Skip to main content

Abu Dhabi unveils new public transport plan

The new public transport plan for Abu Dhabi in the UAE will consist of bus rapid transit (BRT) and two light-rail tram lines, while the planned 130-km railway network has been shortened to 70-km, according to the department of transport (DoT). The first phase of the metro railway is expected to operate by 2020 and it will cover 18km. The metro trains will travel at 80 to 100 km per hour. There will be two light railway lines that cover 40km that will travel at an average speed of 20 km per hour and the BRT
March 29, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The new public transport plan for Abu Dhabi in the UAE will consist of bus rapid transit (BRT) and two light-rail tram lines, while the planned 130-km railway network has been shortened to 70-km, according to the 1830 Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation (DoT).

The first phase of the metro railway is expected to operate by 2020 and it will cover 18km. The metro trains will travel at 80 to 100 km per hour. There will be two light railway lines that cover 40km that will travel at an average speed of 20 km per hour and the BRT with dedicated bus lanes is scheduled to operate in 2016. The light railway system is expected to be completed in 2018.

Abu Dhabi DoT predicts that the public transport system will handle 823,000 passengers per day and save 102 million hours of travelling time a year by 2030. The monetary value of travelling hours saved is estimated at US$1.03 billion and the number of accidents will be reduced by 23,000.

Related Content

  • Archer sets eVTOL sights on Abu Dhabi
    October 20, 2023
    60–90-minute car commutes to be replaced by 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights
  • Caltrans takes the long view of transport
    October 21, 2016
    Caltrans’ Malcolm Dougherty took time out of his schedule at ITS America 2016 in San Jose to talk to ITS International about current and future challenges. As director of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since mid-2012, many would say that Malcolm Dougherty has one of the best jobs in transportation. Caltrans is one of the most progressive and innovative transport authorities, implementing policies to encourage cycling, piloting new
  • Dubai plans major transportation projects
    September 25, 2014
    According to Mattar Al Tayer, chairman and executive director of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the authority is planning at least another 35 mega projects in the future after spending about US$19.8 billion so far in upgrading services in the city. Speaking at InnoTrans 2014 in Berlin, Al Tayer said work was progressing on projects related to Expo 2020. He said these would include the extension of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, upgrading roads and junctions surrounding and leading to t
  • Birmingham CAZ is green for go
    July 26, 2021
    For urban authorities worldwide, the health of residents is racing up the political agenda. Ben Spencer looks at how one city - Birmingham, UK - has established its own Clean Air Zone and is investing in alternative-fuel vehicles and public transport incentives