Dubai to Explore Underground Loop, Solar RailBus Systems.

Dubai's RTA and Elon Musk's The Boring Company signed an MoU to explore building the 17km Dubai Loop, a high-capacity underground transit system similar to the LVCC Loop in Las Vegas. The Loop aims to transport over 20,000 passengers hourly across 11 stations. This initiative coincides with Dubai's announcement of a solar-powered RailBus system, with 40-passenger carriages traveling at 100 km/h. Both projects align with Dubai's net-zero emissions and autonomous transport strategies. These transport developments are in response to Dubai's rapid population growth, projected to reach 5.8 million by 2040, and aim to improve public transit, reduce reliance on cars, and support the city's 20-Minute City policy. This follows Dubai's recent $5.5bn investment in the Dubai Metro Blue Line extension.Dubai is making significant strides in its public transportation infrastructure to address rapid population growth and promote sustainability. The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has partnered with Elon Musk's The Boring Company to explore developing the "Dubai Loop," a 17km underground transit system. This system, similar to the LVCC Loop in Las Vegas, aims to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour across 11 stations. The MoU was signed on February 13th during the World Governments Summit, with notable attendees including the Crown Prince of Dubai and representatives from The Boring Company.

The Dubai Loop draws inspiration from the successful LVCC Loop, a 2.7km tunnel system that significantly reduces travel time between convention center halls. The LVCC Loop, operational since 2021, utilizes Tesla Model 3 vehicles to transport passengers. The Boring Company began construction on this project in 2019 at a cost of approximately $49 million.

In addition to the Dubai Loop, the RTA unveiled plans for a solar-powered RailBus system at the World Governments Summit. This system will feature 11.5-meter long carriages, each capable of carrying 40 passengers at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The RTA has stated that technical studies for the RailBus system will be completed within the next two years. This project aligns with the UAE Net Zero Strategy 2050, the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Public Transport Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Autonomous Transport Strategy 2030, which aims for 25% of all trips in Dubai to be autonomous by 2030. Following the studies, pilot operations will be established to evaluate the system's efficiency and integration with Dubai's existing transport network.

Dubai's population is projected to increase from 3.3 million in 2020 to 5.8 million by 2040, with a corresponding rise in the daytime population. This rapid growth puts considerable strain on public transportation, necessitating substantial improvements. To address this, Dubai recently awarded a AED 20.5 billion ($5.5 billion) contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line extension. This extension will carry 320,000 passengers daily and serve approximately 1 million residents in areas like Festival City, International City, Rashidiya, Warqa, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, and Academic City.

These initiatives, including the Dubai Loop, RailBus system, and Metro extension, are crucial for reducing reliance on private vehicles and creating a more efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem. They also support Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan and its 20-Minute City Policy, which aims to provide residents with access to daily needs within a 20-minute journey by foot or bicycle. By investing in these large-scale projects, Dubai is proactively addressing its transportation challenges and building a future-ready infrastructure.