Dubai to Expand Bus and Taxi Lanes, Trial Rail-less Tram System

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday, February 15, 2026, that it will expand dedicated bus and taxi lanes across the emirate over the next two years and trial a new "rail-less tram" system in 8 different locations.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, confirmed that six new corridors, totaling 13 kilometers, will be implemented during 2025 and 2026, bringing the total length of dedicated lanes to 20 kilometers.

New Dedicated Lanes to Improve Performance

The new 13 kilometers of lanes will be constructed on the following key streets:

📍 Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street
📍 2nd December Street
📍 Al Satwa and Al Nahda
📍 Omar Bin Al Khattab Street and Naif Street

Expected Benefits

Bus travel time reduction of up to 41 percent.
 Improvement of 42 percent in bus punctuality.
Increase of 10 percent in the number of passengers.

Warning: These lanes are marked with distinctive colors. Drivers of private vehicles who enter these lanes will face a fine of AED 600.

What is a Rail-less Tram?

This advanced, self-driving, and environmentally friendly system uses virtual tracks (road markings identified by cameras) instead of metal rails.

Features of the New Tram:

Capacity: Each tram has 3 carriages with a capacity of 300 passengers (3 times that of regular buses).

Speed: Maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour and an operational speed between 25 and 60 kilometers per hour.

Cost: The construction cost and implementation time are significantly less than traditional trams (such as the current Dubai Tram).