Dubai Loop Expected to Launch Next Year, Ushering in a New Era of High-Speed Underground Travel

Dubai is preparing to redefine the future of transportation as the much-anticipated Dubai Loop project moves closer to becoming operational by next year. According to a Bloomberg report, the update was confirmed by Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.

The Dubai Loop, introduced earlier this year by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, represents a groundbreaking leap in urban mobility. Developed through his tunneling venture, The Boring Company, the system spans approximately 17 kilometers and features 11 high-speed stations designed to move more than 20,000 passengers per hour beneath the city.

This advanced underground network aims to provide a faster, safer, and weather-proof alternative to surface travel — addressing one of Dubai’s growing urban challenges: traffic congestion.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) officially partnered with The Boring Company in February during the World Government Summit (WGS), signaling Dubai’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge transport technologies into its smart city vision.

During his virtual address at the summit, Elon Musk highlighted his ambition to “transform the transportation sector through safe, efficient, and cost-effective tunnels” that could accommodate both passengers and freight.

Officials from the RTA explained that the Dubai Loop will enable passengers to reach destinations without intermediate stops, drastically cutting travel time. The project’s tunneling approach is expected to speed up construction while reducing costs and minimizing disruption to the city’s road network.

Urban mobility experts view the Dubai Loop as a potential game-changer for the region. Dr. Ahmed Al Mulla, co-founder of UAE consultancy firm Arkat, stated that shifting commuters from private vehicles to a high-speed underground network could dramatically ease congestion across Dubai. He noted, however, that success will depend on station design and accessibility, emphasizing the importance of connecting key commercial and residential hubs as well as linking the Loop with Dubai Metro and Etihad Rail.

Part of Dubai’s long-term strategy for intelligent, sustainable transport, the project marks another milestone in the emirate’s ambition to become a global hub for future-ready infrastructure.

If completed on schedule, Dubai will become the first city outside the United States to operate a functional Loop system — setting a global benchmark in smart, high-speed underground transit and reinforcing its status as a leader in innovation.