RTA Brings Trackless Trams and Dedicated Lanes to Make Your Daily Drive Easy
On 15 February 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) made a game-changing announcement. They are adding 13 km of new dedicated bus and taxi lanes and rolling out a revolutionary trackless tram system across eight key locations.
These moves are part of Dubai’s bold plan to make public transport the smartest, easiest, and greenest choice for everyone living or working in the UAE. If you drive every day and hate the jams, or if you already use buses and want them to be even quicker, this news is for you.
What Exactly Did RTA Announce
1. More Dedicated Bus and Taxi Lanes
RTA is building six new corridors totalling 13 km. When finished, the full network of special lanes will reach 20 km. These lanes are only for buses and taxis; cars cannot enter (fine is AED 600 if you do).
New lanes coming on these busy roads:
- Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street
- 2nd of December Street
- Al Satwa
- Al Nahda
- Omar bin Al Khattab Street
- Naif Street
2. Trackless Tram
No rails. No overhead wires. Just smooth, electric, self-driving trams that follow virtual tracks painted on the road. Cameras, GPS, and smart sensors (LiDAR) guide the tram safely. It can carry up to 300 passengers, reach 70 km/h, and run 100 km on one charge.
It will start in eight strategic locations across Dubai (exact spots will be announced soon). This system costs less and builds faster than normal trams, perfect for a fast-growing city like ours.
Why This Matters to You
Here’s exactly how these changes will improve your life in the UAE:
Benefit |
What It Means for You |
Expected Improvement |
|
Bus Journey Time |
Reach your stop quicker, even in peak hours |
Reduced by 41% |
|
Bus Punctuality |
Buses arrive when they say they will |
Improved by 42% |
|
Ridership |
More people will choose buses & trams |
Increase by 10% |
|
Traffic Congestion |
Fewer private cars on the road |
Less overall traffic |
|
Environment |
Electric power, zero emissions |
Cleaner Dubai air |
|
Your Wallet |
Nol card rides are cheap & now even faster |
Save time + money |
How Trackless Tram Works
- Painted lines on the road act like invisible rails.
- Cameras on the tram read the lines and stay in the lane.
- Smart sensors watch for cars, people, or obstacles and stop safely.
- You just hop on at the station, sit back and enjoy the ride.
Why You Should Switch to Public Transport Today
With these new lanes and trams:
- You save hours every week.
- You arrive relaxed, not stressed.
- You help Dubai stay the cleanest, smartest city in the world.
- You spend less on petrol and parking.
FAQs
Q1: When will the new bus and taxi lanes open?
Work starts immediately and will finish in stages during 2025 and 2026. Some roads may get lanes sooner; watch RTA updates.
Q2: What is a trackless tram exactly?
It’s an electric, driverless tram that follows painted lines on the road using cameras and sensors. No real tracks needed, so it’s cheaper and quicker to build.
Q3: Will the trackless tram be in my area?
It will serve eight key locations across Dubai. More details will come soon. Keep checking the RTA website or app.
Q4: Can private cars use the new lanes?
No. Only buses and taxis. Breaking the rule costs an AED 600 fine.
Q5: How much will a trackless tram ride cost?
Same as normal public transport, just use your NOL card. Silver, Gold, or Blue cards all work.
Q6: Is it safe?
Very safe! Advanced AI and sensors watch everything. Dubai Metro is already one of the safest driverless systems in the world, and it follows the same high standards.
Q7: How do I plan my journey with these new options?
Download the free RTA Dubai app or visit rta.ae. It shows real-time buses, trams, metro, and even walking time to stations.
Q8: Will this help reduce Dubai traffic overall?
Yes! More people on buses and trams means fewer cars on the roads. Everyone wins, even drivers.