Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has approved a five-year plan to expand the emirate’s soft mobility network, covering 25 residential areas and upgrading the infrastructure around 63 public transport stations by 2030.
The plan aims to strengthen links between residential areas and public transport stations and to build a system that supports first- and last-mile journeys for residents and visitors.
Areas included in the soft mobility project are chosen according to a set of priorities. These include the availability of public transport services, the level of public transport use, population density, land-use patterns (whether residential, commercial or mixed-use), and the state of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the area.
The selection process also takes into account each area’s future development plans under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
Al Tayer: Soft mobility is a pillar of the future mobility ecosystem
“The plan forms part of RTA’s efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as the best city in the world to live in, and to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system that keeps pace with urban and population growth while enhancing quality of life. Soft mobility has become one of the strategic enablers of the future mobility ecosystem and a key pillar in strengthening integration across transport modes. It reinforces public transport’s position as the preferred mobility choice and supports Dubai’s sustainability and quality-of-life objectives, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan,” Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority said in a statement.
“The global mobility sector is undergoing a fundamental shift in the philosophy of infrastructure development. Success is now measured by a mobility system’s ability to deliver an integrated, safe and seamless journey that allows residents and visitors to move between different transport modes with ease, efficiency and safety. Dubai has succeeded in building one of the world’s most advanced public transport systems by strengthening integration between the road network, public transport modes and individual mobility modes. Pedestrian journeys rose from 326 million in 2024 to 342 million in 2025, a growth of 5%, while the maturity of infrastructure surrounding public transport stations reached 87% and pedestrian satisfaction across Dubai rose to 89%. Cycling trips increased from 46.6 million in 2024 to 57.3 million in 2025, a growth of 23%, and e-scooter trips rose from 32.3 million in 2024 to 39.6 million in 2025, a growth of nearly 23%,” Al Tayer added.
Plan aims to make public transport more attractive
Al Tayer said RTA views the development of the environment around public transport stations as an investment that maximises the value of transport infrastructure and increases the appeal of public transport.
He explained that pedestrian and cycling tracks, pedestrian crossings, facilities for People of Determination, shading and urban beautification elements, and stations and parking bays for shared mobility services such as Careem Bike and e-scooter rental operators, encourage residents to adopt sustainable mobility patterns and strengthen connectivity between the city’s different components.
He added that the next phase will focus on completing the final link in the customer journey by developing first- and last-mile requirements, connecting residential areas, business districts and facilities with metro and bus stations and other public transport modes. This will turn every station into a mobility hub, offering residents and visitors a mobility service with more flexibility, efficiency and sustainability.
Plan details: 25 residential areas, 63 transport stations by 2030
The five-year soft mobility plan will extend soft mobility elements to 25 residential areas, bringing the total number of areas covered to 34 by 2030. Soft mobility elements are currently being implemented in five areas: Dubai Marina, Al Murar, Naif, Al Rigga and Al Muraqqabat.
The plan also includes upgrades to the infrastructure around 63 public transport stations by 2030, to ease access to metro and bus stations and raise the efficiency of the mobility system.
The plan supports Dubai’s drive to increase reliance on public transport and sustainable mobility. It will deliver an infrastructure network accessible to everyone, strengthening links between development projects, destinations and public transport stations through modes such as walking, cycling and e-scooters.
First- and last-mile requirements will be developed through a set of transport integration elements, including cycling tracks, pedestrian crossings and rest areas, shaded areas and pathways, landscaping, vehicle parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off points, and bicycle parking facilities.
Completed phases: Nine areas and 37 metro stations upgraded
RTA has previously developed soft mobility elements across nine residential areas: Al Mankhool, Al Qusais, Al Karama, Al Barsha 1, Al Barsha 2, Al Khawaneej 2, Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail and Al Souk Al Kabeer.
RTA has also upgraded the environment around 37 metro stations, among them Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, ONPASSIVE, Gold Souq, BurJuman, Baniyas Square, Sharaf DG and Abu Hail. The works included a network of pedestrian and cycling paths, pavement upgrades, pedestrian crossings, facilities for People of Determination, mobility hubs, stations and parking bays for shared mobility services, and urban beautification works. RTA said these efforts help reinforce first- and last-mile journeys and achieve integration between transport modes.
The soft mobility initiative reflects RTA’s vision of an urban mobility ecosystem in which the road network is linked with the public transport system — comprising the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport and taxis — together with individual mobility modes, within one network that delivers a journey with safety and sustainability. RTA said this supports economic and urban growth and strengthens Dubai’s competitiveness and standing in smart mobility and quality of life.
Study behind the plan covers non-motorised transport across Dubai
RTA conducted a study to build a master plan for non-motorised transport modes across the Emirate of Dubai. The study focused on providing infrastructure for medium- and long-distance journeys, to support mobility for all, and on setting a strategy for expanding the use of non-motorised individual mobility modes.
The strategy aims to create infrastructure for residents, provide an environment for People of Determination within the road right-of-way, and strengthen connectivity between the city’s components by facilitating movement between development projects and areas of attraction. It also covers the development of first- and last-mile standards and requirements, increasing the use of non-traditional, non-motorised modes such as walking and cycling, and developing a guide to transport integration requirements and standards for application across all RTA projects.
Transport integration elements included in the project
The soft mobility project includes transport integration elements: facilities for People of Determination, raised pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, cycling tracks of various types, and bicycle parking bays, along with directional and warning signs, pavement modifications, and shared-use lanes for vehicles and non-traditional transport modes.
It also includes rest areas with green spaces and seating, as well as shaded areas and pathways intended to encourage residents to adopt soft mobility. Additional elements include vehicle parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off points, and stations and parking bays for shared mobility services. RTA said these elements contribute to enhancing the quality of life of Dubai’s residents.
