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Dubai’s RTA Unveils Solar-Powered “RailBus” Transit System
The autonomous vehicle will be built using 3D printing technologies and recyclable materials, and can accommodate up to 40 passengers.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced the RailBus project — a high-tech, solar-powered and completely autonomous public transport system. The announcement of the concept, confirmed by Dubai’s government media office, aligns with the Emirate’s Net Zero 2050 strategy.
The RailBus is being championed by the government as a game-changer for urban mobility. The project was reviewed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, alongside His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The review took place at the World Governments Summit, where Dubai’s RTA had its own stand.
The RailBus system is designed with sustainability in mind: Built using 3D printing technologies and recyclable materials, each carriage weighs around 7 tons and accommodates up to 40 passengers. The 11.5-meter-long and 2.65-meter-wide carriages can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h. The system is projected to cut operational costs by 20-30% compared to more conventional public transit types.
Dubai’s government confirmed that the RTA will conduct “technical studies” to determine optimal locations for pilot projects. The initiative follows an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between the RTA and US-based company RAILBUS Inc., which aims to develop the world’s first fully solar-powered public transport network.
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His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, who briefed Sheikh Mohammed, highlighted the potential of RailBus: “The project reflects RTA’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships and supporting start-ups in developing next-generation autonomous transport systems. RailBus is solar-powered, highly efficient, and cost-effective, integrating with Dubai’s public transport network. It also enhances first and last-mile connectivity, ensuring safe, smooth, and sustainable travel for residents and visitors in urban areas”.
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Influencer Growth Fuels Saudi Creator Economy Surge
The Kingdom’s creator economy grew over 32% in Q1 2025, fueled by TikTok, UGC, and cost-per-action (CPA) influencer models.
Saudi Arabia’s creator economy saw a significant 32.37% growth in the first quarter of 2025, driven by an uptick in influencer marketing, content-driven e-commerce, and the increasing influence of user-generated content (UGC). These insights come from a recent study by Admitad and the Stllr Network.
Much of this momentum is coming from video-based platforms, where brands are leaning on creators who feel more relatable than polished ad campaigns. The trend shows a clear preference for authenticity, as audiences gravitate toward content that feels real and personal.
Mohannad Alzahrani, Co-founder and VP KSA of Stllr Network, highlighted the shift: “The rise of user-generated content (UGC) is changing the way brands engage with consumers. Audiences trust real creators more than traditional advertising, making UGC a key driver of authenticity and sales”.
TikTok remains the dominant platform in this space, reportedly reaching 88% of the Saudi population. It also showed the sharpest rise in influencer-led transactions. Other platforms followed with solid, if less dramatic, growth: X was up 17%, Instagram increased by 12%, and Telegram by 10%.
In terms of content niches, beauty led the pack with a 56% growth rate, followed by lifestyle at 45.8% and fashion at 18.2%. Tech content also showed healthy traction at 10.6%, while entertainment, food, fitness, parenting, and gaming posted smaller — but still positive — gains.
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The report analyzed more than 300,000 influencer-driven purchases. These efforts translated into a 15% year-on-year jump in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and a 5% increase in the number of orders in 2024. Influencers themselves are seeing the benefit, with average order values hitting $54 and creator earnings rising by 14%.
A noticeable trend is the move away from fixed-rate deals. More influencers in Saudi Arabia are embracing hybrid compensation models — especially cost-per-action (CPA) setups that tie their earnings directly to performance.
As Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad, explains, “The CPA model brings much-needed transparency to influencer marketing. Brands only pay for actual results, and influencers benefit by securing long-term partnerships while offering their audiences exclusive promo codes and special discounts”.
However, the ecosystem still shows a gender imbalance. The data indicates that 63% of creators in Saudi Arabia are men, while women account for just 37%.
Influencer Growth Fuels Saudi Creator Economy Surge
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