schemes alike are being launched with extended payment plans and branded offerings to satisfy investor appetite. Development firms are exploring innovative financing mechanisms, such as Danube Properties' '1 per cent monthly' plan, enabling buyers to pay 20 per cent upfront, with the remaining 80 per cent distributed across monthly instalments. That model has improved affordability and drawn middle‑income investors, expanding Dubai's target buyer base.
Hi Dubai
10 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
RTA Signs MoU with Dubai Land Department to Drive Digital Integration Across Services
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to advance integration between the emirate's mobility, real estate, and logistics sectors. The agreement aims to enable secure data sharing and co-create unified digital services that are seamless, efficient, and aligned with Dubai's vision for customer-centric public service delivery. It supports the broader 360 Services initiative, which focuses on proactive, integrated services across platforms like Dubai Now. Signed at RTA's headquarters, the MoU brings together top leadership from both entities, including Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of RTA's Licensing Agency, and Majid Saqr Al Marri, CEO of the Registration and Real Estate Services Sector at DLD. Both parties emphasized the strategic significance of this collaboration in supporting smart infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering sustainable, digitally-driven solutions. The partnership also aligns with Dubai's long-term environmental and economic goals, particularly its ambitions to become a global leader in logistics and real estate innovation. Mahboob highlighted that integrating real estate with mobility data creates smoother experiences for users and supports the emirate's smart city goals. Al Marri echoed this, noting that the partnership strengthens Dubai's digital transformation through artificial intelligence and joint service innovation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
