Dubai is stepping up efforts to tackle mounting traffic congestion with an ambitious expansion of dedicated public transport corridors and the introduction of a futuristic rail-free tram system.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed it will add 13 kilometres of new bus and taxi lanes over the next two years, while studying an innovative trackless tram network across eight key locations.
The announcement was made by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, who said the measures are designed to make public transport faster, more reliable and more attractive to residents.
“These lanes will contribute to a 10 per cent increase in ridership, improve bus on-time performance by 42 per cent, and reduce bus journey times by 41 per cent,” Al Tayer said.
The new corridors will be rolled out during 2025 and 2026, bringing the total length of dedicated bus and taxi lanes in Dubai to 20 kilometres.
Six major routes have been identified for the expansion: 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 roads serve some of the emirate’s busiest residential and commercial districts.
Each lane will be clearly marked in a distinctive colour to prevent private vehicles from entering. Motorists who misuse the lanes face fines of Dh600, reinforcing the RTA’s push to prioritize mass transit.
Officials say the dedicated corridors are essential as the number of vehicles in Dubai continues to surge. Traffic volumes have grown by around 10 per cent over the past two years — far higher than the global average of 2 to 4 per cent.
Beyond buses, the authority is also exploring a more futuristic solution: a trackless tram system powered entirely by electricity.
Unlike traditional rail trams, the system will not rely on fixed steel tracks. Instead, it will use a virtual guidance path, following painted road markings detected by onboard cameras and sensors.
The technology promises lower construction costs and faster implementation, while avoiding the disruption typically associated with laying rails or relocating underground utilities.
Each trackless tram will consist of three connected carriages with space for up to 300 passengers — more than three times the capacity of a standard bus. The vehicles will operate at speeds of up to 70km/h, with normal service speeds ranging between 25 and 60km/h.
Like buses, the trams will run along predetermined routes with designated stops, offering a hybrid solution that combines the flexibility of road transport with the capacity of light rail.
Transport planners say the system could prove particularly useful in densely built urban corridors where installing traditional tram infrastructure would be costly or impractical.
The initiatives form part of Dubai’s broader strategy to build an intelligent, sustainable and integrated mobility network.
Alongside the new lanes and tram studies, the RTA is implementing dynamic toll and parking tariffs, restricting heavy vehicle movements during peak hours, and encouraging flexible and remote working arrangements.
Previous case studies conducted by the authority suggest that flexible work policies alone could cut traffic volumes by as much as 30 per cent.
Public transport usage figures underscore the growing importance of these efforts. Average daily ridership reached 2.2 million passengers in 2025, with a total of 802 million users relying on public transport, shared mobility and taxis throughout the year.
Officials say these numbers reflect rising confidence in Dubai’s transit system but also highlight the need for further capacity improvements to keep pace with demand.
Al Tayer emphasized that the authority will continue expanding metro, tram and bus networks while integrating artificial intelligence into operations and customer services.
“We are advancing a smart, sustainable and seamless system that supports Dubai’s aspirations as one of the world’s best cities to live, work and visit,” he said.
With new bus corridors on the ground and cutting-edge trams under study, Dubai is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation urban mobility — betting that faster, greener public transport will keep the city moving smoothly in the years ahead.