Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that autonomous, self-driving buses will begin commercial operations across the emirate in 2027. The decision comes after a successful pilot phase, where one of the self-driving buses operated between Al Jaddaf Marine Station and Al Khour Metro Station, transporting more than 1,300 passengers in a single month without any performance issues or complaints.
Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems at RTA, confirmed that the trial’s strong results paved the way for this next major step toward autonomous public transportation.
The Vision: A Fully Integrated Autonomous Mobility District
The launch of self-driving buses is part of a broader initiative — the creation of Dubai’s Autonomous Transport Zone, which will cover 15 square kilometers in Dubai Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour. This smart district will feature six interconnected modes of autonomous transport, all integrated with the city’s existing metro network.
Implementation of the project will begin gradually in 2026 and continue through 2027.
Beyond Buses: Taxis and Ferries Will Also Be Driverless
Alongside the buses, the RTA plans to introduce autonomous taxis and marine ferries (abras) to further enhance smart mobility options within the emirate. These services will be operated by leading global technology companies specializing in self-driving vehicles.
The first phase of commercial autonomous taxi services is expected to launch as early as the first quarter of 2026.
Strategic Goal: Supporting Dubai 2040
This initiative directly supports Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and intelligent transport solutions. The Autonomous Transport Zone is designed to serve as a scalable model that can be expanded to other parts of the city in the future.
Despite the global challenges surrounding autonomous vehicle adoption — including limited manufacturers and complex road environments — Dubai is pushing forward by building strong international partnerships and developing advanced systems tailored for local needs.
With the upcoming deployment of self-driving buses, taxis, and ferries, Dubai is taking another bold step toward redefining the future of urban mobility.
