A major step in Dubai’s transport ambitions was announced on February 4, 2026 when the Roads and Transport Authority signed a partnership with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company at the World Governments Summit. The agreement sets the stage for the Dubai Loop, a 22 kilometre underground tunnel network with 19 stations designed to move passengers across key city locations at speeds of up to 150 km per hour using autonomous electric shuttles.
The first phase of the project will focus on a 6.4 kilometre pilot route connecting the Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Mall. This phase is expected to cost AED 565 million and will be completed within 1 year. According to RTA engineers, the twin tunnels with a diameter of 3.6 metres will initially handle 30000 passengers daily and reduce travel time between the two locations from 20 minutes to just 3 minutes. Construction will use The Boring Company’s Prufrock 3 boring machine, which allows work to begin in dense urban areas with minimal disruption.
The Loop is expected to transform short distance travel for business travellers, conference delegates and daily commuters. The RTA estimates a 20% reduction in traffic congestion on Sheikh Zayed Road once the full network is operational, along with annual CO₂ savings of 18000 tonnes. Future phases will connect Dubai International Airport and the planned 2029 Blue Line metro extension, creating a unified ticketing system across metro, tram, Loop and bus services.
As the city prepares for faster urban mobility, international visitors will still need smooth entry into the UAE. VisaHQ offers a fully digital visa application process that allows travellers to upload documents, track application status in real time and receive approvals online. Meanwhile, the RTA plans to open a vendor pre qualification window next quarter for fleet services, station development and payment solutions. Hotels along the pilot route are also preparing Loop Ready packages offering rapid transfers, while ESG teams are expected to benefit from reduced emissions by shifting ground transport to the electric Loop system.
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