Dubai approves 5-Year Soft Mobility Plan covering 25 residential areas and 63 Public Transport Stations by 2030

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a five-year plan to expand the emirate's soft mobility network through 2030.

The plan aims to strengthen links between residential areas and public transport stations and to build an integrated urban mobility system that supports first- and last-mile journeys, making travel easier and safer for residents and visitors.

The plan encompasses infrastructure development across 25 residential areas and upgrades to the infrastructure surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030.

Areas covered by the soft mobility project are selected according to a set of priorities, including the availability of public transport services, high levels of public transport use, population density, land-use patterns, whether residential, commercial or mixed-use, and the existing condition of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the area.

The selection process also considers each area's future development plans under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Future Mobility Ecosystem

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “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.”

Al Tayer added: “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.

Plans also aims to build an integrated urban mobility system that supports first- and last-mile journeys, making travel easier and safer for residents and visitors

“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%.”

Making Public Transport More Attractive

Al Tayer noted that RTA views the development of the urban environment surrounding public transport stations as a strategic investment that maximises the value of transport infrastructure and increases the appeal of public transport.

He explained that providing pedestrian and cycling tracks, safe 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, encourages residents to adopt more sustainable mobility patterns and strengthens 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 and connecting residential areas, business districts and vital facilities with metro and bus stations and other public transport modes. This will transform every station into an integrated mobility hub, offering residents and visitors a more flexible, efficient and sustainable mobility service.

Plan Details

The five-year soft mobility plan will extend soft mobility elements to 25 residential areas, bringing the total number of targeted areas 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 upgrading the infrastructure surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030, to make it easier to access metro and bus stations and raise the efficiency of the integrated mobility system.

The plan also includes upgrading the infrastructure surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030.

The plan supports Dubai's drive to increase reliance on public transport and sustainable mobility. It will deliver an integrated infrastructure network that is friendly and accessible to everyone, strengthening links between development projects, key destinations and public transport stations through individual mobility modes such as walking, cycling and e-scooters.

First- and last-mile requirements will be developed through a comprehensive set of transport integration elements and requirements, 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

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 urban environment surrounding 37 metro stations, most notably Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, ONPASSIVE, Gold Souq, BurJuman, Baniyas Square, Sharaf DG and Abu Hail. The works included implementing an integrated network of pedestrian and cycling paths, upgrading pavements, constructing safe pedestrian crossings, providing facilities for People of Determination, developing mobility hubs, establishing stations and parking bays for shared mobility services, and carrying out urban beautification works. Together, these efforts help reinforce first- and last-mile journeys and achieve greater integration between different transport modes.

The soft mobility initiative reflects RTA's vision of transitioning towards an interconnected urban mobility ecosystem in which the road network is integrated with the public transport system, comprising the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport and taxis, together with individual mobility modes, within a single network that delivers a seamless, safe and sustainable journey. This supports economic and urban growth and strengthens Dubai's competitiveness and global leadership in smart mobility and quality of life.

Comprehensive Study

It is worth noting that RTA conducted a comprehensive study to build a master plan for non-motorised transport modes across the Emirate of Dubai. The study focused on providing suitable infrastructure for relatively long- and medium-distance journeys, to ensure safe and easy mobility for all, and on setting a strategy for expanding the use of non-motorised individual mobility modes.

The soft mobility initiative reflects RTA's vision of transitioning towards an interconnected urban mobility ecosystem.

The strategy aims to create infrastructure that is friendly to residents, provide a suitable 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

The soft mobility project includes the development of transport integration elements, namely facilities for People of Determination, raised pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, cycling tracks of various types, and bicycle parking bays, in addition to the installation of directional and warning signs, pavement modifications, and shared-use lanes for vehicles and non-traditional transport modes.

It also includes the implementation of rest areas featuring green spaces and seating, as well as shaded areas and pathways that 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. Together, these elements contribute to enhancing the quality of life of Dubai's residents.