Dubai’s public transport system is undergoing massive upgrades, with the National Railway announcing high-speed trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi amongst others. Another cutting-edge new transport system will transform the city – the Rail Bus.
3D-printed carriages powered by solar energy
Powered by solar energy, the Rail Bus will be one of the most environmentally friendly transit systems in Dubai that is also cost-effective. This avant-garde driverless transport system will cost 20-30% less than traditional systems.
That’s also because these carriages are built using 3D printing technology and recycled carbon fibre. These pod-like compartments have a sleek aerodynamic design that allows it to 40 passengers in one go at maximum speeds of 100km/hr. Each carriage measures 11.5 metres in length, 2.6 metres in width, and 2.9 metres.
You can see the Rail Bus prototype in Dubai this week
The Rail Bus network is still under development, but you can see a functional model of it in Dubai this week at the World Government Summit 2025 in Madinat Jumeirah.
Kitted out with 22 comfortable seats and ambient lighting, the black and gold carriages will also feature onboard Wi-Fi so commuters can stay connected throughout the journey. They’ve also factored in added space for special needs passengers into the design.
Where will the Rail Bus tracks be built in Dubai?
The Rail Buses will run on elevated tracks covered with solar panels that will be constructed around the city. However, locations for pilot operations will depend on the technical studies the RTA will conduct over the next two years. Once that’s done, the Rail Bus network will seamlessly integrate into Dubai’s existing public transport systems.
When will the Rail Bus system launch in Dubai?
This project is being developed in partnership with RAILBUS Inc., an American startup that’s out to create the first fully solar-powered mass transportation system.
There’s no launch date as of yet, but this project is in step with Dubai’s UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, Dubai’s Zero-Emissions Public Transport Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030, which plans on converting 25 per cent of daily trips into unmanned journeys using self-driving vehicles.