Dubai is renowned for its decisiveness and ambition, a fact once again highlighted by its collaboration with Elon Musk. The city has recently signed an agreement with The Boring Company to construct a 17-kilometre underground tunnel system.
This new network will feature 11 stations and an initial capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour. In the future, this number could even rise to 100,000 per hour. This will make Dubai the second city in the world, after Las Vegas, where Musk will actually implement such a project.
The concept is simple: a high-speed transport system beneath the city, specifically designed to relieve congestion on busy traffic arteries such as Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. Although the exact mode of operation is not yet fully known, it is based on the system in Las Vegas, where Teslas shuttle passengers between stations. Whether the system in Dubai will be fully automated or only accessible to Tesla drivers has not yet been confirmed.
No Debate, Just Decisiveness
Dubai’s approach is unique in the world. While other cities often become entangled in endless permit procedures and public discussions, Dubai opts for direct action. When heavy rainfall last year exposed a shortfall in the drainage system, the government announced an USD 8 billion investment for a new drainage system within a week. Contractors were selected within a month.
The same decisiveness is now evident in the tunnel project. Where other cities invite Elon Musk but later withdraw due to bureaucratic obstacles, Dubai simply says, “We will build it.” This is not a metro line for the masses, but rather a futuristic upgrade for the transport of the future, focused on comfort, speed and efficiency.
With this project, Dubai once again demonstrates that it does not make plans to perhaps realise something one day, but instead moves directly from idea to execution. Whether the system will be as successful as in Las Vegas remains to be seen, but the tone has been set: if there is a problem, Dubai will provide a solution.
Edward Clarke is a seasoned property expert with extensive experience in international real estate investment, with a particular focus on Dubai’s fast-growing property market. Drawing on both personal investment experience and years of client advisory work, he helps investors make informed, realistic decisions when purchasing apartments, villas or off-plan developments in Dubai. With a pragmatic mindset, a sharp focus on returns and a strong commitment to transparency, Edward is a trusted point of contact for anyone considering a property investment in Dubai.
