Background of Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro is known as a train without driver, it is a transport that is completely automated in Dubai. The Dubai Metro was began planned under the instruction of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who envisioned once the project is completed in 2010, it is going to draw in 15 million visitors to come to Dubai. The rapidly growing Dubai population which is anticipated to hit 3 million by 2017 may cause intense traffic congestion in the region. Therefore, it is an urge for Dubai to plan and construct an urban rail system to cater ever growing transportation, alleviate traffic jam, and also supply commercial infrastructure for further improvement.
In May 29, 2005, Qasim Sultan, the General Director of Dubai Municipality, Qasim Sultan, and Board Member of Mitsubish Heavy Industries, Susumu Uchida, come to an agreement and signing the contract of Dubai Metro. The first phase of the project is then awarded by Dubai Municipality to Dubai Rapid Link Consortium. The building work is commenced in the same year at Al Ittihad Park in Deira and the foundation for the project of Dubai Metro was commenced on 2006. After all groundwork being completed, in 2008, the first two trains were shipped from Japan and arrived in Dubai. The Dubai Metro was officially launched on 9 September 2009 with 11 stations operational on the Red Line.
Amazing Dubai Metro Commercial
Dubai “Metro” from Shilo on Vimeo.
Red Line and Green Line
The major lines of Dubai Metro is covered of 2 lines: The Red Line and Green Line. The Red Line is now on its full operation, while the Green Line is still being built with test runs initiated in October 2010. In the mean time, there are another 3 further lines being planned and will come into construction in future. These two lines run underground within the city center as well as on heightened viaducts railway. All stations and trains are equipped with air condition and platform edge doors to enable the implementation of whole construction.
The Red Line is commuting between Al Rashidiya and Jebel Ali. It was officially opened on 9th September 2009 and the total length of 52.1km. While Green Line is commuting between Al Qusais and Al Jaddaf. It is expected to open on August 2011 with a length of 17.6km. Upon completion of these 2 lines, Dubai Metro will have 70 kilometers of lines, and 47 stations which comprised of 9 underground stations.
While latest news released that the Dubai Metro Green Line will launch on 9 September 2011 for official operation. The line will covers 23km (which is longer than previously estimated length of 17.6km) and having 18 stations with another 2 transfer stations. The grand opening of the Green Line indicates another mega project that been accomplished by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) that are undertaken across the region.
RTA Statistic of Dubai Metro Passengers
Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, told the media in which Dubai sizable transit modes are including Dubai Metro, water transport, taxicabs and public buses. In the first half of 2011, these mass transit modes have transporting 180,544,372 passengers.
The statistic revealed that the amount of public bus commuters in the first half of 2011 reach 54,077,652 passengers. And the Dubai city bus transport service accumulated 42,329,663 passengers. Accompanied by metro stations feeder bus service that commuting 6,109,602 passengers and lastly the inter-city bus service that accounted for 5,638,387 passengers.
Many of the people in Dubai are very appreciate for the Dubai Metro operation. You may try it out yourself for the Red Line or Green Line of Dubai Metro and travel to the city center. You may aware that the train can be well crowded for Red Line but for Green Line there will be not many people in the train. This is because most people are knowing about the operating hour of Red Line but many people still not aware that Green Line is actually up and operating already. Therefore, the Green Line may still need some time to create more awareness from the mass so that the train can come to full functionality. The train is runs pretty fast you will expect to get a very pleasurable city views along your journey.
One think you need to remember is that you have to ensure that you get a RTA card where you can buy at the counters in all Dubai Metro stations. You may just pay for AED 6 for a silver card which you are able to use that card on any transport services provided by the RTA.
Many people are truly grateful in which Dubai is constructing on a useful and structural transport system that is currently getting used by all people who are living there. With the implementation of Dubai Metro, it not only fixed a lot of traffic issue as forecast but it has also presented Dubai with a brand new inclusion. By adding all these up, it is actually an excellent development toward the “green” direction and this is definitely benefit the environment.
Operating Hour of Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro will operating from 6am to 11pm, from Saturday to Thursday; while Fridays it will run from 2pm to midnight. During rush hour, the fastest waiting times is 3 minutes and 45 seconds while the longest time interval for the train to arrive is 7 minutes.
If you want to know more about the operating hour, you may check on the time table.
You may click here to download the Dubai Metro Pocket Map (PDF)
