Dubai's RTA takes delivery of 250 buses, including 40 electric

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has received 250 new buses as the first delivery under a wider 735-bus procurement deal, with the remaining vehicles due to arrive later in 2026.

The batch includes 40 electric buses, described as the largest electric bus deployment of its kind in the UAE so far, as Dubai steps up efforts to cut emissions and encourage more residents to use public transport for everyday travel.

The RTA says the new 12-metre Zhongtong electric bus has been tailored for local operating conditions and can travel up to 280 km on a single charge, allowing it to complete daily services without returning to the depot to recharge.

It can carry around 70 passengers, and includes features such as 360-degree cameras and safety systems designed to perform reliably in the UAE climate. RTA said trial runs in Dubai produced strong results for efficiency, stability and passenger comfort.

All new buses meet the Euro 6 low-emissions standard, and the full order includes a mix of vehicles aimed at improving coverage and handling higher passenger demand, including, city buses for regular routes, double-decker buses for busy corridors, and articulated buses for high-density areas and expanding neighbourhoods.

Many of the new buses will also include systems to improve safety and operations, such as driver behaviour monitoring, automated passenger counting, driver identity authentication, low-floor access for People of Determination, Wi-Fi and mobile charging, family-designated seating with seatbelts and spaces for bicycles.

The RTA says the rollout supports Dubai’s longer-term shift towards cleaner public transport, with plans to increase the number of electric buses operating across the emirate in the coming years.