
Dubai Railbus testing to be completed in two years as sustainable transport drive gathers pace
Live updates: World Governments Summit in Dubai Technical studies on Dubai's Railbus project will be completed in two years and the new network will complement existing transport infrastructure, such as the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, The National can reveal. Construction costs will be far less expensive than those of the Dubai Metro, with Railbus expected to be "20 per cent to 30 per cent cheaper than comparable systems globally", Abdul Muhsen Ibrahim Kalbat, chief executive of the Roads and Transport Authority, told The National on Tuesday. 'Sustainable transportation is part of the national strategy to achieve zero emissions by 2050,' he added. 'This type of system will complement our mass transit system, such as Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, and will integrate with existing public transport users from the areas adjacent to Metro stations." Mr Kalbat said a tiered system will be used for ticketing, with the network split into zones making it cost-effective for the customer. 'According to the research and development that the company is doing right now in co-ordination and collaboration with the RTA, we expect to get results of all studies and research within two years," he added. "Then we will be studying the feasibility of implementing this type of system within Dubai to explore the best routes and the best areas to start testing this type of system.' Although no launch date has been announced, Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, said the next steps after the two years of technical studies 'will involve identifying the optimal locations for pilot operations to assess its operational efficiency and integration with Dubai's wider transport network'. The RTA said the capsule-like vehicles, 11.5 metres in length and 2.65m wide, have a top speed of 100kph and each can hold 40 passengers. The vehicles will rely on solar power, with all tracks set to be covered by panels. The design, which has been optimised for urban landscapes, will be 3D-printed and the vehicles will be made from recyclable material. 'All of the related infrastructure will be developed more economically when compared to other similar systems,' Mr Kalbat said. 'It will run on rails and have the flexibility of a bus, as it will be able to manoeuvre within residential areas to serve the first and last-mile transport demands in Dubai.' On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in reviewing the Railbus prototype with Mr Al Tayer, while visiting the RTA stand at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. It is the latest in a series of recent announcements to help ease the pressure on Dubai's road network, with plans released last June setting out to double the number of Metro and tram stations by 2040. Dubai has 55 Metro stations – 35 on the red line and 20 on the green line – as well as 11 tram stops. This number is to be increased to 96 stations spanning 140km by 2030, according to Dubai Media Office. Set to transform the north-east of the city, an Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion) project is under way to add a blue line to the Metro system, which will feature 14 stations and add 30km to the network, more than half of it underground. Under plans laid out by Sheikh Hamdan, several car-free zones are to be established across the city.
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The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Dubai Metro Blue Line: Property prices set to surge in 20-minute city
The Dubai Metro Blue Line is being seen as a 'radical expansion' of public transport with major knock-on effects for tourism, property prices, traffic congestion, the environment, people's health and more. Blue Line stations could even become destinations in their own right, with neighbourhoods popping up around them, along with shops and cafes used by residents. Passengers would be bolstering the aim of the ' 20-minute city ' – a concept being embraced in Dubai where people could access essentials such as shops, schools, hospitals and more without using a car. The expansion could also boost property prices in areas within a 10-minute walk to a station by 10 to 15 per cent and further contribute to a 'cultural shift' in changing perceptions about taking the Metro from people who have not previously considered taking the train. The National spoke to experts in multiple fields – from transport to property – to gauge the effect the line might have. It comes after Monday's announcement that construction on the megaproject had begun with the foundation stone for the first station at Dubai Creek Harbour laid. The Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion) Blue Line project will include 14 new stations, connect with the existing Green and Red lines, and serve expanding neighbourhood such as Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai International City, when it opens in 2029. 'The Blue Line is a radical expansion of the Dubai Metro network,' said Paulo Anciaes, principal researcher in transport and health at University College London. 'Even the unserved areas will benefit from the new lines, as the whole public transport network will become more connected.' Monica Menendez, professor of civil and urban engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi, said it will lift numbers across the entire network. 'The Blue Line will improve overall accessibility and, as a result, help drive demand for the entire Metro network, as well as the Etihad Rail system,' said Prof Menendez. Meanwhile, Mario Volpi, head of brokerage at Novvi Properties, said the line would lift property prices generally in areas served and would make Dubai Creek Harbour one of Dubai's red-hot areas. Stations as destinations The first station to be revealed, Emaar Properties Station, has been described as an 'architectural icon', with Dubai saying it will be the tallest metro station in the world at 74 metres. Renderings show a soaring structure evoking a type of gateway. And while some might consider a station an afterthought, it is possible these might become destinations in their own right. Mr Anciaes pointed to St Pancras Station in London. After a redesign in 2007, it became a local hub with its cafes and shops used by nearby residents and workers, as well as passengers. While in Japan, everything from top restaurants to farmers' markets can be found within train stations. 'Studies in London have shown the enormous economic potential of investment in station buildings and surrounding public spaces,' said Mr Anciaes. He pointed to a 2020 report by consultancy Steer that identified links between station investment and substantial increases in house prices, tertiary employment and developments close to the station. Furthermore, he highlighted how some stations have even become tourist attractions due to architecture or historical significance, such as Antwerp Central Station in Belgium and the Moscow Metro. 'That said, long-term success depends on a metro system that is convenient, efficient and well-connected,' Prof Menendez added. A boost for property prices The planned Blue Line route covers rapidly expanding residential districts of Dubai such as Mirdif and Dubai Creek Harbour. Emaar has also purchased a large plot of land in Ras Al Khor, to be served by the Metro, with future development potential. Mr Volpi said as the market stands now, areas within walkable distance to the Metro − 10 minutes − could see between 10 to 15 per cent price increases. 'This is a major game changer,' he said. 'This is going to connect the whole city.' The property expert said people who perhaps could not afford certain areas could now consider these outlying neighbourhoods that will be connected to Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and DIFC once the line opens. He also said Dubai Creek Harbour itself was going to benefit hugely as, along with the Metro, the Creek Tower was being redesigned. 'These two things will put real estate [in Dubai Creek Harbour] right on the map.' Developers are already thinking about access to public transport. Wasl, for example, said the expansion of Jumeirah Golf Estates would have direct access to the Etihad Rail station currently under construction within the project, and planned connection to the Dubai Metro. What about areas not served by Dubai Metro? Dubai's population continues to swell, with the emirate's statistics centre on June 11 showing the population was 3,955,632 – up from 3,747,901 on the same date in 2024. While Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.5 billion people since its launch in 2009, transport chiefs say, the surge in people arriving in the city still has knock on effects on the roads, with toll operator Salik increasing prices to partly address this. Mr Anciaes said the Blue Line would cut car dependency and reduce congestion and emissions. Even unserved areas in the city could benefit. 'People in those areas can take a bus to access the network and then complete the rest of their trip by the Metro,' he said. 'It will also contribute to public health because trips by public transport always involve some walking from and to and inside the stations. And walking is one of the most effective ways of including physical activity in daily life.' The track ahead What is also crucial, however, is connectivity. Passengers must be able to access interchanges, transfer between buses and rail easily, and use as few tickets as possible to get the most out of networks that are costly to build. Building a station just isn't enough. 'A truly integrated transport system also requires a unified payment solution, co-ordinated transfer schedules, a single digital platform for planning and booking intermodal [more than one form of transportation] journeys,' said Prof Menendez. 'Adding this third metro line is a positive step towards building a more sustainable mobility system in Dubai − but I hope it's just the beginning,' she said. 'While it may be unrealistic to serve the entire city − especially low-density areas − exclusively through a metro network, the Metro can serve as the backbone of a larger public transportation system.'


Gulf Today
7 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's PM Shahbaz set to embark on UAE visit on Thursday
Gulf Today Report Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake an official visit to the UAE on Thursday, along with a high-level delegation. A press release issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday said that the visit reflected the 'deep-rooted fraternal ties' between Pakistan and the UAE, marked by mutual trust, shared values, and close cooperation across multiple sectors. 'The PM will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, and other senior officers,' the press release said. During the visit, PM Shahbaz will hold high-level meetings with the UAE leadership, including a bilateral meeting with the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest and concern will be discussed during the high-level interactions. According to the Foreign Office, the prime minister's visit will serve to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE, deepen economic ties, and foster multifaceted collaboration. It said that the visit was a 'manifestation of Pakistan's and UAE's shared commitment to bolstering the mutually beneficial strategic partnership, enhancing cooperation in existing areas of mutual interest, and exploring new avenues for further strengthening the bilateral cordial relations.' In February, Shahbaz was invited by UAE leader to participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai, where he delivered a keynote address highlighting Pakistan's vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms. The UAE is one of Pakistan's largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, with a large Pakistani expatriate population living and working there.


ARN News Center
21 hours ago
- ARN News Center
Over 7.5 million riders use Dubai public transport during Eid
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has reported a sharp rise in public transport usage during the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Nearly 7.58 million riders used various transport services between June 5 and 8 - a 14 per cent increase compared to last year. The Dubai Metro carried the largest share with nearly 2.8 million passengers, followed by public buses with 1.66 million users, while marine transport served over 307,000 passengers. The Dubai Tram recorded just under 120,000 riders, and taxis transported over 2.1 million people. Shared mobility services, including e-scooters and app-based ride services, added more than half a million riders to the total. The RTA says the figures reflect the growing confidence in Dubai's integrated, efficient public transport system, especially during busy holiday periods. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 10, 2025