6 Dynamics Transforming Urban Mobility in MENA

The Middle East and North Africa region is undergoing a profound transformation in urban mobility. As governments across the region seek to reduce car dependency, cut emissions, and respond to rapid urbanisation, public transport is emerging not only as a strategic pillar of sustainable development but also as a key tool to enhance quality of life in cities. From high-tech metro systems and electric buses to integrated fare platforms and public-private partnerships, a new era is taking shape—one that aligns with national visions, global climate commitments, and the evolving needs of urban residents in terms of
mobility and overall accessibility.

To assess, understand, and support this transformation, the MENA Centre for Transport Excellence—established in 2011 as a joint initiative between Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP)—has launched the 7th edition of its premier intelligence publication, The MENA Transport Report. Based on insights from this report, the following article outlines six key dynamics currently redefining the public transport landscape across the region.

These dynamics reflect both the challenges and innovations shaping cities today and offer a clearer view of how and why the region is moving towards more resilient, efficient, and accessible mobility networks.

Rail infrastructure is taking a central role in the mobility strategies of many MENA cities. While several countries are introducing metro and tramway systems for the first time, others are expanding or modernising existing fleets. In cities like Jeddah and Baghdad, large-scale projects are in the pipeline, reflecting growing recognition that rail networks are essential to addressing urban congestion, emissions, and connectivity. The pace of investment is notable: nearly 80% of the region’s tramway networks have been launched in the last decade alone.

Metro Network Length per Million Inhabitants

Tramway Fleet Size per Million Inhabitants

North Africa has been especially active on the tramway front. Algeria has rolled out one of the most extensive tramway programs in the region, with multiple systems operating across both primary and secondary cities. Casablanca and Rabat have also invested steadily in modern, expanding tramway networks that serve dense urban corridors and connect growing suburbs. On the metro side, Tehran and Riyadh operate the two longest systems in MENA. When measured per million inhabitants, both cities show comparable network density, suggesting similar levels of coverage relative to population size. Doha, on the other hand, stands out: despite its smaller population, it has the highest number of metro kilometres per capita in the region—a reflection of early, strategic investment in high-capacity transport.

In response to the significant investments in urban rail and recent major developments in the sector, UITP has launched the Eurasia and MENA Urban Rail Platform in April 2025 – an initiative that brings together authorities and operators to exchange experiences and share best practices and knowledge across both regions.

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE).

Bus Rapid Transit systems are gaining momentum across the MENA region as urban authorities prioritise scalable and cost-effective solutions to public transport challenges. Unlike metro or light rail systems that require high upfront capital and longer delivery times, BRT offers a flexible alternative capable of delivering high-capacity, reliable service at a fraction of the cost.

BRT vehicles per Million Inhabitants

Tehran currently operates the largest BRT system in the region in terms of fleet size, serving as a backbone of the city’s public transport network. In Amman, BRT developments has progressed rapidly, with a network length per million residents now approaching that of Jakarta- the world’s longest BRT system. Amman’s performance is not only measured in infrastructure but in growing public adoption – its BRT ridership increased threefold from 4.9 million in 2022 to 18.6 million in 2024. This rapid growth reflects rising public confidence in the system’s reliability, accessibility, and integration into daily commuting patterns. Casablanca has recently joined this trend with the launch of its first BRT line, designed to enhance multimodal integration with the city’s tram network and alleviate road congestion.

In Saudi Arabia, BRT is being strategically coordinated with major infrastructure investments: Riyadh has put in place a BRT system that complements its six-line metro project, while Jeddah and other cities such as Dammam and Madinah are exploring BRT corridors to extend high-capacity service to underserved areas. These development highlight once again a broader regional shift- where BRT is seen both as an effective alternative to heavy rail investments and a critical component of integrated, multimodal sustainable urban transport planning.

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE)

Coordinated by UITP, the EU-project eBRT2030 is a major milestone in electric mobility that seeks to support sustainable urban transport by proposing innovative solutions for electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). [Find out more here]

Accessibility: More Than Just a Matter of Income

While higher income levels are often associated with better access to public transport, the MENA region demonstrates that financial wealth alone doesn’t guarantee widespread coverage. In high income countries, robust budgets often support expensive transport infrastructure, enhancing residents’ access to jobs, education, and services. This, in turn, feeds into greater economic participation and urban resilience. However, the relationship is not purely linear—accessibility also depends heavily on policy choices, urban planning, and how transport is integrated into the broader city fabric. Data from the region shows stark contrasts, even among countries with similar income levels. Some rapidly growing urban areas experience infrastructure shortfalls, where transport networks have not kept pace with demographic expansion. Cities that succeed in achieving high accessibility tend to implement forward-looking strategies, invest in multimodal integration, and prioritise first and last-mile connectivity. These findings show that strategic planning—more than wealth alone—is what ensures inclusive and accessible public transport.

Source: SDG Indicators Database, United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2023) – Processed by Our World in Data, then by UITP CTE MENA. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE), MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025.

UITP recognises the critical role of first and last-mile connectivity in achieving effective urban mobility. In a dedicated report, a comprehensive roadmap was outlined to enhance walkability and improve access across the region. [Download the report here]. Also, UITP partnered with Walk21 to inform a landmark publication on the integration of walking and public transport. [Read the full Policy Brief here]

The rise of ride-hailing, bus-on-demand services, and electric micromobility is fundamentally reshaping urban mobility in the MENA region, serving as both a catalyst and a consequence of the broader push toward smart city development. As regional governments and municipalities seek to enhance accessibility, reduce congestion, and lower emissions, these flexible and tech-enabled mobility solutions are increasingly integrated into formal transport strategies. Cities such as Dubai, Tehran, Rabat, Riyadh and Doha have launched dedicated smart mobility programs that incorporate real-time journey planning, demand-responsive transport, and digital payment platforms—facilitating seamless travel across multiple modes. Ride-hailing services, once considered peripheral, are now being formalised through regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships, allowing them to complement existing public transport and expand coverage in low-density areas.

Similarly, bus-on-demand systems powered by real-time geospatial data are being deployed to optimise fleet allocation, especially during off-peak hours or in new developments. Electric micromobility— including shared e-scooters, e-bikes, and compact e-vehicles—is also on the rise, offering sustainable first- and last-mile options in urban cores and around transport hubs. These innovations are not only improving user convenience but also feeding data into larger urban mobility platforms, allowing cities to plan more intelligently and operate more efficiently. As the boundaries between public and private transport continue to blur in this evolving ecosystem, the critical question becomes: how can cities design governance models that ensure innovation serves the public interest without compromising safety and security?

UITP has established a dedicated Working Group on “AI in Public Transport” and has published the first report on how to use AI in Urban mobility.

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE).

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE).

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE)

The transition toward sustainable public transport is gaining traction across the MENA region, with electric buses and alternative fuels playing an increasingly central role in national mobility strategies. This shift is driven by a convergence of climate commitments, urban air quality imperatives, and the pursuit of long-term energy diversification. Qatar has emerged as a regional frontrunner, inaugurating the Lusail Bus Depot—the world’s largest electric bus depot according to Guinness World Records—which supported the deployment of over 800 e-buses. The facility integrates renewable energy, with 11,000 solar panels generating 4 megawatts daily, and reflects the country’s broader strategy to electrify its public fleet.

Similarly, the United Arab Emirates is advancing a Green Bus Program in Abu Dhabi, under which pilot operations of electric and hydrogen-powered buses have begun as part of a roadmap to transition the emirate’s public transport system to a fully green model by 2030. Saudi Arabia is also investing heavily in electrified and alternative-fuel public transport, integrating e-buses into Riyadh’s expanding network, with the newly-launched metro, and embedding clean mobility into the urban design of NEOM and other Vision 2030 projects. Egypt and Morocco are leveraging domestic manufacturing and renewable energy sources to deploy clean buses at scale, with a growing focus on compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid technologies.

Rather than representing isolated national experiments, these initiatives signify the early consolidation of a regional model for decarbonised mobility- one that blends infrastructure modernisation with industrial policy and energy transition. With the rise of alternative fuels in different cities of MENA, the region offers evidence of a pathway where strategic state planning, climate policies, and techno-economic adaptation are shaping the next frontier of sustainable urban transport.

UITP CTE MENA released a new report on “The Rise of Electric Buses in the MENA Landscape”. The report delivers an overview of how electric buses are reshaping the overall public transport. [Access the report here].

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE)

Affordability remains a critical dimension of public transport equity across MENA. While income level is a key influence, once again, the real differentiator lies in how cities translate economic capacity into accessible fare policies. In high-income cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, the cost of a monthly public transport pass accounts for a relatively small portion of average income, placing them among the most affordable in the region. This suggests that strong fiscal resources, when paired with policy intent, can ensure that public transport remains a viable and attractive option for all socioeconomic groups. Even cities like Makkah and Sharjah—though smaller in scale—fall within the first quartile in terms of affordability, signalling the impact of targeted subsidies and fare regulation.

Conversely, cities in lower-middle-income countries, such as Cairo, face a heavier burden. Here, high fare-to-income ratios risk marginalising lower-income residents, limiting access to essential services and reinforcing socioeconomic divides. Addressing these disparities requires sustained investment, smarter fare design, and a commitment to ensuring that public transport supports—not strains—residents’ financial wellbeing. Public transport systems that remain mindful of household income levels are more likely to promote consistent ridership, support economic mobility, and enhance quality of life.

Transport Economics Committee (TEC) has published a report on “Keeping it fare: How to make public transport fares affordable”. [Access the report here].

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AFFORDABILITY BY INCOME LEVELS

Source: MENA TRANSPORT REPORT, 2025. © UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence (UITP MENA CTE)

The evolving mobility landscape in the MENA region reflects both remarkable progress and persistent challenges. Investments in rail infrastructure, the expansion of Bus Rapid Transit systems, and the growing adoption of e-buses signal a clear commitment to modernising public transport and reducing emissions. Simultaneously, the emergence of micromobility solutions and on-demand services is helping address first and last-mile gaps—key obstacles to seamless, connected and inclusive mobility. Yet, structural issues such as limited accessibility and pronounced disparities in affordability across income levels remain pressing concerns. These challenges require coordinated efforts that prioritise inclusivity, integration, and affordability in system design as well as knowledge-sharing between the different stakeholders.

UITP and its members are playing a central role in shaping this transition through robust knowledge production and peer exchange across working bodies and platforms. From technical reports on electric bus deployment or the way to use AI in urban mobility to in-depth intelligence publications, UITP’s collective expertise continues to support cities and operators in designing public transport systems that are not only efficient and technologically advanced but also accessible, affordable, and socially inclusive.

Access the different editions of the MENA Transport Report here: [2025, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010]