Dubai Buys 637 Eco Buses and to Host Global Transport Summit 2026

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has made two big announcements during its participation in the Global Public Transport Summit 2025 held in Hamburg, Germany. First, Dubai was officially chosen to host the 2026 edition of the summit, making it the second time the emirate will welcome this global event. Second, RTA signed a major agreement worth AED 1.1 billion to purchase 637 environmentally friendly buses, including 40 electric buses – the largest order of its kind in the UAE.

The buses, scheduled to arrive in 2025 and 2026, will help improve public transport across Dubai. They include double-decker buses, articulated buses for busy routes, and low-emission city service buses. All of them meet the Euro 6 environmental standards. These buses will come with advanced features such as Wi-Fi, phone charging ports, smart passenger counting systems, and driver monitoring technology. Many will have low-floor designs for easy boarding, especially for People of Determination, and include family-friendly seating, bicycle spaces, and a clean, modern look that matches Dubai’s image. Some will also have palm-scan payment systems, removing the need for cards or cash.

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The summit brought together over 1,900 experts and leaders from more than 100 countries to discuss the future of public transport, including sustainability, smart mobility, urban planning, safety, and innovation. RTA showcased several future projects like the Dubai Walk master plan for pedestrian-friendly streets, the new Blue Line metro project, solar-powered RAILBUS, electric abra boats made using 3D printing, and the upcoming aerial taxi system expected to launch by 2026.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, highlighted that public transport usage in Dubai has grown from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024. He also emphasised that these developments reflect Dubai’s commitment to providing world-class transport solutions and maintaining its position as a global leader in infrastructure and mobility.

He also visited several international stands at the summit, including Volkswagen’s display of autonomous electric vehicles like the ID. Buzz AD, and held discussions about potential trials of self-driving vehicles in Dubai in the future.

With this agreement and upcoming summit, Dubai continues its journey to becoming a smart, inclusive, and sustainable city where future mobility is already taking shape today