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Watch: How Dubai's RailBus will connect internal areas of Karama, Al Barsha, Deira to Metro
Like the Metro and Tram, RailBus – which will run on solar power – will also be driverless and will be 3D-printed using recycled materials
- PUBLISHED: Thu 13 Feb 2025, 5:30 AM
As a first and last mile solution, RailBus — that was unveiled at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 on Monday – will have multiple stations/ hubs in densely populated communities across Dubai, a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official told Khaleej Times.
Malek Ramadan Mishmish, director of rail planning and projects development department at RTA, said the purpose of RailBus is to serve communities not yet reached by Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram. “This means, there will be a RailBus network in the internal areas of Karama, Al Barsha or Deira which are not connected to Dubai Metro,” he explained.
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"RailBus will have a separate rail network within a particular area of the community. The vehicles, which are designed to be spacious with ample room for seating and standing, will pick up passengers from their neighbourhoods and bring them to the Metro,” he added.
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Mishmish also said that the RailBus is designed to operate with minimal noise. “This feature is particularly beneficial in residential communities because there will be reduced noise pollution,” said the RTA official.
RTA is aiming to complete the technical and feasibility studies for the RailBus in the next two to three years.
“RTA came up with the idea of RailBus — that combines the features of a rail and bus — to accommodate the needs of the riding public. We are combining rail features and the convenience of a bus. RailBus will help commuters reach their destination, especially in areas where we have tight corridors and where the existing Metro cannot reach yet,” he added.
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Like the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, RailBus — which will run on solar power — will also be driverless. But it is more cost-efficient than building Dubai Metro or Tram, noted Mishmish.
RailBus will be 3D printed using recycled materials. The model displayed at WGS boasts of a futuristic design — sleek and modern — that is optimised for urban landscapes, added Mishmish, who noted the aerodynamic design reduces energy consumption while ensuring passenger comfort.
The capsule-like vehicle is 11.5 metres in length, 2.65m wide and 2.9m tall. It will run on elevated tracks that are designed to comply with international rail standards. RailBus can run up to 100kmph and carry up to 40 passengers (24 seated and 16 standing). Because it is 3D-printed, RailBus will only weigh 8 tonnes without passengers.
