Dubai Metro
A rapidly expanding population, plus increasing numbers of tourists (the target is 15 million annually by 2010) has placed great strain on Dubai’s transport infrastructure. Congestion is frankly horrendous. The Dubai Metro system, currently under construction, aims to ease this congestion and reduce passenger travelling time.
4 Lines are being constructed:
| Line | Length (km) | Completion | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | 52.0 | 2009 | Rashidiya to Jabel Ali |
| Green Line | 22.5 | 2010 | Al Qusais to Al Jedaff |
| Blue Line | 47.0 | 2011 | Dubai International Airport to Jebel Ali Airport, along Emirates Road |
| Purple Line | 49.0 | 2012 | Dubai International Airport to Jebel Ali Airport, along Al Khail Road |
Trains will be driverless and include first class and women and children only sections. Extensive window panels will offer great views of the city.
Stations will offer taxi depots and park-and-ride facilities.
Reader Comments / Additional Information
Travelling will be much easier & it will attract more investors & visitors.
It's really a huge project. Believe me I'm facing lots of problems every day trying to reach my work in Jebel Ali. I'm really waiting for this project to finish soon and I would like to extend my regards to all who are working on it.
04/08 - The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) had announced naming rights for the Dubai Metro. Companies will shortly be able to bid to have their names attached to 23 stations and the Red and Green Lines, due to open in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Companies wishing to be considered must have a presence in the United Arab Emirates and the company and its products must respect the culture and values of the region.
The construction of the metro will reduce the traffic congestion in Dubai (at least I hope it does).
It will be a breakthrough and more than half of the traffic congestion will be diverted.
I love to use metros (as a Berliner), even if they are not underground but on their own highways. But why will the system not being extended to the palms, Dubai mall etc., where a monorail system is planned? Two different technologies may be the cause of trouble and some passengers` inconvenience. Despite this, the system is wonderful and sizes down the tremendous city road traffic, which is the only minus point for Dubai sightseers.
A 10 km test track for the Red Line is being built between Ibn Battuta and Jebel Ali. The first trains will arrive in Dubai in February 2008.
Construction work on the Purple Line linking Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali Airport will start March 2009. Journey time between the airports will be around 40 minutes.
The Red and Green Lines will have 47 stations, 10 underground and the rest elevated. Designs will be themed around the 4 elements of nature; fire, water, air and earth.
The first train will be built by October. All trains will include 5 passenger cars and will have a capacity of 643 passengers.
Metro stations will have wireless internet access, CCTV cameras and shops.
The trains will travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. It will take 1 hour and 11 minutes to travel the length of the Red Line, and 26 minutes for the Green Line. The time between trains will be approximately 90 seconds.
Over 7,000 people are currently working on the Metro. It is expected to open for trials in August 2009 and be fully operational the next month.
Construction of the Metro system is well underway and is reported to be on schedule. The supporting pillars on Sheikh Zayed Road are up and there is much other visible evidence of progress around. It will hopefully go a long way to solving congestion, one of Dubai's main problems.