DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has approved a five-year plan to expand the city’s soft mobility network, aiming to make public transport easier to use and reduce reliance on private cars.
The program will connect 25 residential areas and improve access around 63 Metro and bus stations by 2030. It is designed to strengthen first- and last-mile travel through walking routes, cycling paths, e-scooter facilities and shared mobility services.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors at the RTA, said the project fits into Dubai’s broader plan for an integrated and sustainable transport system. He said it also supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
The new phase will expand soft mobility infrastructure to 25 additional residential communities, bringing the total targeted areas to 34 by the end of the decade.
The RTA said the network will include shaded walkways, safe crossings, bicycle parking, mobility hubs and designated pick-up and drop-off points. It will also include spaces for shared mobility services such as Careem Bike and e-scooter operators.
Officials said the effort reflects a wider shift in urban transport planning, with greater focus on how people complete the full journey between home, station and destination rather than just the transit ride itself.
The RTA said demand for these options has climbed sharply. Pedestrian trips reached 342 million in 2025, up 5% from the year before. Cycling trips rose 23% to 57.3 million, while e-scooter trips jumped nearly 23% to 39.6 million.
Al Tayer said the next stage will focus on stronger links between neighborhoods, business districts and major destinations, turning stations into more complete mobility hubs for residents and visitors.
Work is already under way in Dubai Marina, Al Murar, Naif, Al Rigga and Al Muraqqabat. The authority has also completed upgrades in nine residential areas and around 37 Metro stations.
Those earlier improvements included pedestrian pathways, cycling routes, access features and mobility hubs. The RTA said similar works will continue as Dubai pushes for a more connected transport system across the city.
By linking more communities to public transport, the project aims to make commuting simpler, cut traffic pressure and support everyday travel choices that are more sustainable.
