Dubai: On 10th February, the Emirates’ Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that Dubai is about to receive an innovative public transportation system, the Rail Bus. This advanced transport mode is a completely 3-D vehicle built from recyclable materials and is still in the development stage. This solar-powered and self-operating bus transport is anticipated to restructure urban mobility in the UAE.
At Madinat Jumeirah, the model of this innovative Rail Bus is presently on exhibition at the World Government Summit 2025. This bus features an extraordinarily striking gold and black exterior and has orange seats and space in two rows for disabled passengers. Each bus is built with the vision to ensure accessibility for all, featuring 22 seats that can accommodate 40 passengers at once.
To provide real-time live updates to passengers about the journey, like next stops, weather, and time, screens are fixed above each seat. Both ends of the carriage feature control panels and instructions regarding passengers’ safety are posted on each side of the bus.
Innovative Rail Bus: Affordable & Sustainable
To ensure a connected, seamless, and efficient mobility experience for commuters, the bus will feature frequent and flexible routes and will integrate with other public transport, especially for first- and last-mile travel. This smart and affordable bus system will run on elevated tracks and will be built across the city. The Rail Bus is designed to reach a speed of up to 100 km/hr and will feature dimensions of 2.9 m and 11.5 m in height and length, respectively. In addition to its cost-effectiveness and outstanding speed, this innovative bus mode is 100% sustainable, as it is completely powered by solar energy and will be self-operating.
This project aligns with the government’s vision for a smarter Dubai and makes it the smartest city all over the globe. Key national strategies supported by this innovative project are the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and Dubai’s Zero-Emissions Public Transport Strategy 2050. Additionally, it also supports the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030, which intends to transform 25% of everyday trips into self-driving journeys. Rail Bus’s lightweight and scalable 3D-printed structure aims to maximize efficiency while causing minimal impact on the environment. This system’s launch date has not been announced yet, but it will revolutionize public transport and strengthen Dubai’s reputation as the global leader in smart and sustainable mobility.
The Rail Bus: Future of Urban Mobility in Dubai
The Emirates’ Prime Minister and Dubai’s current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, visited the RTA platform at the World Government Summit to review this futuristic approach to urban mobility. His Highness was accompanied by Dubai’s current crown prince and the Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamdan. The innovative Rail Bus transport mode will enhance the commuter experience while satisfying the government’s vision for smarter urban mobility.
Also Read – Dubai’s ‘Islands in the Sky’: A 330 ft Tower with Pools, Gardens & Slides by 2028