Vol1 Sep 09
Dubai Metro: Beginning of new era of surface transport
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will officially launch the Red Line of much-awaited Dubai Metro on September 9, 2009. It is the flagship project of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Dubai Metro project will be a benchmark for its state-of-the-art engineering, aesthetic design and for its direct role in providing social benefits. Being the first railway system in the UAE, the project has been a constant source of excitement and inquisitiveness for all. It is the single largest automatic driverless system in the world. The Dubai Metro will be one of the most advanced urban rail systems in the world and will be the catalyst for tourism, financial and economic growth. 
The Red Line of the Dubai Metro will have 28 stations including 24 elevated and 4 underground. During the launch, only 10 stations will be operational. The stations to be opened include Al Rashidiya, Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, Deira City Centre, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid Bin Al Waleed (BurJuman), Al Jafiliya, Financial Centre, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Harbour and Tower. The remaining stations would open in batches in the coming few months and all the stations on the Red Line will be operational by February 2010.The success of Dubai Metro depends largely on easy availability and proximity of feeder transport systems. RTA has plans to integrate 41 bus routes linking directly to Metro’s Red Line stations served by a fleet of 778 new buses. 17 new bus routes to serve Dubai Metro has already begun on September 1, 2009. RTA has also finalized plans to integrate water transport with the Dubai Metro and public buses. At least four metro stations on both sides of the Dubai Creek would be linked with water transport through air-conditioned walkways.
All main metro stations will have adjacent bus stations as part of the integrated transport system that will include buses, taxis as well as water transport links at stations near the creek. The RTA is planning to introduce an integrated card system, the Smart Card that will enable passengers to travel on trains, buses and water transport, as well as use the parking areas.
The construction cost of Dubai Metro has exceed its initial budget of AED 15.5 billion, i.e., almost 80 per cent to AED 28 billion. the increase in expenditure is attributed to the major changes in the scope and design of the project. According to the RTA officials, Dubai Metro is expected to generate AED 18 billion in income over the next 10 years. Nevertheless, it would not be a profit-making enterprise since the fares would be subsidized. The RTA officials have also announced that the Green Line would be delayed by 3 months, as it will open in June 2010 instead of the earlier announced date of March 2010.
The arrival of the Metro will undeniably ease the traffic situation on the roads of Dubai and offer travelers a convenient yet economical mode of travel. Dubai Metro will also have ripple effect on the prices of the properties close to Metro Stations. Although property prices in Dubai have fallen tremendously and have touched almost 2007 level, yet property experts believe that units close to Metro would recover first. Properties located within easy access of the Dubai Metro will see prices rise by up to 10 per cent once the Metro service begins. In addition, for the rental market, the metro would have the biggest effect on property prices. This is, indeed, a positive sign for Dubai’s real estate market, which has had a difficult year with the prices of flats and villas plummeting by 34 per cent.
| Date of Inauguration: 09.09.09 Estimated Cost: AED 28 billion Length of Red Line: 52.1 km including 4.7 km underground from Al Rashidiya to Jebel Ali Duration of Round Trip: 2.33 hours Duration of One-way Trip: 1.12 hours No. of Stations: 28 including 24 elevated, 1 on ground & 4 underground Name of Stations: Rashidiya Station, Emirates Station, Airport Terminal 3 Station, Airport Terminal 2 Station, Al Garhoud Station, City Centre Station, Al Rigga Station, Union Square Station, BurJuman Station, Al Karama Station, Al Jaffiliya Station, Trade Centre Station, Emirates Towers Station, Financial Center Station, Burj Dubai Station, Business Bay Station, Al Quoz Station, Burj Al Arab Station, Mall of the Emirates Station, Al Barsha Station, Tecom Station, Nakheel Station, Dubai Marina Station, Jumeirah Lake Towers Station, Jumeirah Islands Station, Ibn Battuta Station, Dubal Station, Jebel Ali Industrial Station, Jafza/Limitless Station Name of the Operational Stations: Al Rashidiya, Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, Deira City Centre, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid Bin Al Waleed (BurJuman), Al Jafiliya, Financial Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Nakheel Harbour and Tower Average Distance between Stations: 1.5 km Theme of Dubai Metro Station: Based on 4 elements - air, earth, fire & water Train Classes: three classes – The Golden Class (VIP), the Women and Children's Class & the Silver Class (economy) Fare Structure:
*Children under 5 years of age travel free Prepaid Card: Dubai Metro has introduced Unified Electronic Fare Card (UAFC) known as Nol Card Types of Nol Cards: Nol Silver, Nol Blue, Nol Gold Card, and Nol Red Ticket Parking:
Train’s Run Time:
No. of Trains: 100 Seating capacity: 400 passengers per train Estimated Passenger Carrying Capacity: 32,000 passengers per hour Types of Coaches: Golden Class (VIP), Women & Children's Class and Silver Class (Economy) Main Depot: Rashidiya Auxiliary Depot: Jebel Ali Port |
