The new stations are GGICO in Garhoud, Trade Centre, and the Noor Islamic Bank in Al Quoz.

The new stations will bring the total number of operational stations on the Red Line to 21.

The new stations opening are: Emirates HQ, Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, GGICO (Al Garhoud), Al Karama, Trade Centre, Dubai Marina, and the Ibn Battuta Mall.

The remaining 11 stations will open in October.

It will be the 11th station to open on the Red Line and will be able to deal with 11 thousand passengers per hour in each direction.

The station will primarily serve the Downtown Burj Dubai area, home of the Dubai Mall, Burj Dubai, and numerous hotels (Address Downtown Burj Dubai, Address Dubai Mall, Palace, Al Manzil, Qamardeen, Armani etc.).

Nol Blue Cards are designed for frequent travellers who need to load their cards with large balances and require security of funds in case their cards are lost, stolen, or damaged.

The personalised smart cards have an e-purse that can be loaded with up to AED 500. They are valid for use on all modes of public transport and can be recharged at RTA Customer Service Centres, approved sales agents, bus stations, and Dubai Metro stations.

Applicants require a personal photo and proof of identity (passport or ID card). For online applications copies need to be uploaded.

Nol Blue Cards should be received within 10 – 15 days.

Other categories of Nol Cards are:

• Nol Red Ticket – paper ticket with no e-purse, valid for up to 10 trips
• Nol Silver Card – don’t identify the holder, contain a rechargeable e-purse
• Nol Gold Card – same as Nol Silver Card, but allow use of Dubai Metro Gold Glass cabins

A comparison of the various types of cards and fares can be found here.

Completion of electromechanical works in the stations ranges from 80 to 97 percent, and the stations should open in February 2010.

The Dubai Metro began operations on September 9 2009 with 10 stations on the Red Line.

The Green Line is scheduled to commence operations in late 2010.

Broadband wireless internet access will be available on both trains and in stations. The service can be paid for by credit card or with a WoW recharge card, available at Du Shops and other authorised outlets.

Du has also enhanced its 2G and 3G mobile coverage at all Dubai Metro stations and along the length of the Red Line to ensure seamless connectivity on journeys.

The Green Line was originally scheduled to open in March 2010. It will run from Al Qusais to Al Jaddaf, through Deira and Bur Dubai, connecting to the Red Line at Union Square and Khalid Bin Waleed stations.

Cash machines have been installed at 9 stations; Rashidiya, Deira City Centre, Al Rigga, Mall of the Emirates, Financial Centre, Jafiliya, Nakheel Harbour and Tower, Union Square, and Khalid Bid Waleed.

However services on the opening day will be restricted to VIPs invited by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The system will open to the public the following day.

Stations opening on the first day are Rashidiya, Dubai International Airport (Terminal 3), Deira City Centre, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid bin Waleed, Al Jafiliya, Dubai International Financial Centre, Mall of the Emirates, and Nakheel Harbour & Tower.

The remaining stations will open over the coming months.

Throughout Ramadan the Dubai Metro service will operate from Saturday to Thursday 6 am until midnight. On Friday services will run from 2 pm to midnight.

After Ramadan the Metro service will run from Saturday to Thursday, 6.am to 11 pm, and on Fridays 2 pm to midnight.

Charging will begin on September 10 and will only apply to cars parking for more than 3 hours (4 hours at weekends). Those watching movies at the CineStar cinemas will receive free parking for an additional hour.

The move is designed to prevent drivers parking their vehicles for free at the malls and catching the Metro to another destination.

The malls’ owners, the Majid Al Futtaim Group, say the change will not affect the vast majority of shoppers.