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The free shuttle bus which is run by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi takes tourists and residents to the city’s attractions. Pawan Singh / The National
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Dubai's metro system has been expanded to integrate the network with the Expo 2020 site. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBRGH3GWLVEPPFUOXZU2KSJCD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a35da92bb459d55949758c84d50c54e25c6a68a125b03a033cc4ecb2af27b0aa&width=400&height=225)
The countdown clock along the Doha Corniche, as Qatar prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. A new metro system has been launched in the capital of Qatar ahead of the tournament. Photo: AFP
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Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition about Neom City which is being built in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters
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The Line is a 170km belt of hyper-connected future communities, without cars and roads, in Saudi's Arabia's new city of Neom. Photo: Neom
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Commuters in Dubai at the Business Bay Metro Station on their way to and from work. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Commuters wearing masks queue at the Al Safa Metro station to get on a Dubai Bus. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJUSU73PQZFTDCJZWU2LGDJDPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=410c70a0d9c0278856b6b20df10e60b08ca1828dce9a7a2386e2d2cfe8797c8e&width=400&height=225)
The free shuttle bus which is run by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi takes tourists and residents to the city’s attractions. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZAU6MBASYVEZDAR66Z47XXN7II.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3bf75d0a668515a26b545c047c5602a440346f67a08063df46c6247e7a866f7&width=400&height=225)
Dubai's metro system has been expanded to integrate the network with the Expo 2020 site. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBRGH3GWLVEPPFUOXZU2KSJCD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a35da92bb459d55949758c84d50c54e25c6a68a125b03a033cc4ecb2af27b0aa&width=400&height=225)
The countdown clock along the Doha Corniche, as Qatar prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2022. A new metro system has been launched in the capital of Qatar ahead of the tournament. Photo: AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MXTKHMVFPWNSPIWASTIN5YAH6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d89cd8b8be3806229f84cbd51e8e4a57a0d929e1bf52face410e91bc718b81b&width=400&height=225)
Visitors watch a 3D presentation during an exhibition about Neom City which is being built in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZWRLQTZLXSAHA5Z66ESLTEAIYI.png?smart=true&auth=309c3a37602af21ca85c6669b64d8fcf4c223ae3d0014058daa582c6fda719ed&width=400&height=225)
The Line is a 170km belt of hyper-connected future communities, without cars and roads, in Saudi's Arabia's new city of Neom. Photo: Neom
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YE43IJXD75FBNOJOVG6ZHHBQGQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=472f18d58238768b2d0838defb7f2eb9be35d01c5fb1f4b5471fed9f09df7c11&width=400&height=225)
Commuters in Dubai at the Business Bay Metro Station on their way to and from work. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOF6FNEX6BBKRBEOD43HUCNC7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a8b99a6c9b8c682c7d64e88ebd522e70945ed2a8bf81b0baa1e81cfb13fa1c5&width=400&height=225)
Commuters wearing masks queue at the Al Safa Metro station to get on a Dubai Bus. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJUSU73PQZFTDCJZWU2LGDJDPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=410c70a0d9c0278856b6b20df10e60b08ca1828dce9a7a2386e2d2cfe8797c8e&width=400&height=225)
The free shuttle bus which is run by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi takes tourists and residents to the city’s attractions. Pawan Singh / The National
Middle East megaprojects to usher in new era of public transport
Transport chief says owning a car has become less attractive amid growing populations and heavy traffic
![Patrick Ryan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fb4432acf-0cbd-43ef-bbf7-b903a0cba2bf.png?smart=true&auth=20b2c1ccbfa88518daf6fca336b04db526eccdfdd1ed279fd34cb8af25265a9e&width=70&height=70)
Patrick Ryan
08 February, 2022
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