Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced plans to widen the network of dedicated bus and taxi lanes across the emirate over the next two years, while progressing studies for a trackless tram system at eight proposed locations, according to a senior official.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the RTA, stated that six new corridors covering 13 kilometres will be introduced during 2025 and 2026, increasing the total length of exclusive public transport lanes to 20 kilometres.
He added that the expansion is projected to raise public transport ridership by approximately 10 per cent, improve bus arrival times by 42 per cent, and reduce journey durations by nearly 41 per cent.
The additional lanes will be implemented along six key routes: Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, 2nd of December Street, Al Satwa, Al Nahda, Omar bin Al Khattab Street and Naif Street. These lanes will feature distinctive road markings to prevent misuse by private vehicles, with fines of Dh600 imposed on violators.
Al Tayer further confirmed that the RTA is evaluating the introduction of trackless trams at eight sites across Dubai as part of its broader public transport strategy.
He described the proposed system as a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable solution powered by electricity. Operating on virtual tracks guided by cameras that read painted road markings, the system is expected to offer faster deployment and lower construction costs compared to conventional tram infrastructure.
In contrast to traditional systems such as the Dubai Tram, the new model would not rely on physical rails. Instead, it would use smart navigation technologies to operate along fixed routes with designated stops, similar to bus services.
Each tram is planned to consist of three connected carriages with a capacity of up to 300 passengers — more than three times that of a standard bus. The vehicles are expected to reach top speeds of 70 km/h, typically operating within a range of 25 to 60 km/h.
These measures form part of Dubai’s broader efforts to address traffic congestion, particularly as vehicle numbers have risen by around 10 per cent over the past two years, exceeding global averages. Authorities are simultaneously advancing complementary initiatives, including new road infrastructure, variable tolling and parking tariffs, restrictions on heavy vehicles, and flexible working arrangements.
The announcement coincided with the release of 2025 public transport figures, which showed average daily ridership of 2.2 million and total annual usage of 802 million. The RTA reiterated its commitment to strengthening an integrated, intelligent and sustainable mobility network aligned with Dubai’s long-term development objectives.
