Dubai has unveiled an ambitious transportation project in partnership with Elon Musk, aiming to revolutionize travel in the emirate.
The ‘Dubai Loop,’ a high-speed underground transport system, was announced on Thursday, Day 3 of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025. The project, spanning 17 kilometers with 11 stations, will be capable of transporting 20,000 passengers per hour.
The announcement was made during a virtual session featuring Musk and Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
The initiative is part of a broader plan to develop Dubai’s tunnel infrastructure, allowing direct point-to-point travel with no intermediate stops.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, later took to social media to share further details.
He stated that the Dubai Loop would “redefine the future of transportation, both above and below ground,” setting new global benchmarks.
Connecting Densely Populated Areas
At WGS 2025, Al Olama emphasized that the Dubai Loop would connect the emirate’s most densely populated areas, enabling rapid and seamless travel. Elon Musk, drawing a comparison to a ‘wormhole,’ described the system as a breakthrough for urban mobility.
“Like, you just wormhole from one part of the city and boom—you’re out in another part of the city,” Musk said. “I think once people try it out, they will think this is really cool.” He added that the loop system would be regarded as an obvious transport solution in hindsight.
Al Olama expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, “We look forward to the collaboration, and we’re going to join the first trip, the first pod.”
Electric-Powered Speed and Safety
The Dubai Loop will utilize electric vehicles capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. The project aligns with Dubai’s sustainability goals by promoting eco-friendly transport alternatives.
During the session, Musk elaborated on The Boring Company’s mission to create efficient, low-cost tunnels to tackle urban congestion. He cited the company’s ongoing work in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where similar tunnel networks are under development.
“What’s really useful about tunnels is alleviating traffic in congested areas,” Musk explained. “In Las Vegas, we’re busy connecting the whole city, including major hotels, the convention center, and the airport.”
Musk contrasted underground transport with alternative solutions such as flying taxis and helicopters, pointing out the challenges associated with airborne transport.
“The issue with flying transport is that it is noisy, generates a lot of wind force, and is susceptible to crashes. Bad weather, like blizzards or sandstorms, can shut down air travel completely. Underground travel, on the other hand, is unaffected by these issues.”
He also emphasized the safety advantages of tunnels in extreme situations, such as earthquakes, reinforcing their viability as a long-term solution for urban mobility.
Shaping the Future of Transport
Dubai’s partnership with Musk represents a significant step toward reshaping its transportation infrastructure.
By integrating high-speed electric pods into the city’s transit network, the Dubai Loop aims to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and set a global precedent for urban mobility.
With the project’s development set to commence, the emirate is poised to take another leap in its pursuit of futuristic and sustainable transport solutions.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members