Dubai Metro has Finally Arrived

One of the main challenges for RTA’s metro is to persuade motorists (who are used to subsidised fuel and the privacy of air conditioned comfort), to swap from the comfort of their cars to a transit system. With daytime summer temperatures regularly exceeding 40C, this is not so easy to implement.

The RED line was the first to be opened, with only 10 of the 29 stations opened on the launch. The line runs from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, with a large section running parallel with the busy eight-lane Sheikh Zayed Highway. Important stations on the red line include Airport Terminals 1 and 3; Deira City Centre – for shopping, Emirates Towers and Financial Centre; Burj Dubai – the world’s tallest building and Dubai Mall – boasting the world’s largest shopping centre; Mall of the Emirates – for more shopping or skiing and Dubai Marina – home to many of Dubai’s expats, and just a few minutes from Palm Jumeirah – reported to be the 8th wonder of the world!

The RTA has built futuristic looking stations and introduced reasonably low travel tariffs. There are also women-only carriages, plus ‘luxury leather seating’ for VIP’s who would like to pay extra for them.  The trains can reach speeds of 110kma and the network has been installed with more than 3,000 CCTV cameras to monitor trains and stations.

RTA has reported that more than one hundred thousand passengers used the metro during the first two days of opening, which equates to approximately 10% of the Dubai population. RTA has predicted 200 million passenger journeys on the metro each year.

Many residents believe the metro is a positive social and environmental addition in a city which wants to be recognised for modern thinking.

There are many categories for offences which carry fines, here are some reported examples:

• No sleeping in stations
• No putting your feet on chairs
• Carrying alcohol is a criminal offence
• No smoking in trains or stations
• No opening doors while the train is moving
• No littering or spitting

To travel on the Dubai Metro, passengers must purchase a NOL card available from RTA, petrol stations and shopping supermarkets across Dubai. 

About the Author

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Stuart Johnston is a UK based travel writer,specialising in reviewing Dubai holiday rentals and other destinations worldwide. Managing the busy Holiday Rental Centre website, he incorporates the ‘Holiday Advice’ section at www.holidayrentalcentre.co.uk which forms an increasing collection of articles, top-tips and travel resources.

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