From driverless cars to a rail connecting all seven emirates and more…
Dubai doesn’t do small upgrades, especially when it comes to how the city moves. From huge metro expansions to futuristic mobility concepts, a wave of new transport systems is set to reshape getting from A to B. Whether you’re commuting daily or just trying to beat the traffic, here’s a look at all the new transport projects coming to Dubai.
Dubai Metro Gold Line
On March 22, 2026, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, revealed plans for a brand-new Dubai Metro Gold Line – a major expansion set to transform how the city moves.
The new line will pass through 15 key strategic areas across Dubai and is expected to serve around 1.5 million residents. It will begin at Al Ghubaiba and will end at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where passengers can connect to Etihad Rail.
The new line will make the daily commutes for passengers smoother while cutting travel time. It will be the first fully integrated underground route in Dubai.
The Gold Line is scheduled to be completed by September 9, 2032 – the 23rd anniversary of the Dubai Metro.
Read more here.
Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Blue Line for Dubai’s Metro was first discussed back in 2006, along with other potential lines and the expansion of the existing Red and Green lines. Plans changed amid the global economic slowdown, but as of 2025, the Blue Line is officially back on track.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will connect to the existing Centrepoint station on the Red Line and to the Creek station on the Green Line. It will include three interchange stations: Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya and International City 1.
From Centrepoint, the Blue Line will run through Mirdif, where there will be a station (most likely) outside Mirdif City Centre Mall. From here it will pass through Al Warqa and then Dubai International City 1, Dubai International City 2 and 3, and Dubai Silicon Oasis before arriving at its last station at Dubai International Academic City.
The Blue Line aims to start operations on September 9, 2029 – an ode to the opening of the Dubai Metro, coinciding with the 20th anniversary.
RAILBUS
On February 10, 2025, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a new mode of transportation at the World Government Summit: RAILBUS.
It will be a sustainable future mass transit system powered by solar energy, thus making it a sustainable and efficient public transport solution. The system aligns with the UAE Net Zero Strategy 2050 which aims to make 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai autonomous by 2030.
It will be made using 3D printing technology using recyclable materials and will be able to carry 40 passengers, moving on tracks across the city through a network of bridges.
Read more here.
Flying taxis
Sounds like a scene out of The Jetsons, but yes, Flying Taxis will soon be a reality in Dubai. These sky-high taxis will be able to take off vertically with a maximum speed of 322 km/h – an impressive speed given they will be a zero-emission form of transport. It will be able to carry four passengers plus a pilot with a range of 161 kilometres.
The initial launch will connect four main areas of Dubai: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa area), Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport, and Palm Jumeirah. A special air taxi station is required for these plans to land, and on April 17, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai reviewed the completion of the first air taxi station.
According to officials, the vertiport is expected to handle thousands of passengers daily once fully operational, underlining the scale of Dubai’s ambitions for urban air mobility. While the concept still feels futuristic, progress has been steady, with further testing and regulatory approvals underway ahead of the planned 2026 launch.
Across the UAE
Etihad Rail
Of course we can’t have a round-up of transportations coming to Dubai and not include the Etihad Rail. It is one of the UAE’s most ambitious travel projects, one that is set to link the seven emirates together.
And we can’t wait to hop onboard. Currently, it’s only the freight trains that are in service but according to a briefing led by HE Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, the launch date for the passenger train is set to be this year. However, it is important to note that the entire network will be fully operational by or before 2030.
Etihad Rail’s future ambitions extend beyond our borders into the rest of the GCC. In fact, in April 2026 we got an update that Hafeet Rail – the rail link between the UAE and Oman hit the 40% completion mark.
Concepts to watch for
Driverless pod rail system/Floc Duo Rail
At Gitex Global 2024, Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled plans for another new way to get around town that could see us saying goodbye to sitting in Sheikh Zayed Road traffic. The Floc Duo Rail is a self-driving, futuristic-looking electric pod rail system and could become a hassle-free way to travel around Dubai.
It will be able to operate both suspended in the air and on the ground and could help passengers get from A to B, or be used to take multiple passengers from certain points to other transport networks, such as the Dubai Metro.
It’s been a while since we’ve got official updates, but there are chances the technology for this is still being tested and developed.
Sky Pods
These dangling cable car-looking contraptions are more correctly titled “Suspended Transport Systems”. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense of the UAE, approved the 65km long network as part of Dubai’s Smart Mobility Strategy.
The service will connect Umm Suqeim Street, Al Khor, and Zabeel. Manufacturers claim it can reach speeds of up to 150 kph, and because they’re group transit and solar-powered, they can be five times as energy-efficient as current-gen electric vehicles.
Similar to the Floc Duo Rail, Sky Pods is a future mobility concept that is still being studied. Read more here.
Images: RTA
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