Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that it has approved a five-year plan to expand the emirate's soft mobility network through 2030.
It is aimed at strengthening 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, said RTA in a statement.
The plan encompasses infrastructure development across 25 residential areas and upgrades to the infrastructure surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030.
According to RTA, 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
Announcing the plan, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: it 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,” he stated.
Al Tayer pointed out that the global mobility sector was 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,” noted Al Tayer.
Dubai, he stated, 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.
Maturity of infrastructure
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%,” he added.
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.
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, he stated.
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, he added.
Sustainable mobility boost
According to RTA, the plan supports Dubai's drive to boost 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, said RTA in a statement.
The soft mobility initiative reflects the Authority’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.
According to RTA, 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, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
