Sheikh Hamdan reveals details about Dubai Loop underground project
It will be developed with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company…
Over the past three days, Dubai has announced RAILBUS – a sustainable future mass transit system powered by solar energy, a seaglider – that will get you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 30 minutes, and now we’ve been introduced to the Dubai Loop.
The Dubai Loop project was announced on Day 3 of the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 in a virtual session with Elon Musk and Omar AlOlama, UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
According to AlOlama, the loop will ‘cover Dubai’s most densely populated areas for people to go from point to point’. Describing it as a ‘wormhole’, Musk stated you will board from one part of the city, and then you’re out in another part.
Musk stated that although airspace is another great mode of transportation to help stop congestion, it can be a challenge, especially in bad weather. He also pointed out it can be noisy and generates a lot of wind force.
A few hours after the news broke about the underground transportation project, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai shared more details.
On the sidelines of the World Governments Summit today, we announced a partnership to launch the Dubai Loop project that is set to revolutionise transportation. Under an MoU signed between RTA and The Boring Company, Dubai will explore the development of the 17-kilometre project.… pic.twitter.com/clMrOj0VtY
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 13, 2025
Speaking on the project, Sheikh Hamdan stated that the Dubai Loop project ‘is set to revolutionise transportation.’
The agreement signed between RTA and The Boring Company (a company founded by Elon Musk), will ‘explore the development of the 17-kilometre project.’
The project will have 11 stations and have the capacity to transport 20,000 passengers per hour.
He stated, ‘The project reflects Dubai’s commitment to advancing new cutting-edge mobility solutions. Dubai’s spirit of innovation thrives on strong partnerships with global industry leaders,’ adding that ‘under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ‘the city continues to redefine the future of transportation, both above and below ground, setting new benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and urban connectivity.’
In the post, Sheikh Hamdan shared that the Dubai Loop will be able to directly travel to destination stations with no stops, at speeds of up to 160kmph. Keeping sustainability in mind, it will be an all-electric mode of transportation.
Other futuristic transportation modes announced at WGS…
RAILBUS
The RAILBUS was also announced during WGS this year. It will be a sustainable future mass transit system powered by solar energy, thus making it a sustainable and efficient public transport solution. The system aligns with UAE Net Zero Strategy 2050 which aims to make 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai autonomous by 2030. It will be made using 3D printing technology using recyclable materials and will be able to carry 40 passengers. It will move on tracks across the city through a network of bridges. Read more here.
Seaglider
The Seaglider was also unveiled by Billy Thalheimer, founder and CEO of Regent Craft at WGS. Set to transit passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the seaglider will set you back just Dhs165. The fully electric craft is a cross between a glider (a light aircraft) and boat. It combines the speed of an aircraft with the accessibility of a boat and is designed for travel between coastal cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It essentially uses the ‘wing-in-ground effect’ – a technology that has been around for over 60 years. It will be able to travel up to speeds of 290kph cutting down travel times. Read more here.
Images: Unsplash (used for illustrative purpose)
