Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said Monday that the city would soon have a new kind of public transportation: the Rail Bus, a fully 3D-printed car constructed from recyclable materials. The autonomous, solar-powered system, which is still in development, is anticipated to completely transform urban mobility in the emirate.
Currently on display in the Madinat Jumeirah for the World Government Summit 2025 is a model of the Rail Bus. Accessibility for all is ensured by the bus's eye-catching black and gold façade, which also includes two rows of orange seats and capacity for people with disabilities. There are 22 seats in each carriage, which may hold 40 people.
Real-time live updates regarding the trip, such as the time, weather, and future stops, will be displayed on screens above the seats. Control panels are located on both ends of the carriage, and passenger safety instructions are shown on either side of the bus.
In order to guarantee a connected, effective, and smooth mobility experience—especially for first- and last-mile travel—the bus will be integrated with other public transportation systems through frequent and flexible routing. It is anticipated that elevated rails will be constructed across the emirate to support the low-cost system. The bus, which will be 2.9 meters high and 11.5 meters long, will be powered entirely by solar energy and run on its own. It is intended to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The project is in line with Dubai's goal of becoming the smartest city in the world and supports important national initiatives, such as the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, Dubai's Zero-Emissions Public Transport Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030, which intends to switch to autonomous travel for 25% of daily trips.
The Rail Bus maximizes efficiency and minimizes environmental impact with its lightweight, scalable 3D-printed frame.
