Roads & Transport Authority Dubai has unveiled an innovative mode of future transportation – RAILBUS, a 3D printed vehicle made from recyclable materials, a model of which is currently kept for display at the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai.
The first 100% solar powered, autonomous transportation system is a state-of-the art, environmentally friendly, low-cost vehicle developed by a team of visionary entrepreneurs, industrial designers, and transportation specialists. Still in its development phase, RAILBUS is expected to revolutionise urban mobility in the emirate.
With its striking gold-and-black exterior, the vehicle measures 11.5 metres in length and 2.65 metres in width. Each unit carries 40 passengers. The low-cost system will run on elevated tracks at speeds of 100 kph. Screens placed above the seats will give live updates about the journey, including the next stop, time, and weather. Safety instructions for passengers are put on either side of the carriage, with control panels on both ends.
“Construction costs will be far less expensive than those of the Dubai Metro, with RAILBUS expected to be 20% to 30% cheaper than comparable systems globally,” says Abdul Muhsen Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of the Rail Agency at RTA. According to the RAILBUS website, the vehicles’ light weight design and flexibility is further expected to reduce infrastructure maintenance costs. Technical studies on the project will be completed in two years’ time and the new network will be integrated with the existing transport infrastructure to ensure seamless and efficient first- and last-mile connectivity.
The project aligns with Dubai’s smart city vision, while also supporting key national strategies including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai 2050, and the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy by 2030.
