From 2009 to 2016, Dubai Metro was the world's longest driverless metro network with a route length of 75 kilometres (47 mi), as recognized by Guinness World Records in 2012.[6] The system was surpassed by the VancouverSkyTrain in 2016 for the longest fully automated system in the world but regained the title in 2021 with the opening of Route 2020 until December 2024 when it was surpassed by the opening of Riyadh Metro.[7][8]
In 1997, Dubai Municipality studies on urban development identified the need for a rail system to relieve growing traffic levels and to support the urban development in Dubai.[9] Planning of the Dubai Metro began under the directive of Dubai's Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2003. Dubai expected to attract 15 million visitors by 2010.[10] The combination of a rapidly growing population, which was expected to reach 3 million by 2017, and severe traffic congestion necessitated the building of an urban rail system to provide additional public transportation capacity, relieve motor traffic, and provide infrastructure for additional development.[11] In 2004, five consortium were shortlisted to build the first section.[12][13]
Work officially commenced on the construction of the metro on 21 March 2006.[16] In February 2009, an RTA Rail Agency official stated the US$4.2 billion Dubai Metro project would be completed on schedule despite the global financial crisis.[17] 10 out of 29 metro stations of the Red Line opened on 9 September 2009.[18]
The Red Line was partially opened at 9 minutes and 9 seconds past 9 pm on 9 September 2009 (9/9/9 9:09:09 PM), inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[19] More than 110,000 people, nearly 10 percent of Dubai's population at the time, used the Metro in its first two days of operation.[20] The Line opened to the public at 6 am (UTC 04:00) on 10 September 2009.[21] The Dubai Metro carried 10 million passengers from launch on 9 September 2009 to 9 February 2010 with 11 stations operational on the Red Line.[22]
A 15 km extension of the Red Line known as Route 2020 which connects to Expo 2020 was announced in September 2016 and was completed and inaugurated on 8 July 2020.[27] Engineering consultancy Atkins provided multidisciplinary design and management of the civil works on Route 2020.[28][29]
A 30 km third line with 14 stations, called the Blue Line, was announced on 24 November 2023 with a total investment of AED 18 billion, with an expected operational date by 2029.[30] The Blue Line will extend from the terminus of the Red Line on Centrepoint Station and the Green Line terminus at the Creek Station.[31]
Red Line trains run every 5 to 7 minutes off-peak (averaging 8.5 trains per hour), with a minimum headway of 3 minutes 45 seconds (16 trains per hour) during peak hours, with 44 trainsets in service. Trains from the Red Line and Green Line can depart differently due to technical glitches. From 2010, when 51 trains were in service, the line had a peak-hour capacity of 11,675 passengers per hour in each direction. As of September 2014[update], the Red Line operates 60 trains (train registrations 5001–5045, 5065–5079). The theoretical maximum design capacity is 25,720 passengers per hour, which would require 106 trains.[35]
The Green Line had an initial capacity of 6,395 passengers per hour per direction, with 19 trains (train registrations 5046–5064) in service as of September 2014. The design capacity of this route is put at 13,380 passengers per hour with 60 trains in service.[36]
Signalling
To permit fully automated operation, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions supplies SelTrac IS communications-based train control and NetTrac central control technology. This is configured for a minimum headway of 500 seconds (40 trains per hour). The top speed of the trains is estimated to be around 95 km/h (59 mph), giving a round-trip time of 2 hours 23 minutes for the Red Line and 1 hour 23 minutes for the Green Line.[37]
Ridership
Over 280,000 passengers used the Dubai Metro during the first week of its operation in September 2009.[38] After the first month of operation on a limited network, the monthly total passengers was 1,740,578 passengers, which equates to under 60,000 passengers/day.[39]
After the opening of more stations in May 2010, ridership surged to 103,002 passengers/day and reached 130,000/day by the beginning of October 2010. When the Green Line opened on 9 September 2011, passengers on the Red Line was noted as 180,000/day. In 2013, passengers rose to 377,000/day, split 64% for the Red Line and 36% for the Green Line.[40] During the first half of 2015, RTA announced that 88,252,034 passengers have used the metro.[41] In August 2017, RTA announced that total ridership since 2009 had surpassed 1 billion total trips.[42]
The Green Line stays within the old Dubai area. It passes through historical sites, such as the Dubai Museum, the Gold Souk, and the Spice Souk. Stations near those places are built in keeping with the historical architecture of Dubai that mirrors the architecture of the surrounding area. The stations also have with photos depicting the UAE in the 1960s or earlier being on display within the station.[52]
In 2011, the RTA stated that there are no "immediate plans" to build the Blue and Purple lines "in the next five or six years". This is mainly because the planned area is empty and developing.[53]
In 2013, the RTA laid out a three-phase plan to expand the existing lines and build new ones: extending the Green Line by 12 stations and 24 kilometres (15 mi) to Academic City by 2020; expanding the overall system by 58 stations and 91 kilometres (57 mi) by 2025 and completing expansion with a total of 69 stations and 221 km over and above the present 47 stations and 70 kilometres (43 mi) that are present as of January 2013.
Purple Line: along Al Khail Road (E44). The line will extend from the Al Maktoum International Airport to Muhaisnah, a locality near the border between Dubai and Sharjah.[54] There will be about eight stations, three with check-in facilities. However, The Dubai Airports Authority claimed that this was unfeasible as it did not pass through many localities. They however suggested opting for a "central terminal" similar to those in Europe where trains leave from inside the airport to the other airport with trains also leaving to the city. The RTA have taken this into consideration.[citation needed]
Pink Line: The Pink Line is planned to run east–west with a terminus at Al Sufouh and is scheduled for completion by 2030.[55]
Gold Line: Announced as the 'Yellow Line' in April 2008 and confirmed in January 2013 as the 'Gold Line'.[56] One of the stations planned for the Gold Line is the Dubailand Station, west of Meydan.[57] The Gold Line will connect Arabian Ranches, Deira, and Dubai Marina and is scheduled to open by 2025.[55]
Red Line Extension: 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi) and six new stations, terminating at the border with Abu Dhabi. No dates for completion announced.[58]
In 2014, the RTA approved the recent proposal of extending the Red Line from Al Rashidiya station to Mirdif City Center which will increase 3.5 kilometers with the new station. However, there is also a proposal to extend it further to Al Warqa'a which is currently being studied.[59]
As of 2024, none of these extensions or proposed lines have been started or discussed and are currently indefinitely suspended until further notice.
On the Green Line, the RTA finalized the extension plan of 20.6 kilometers from Al Jaddaf to Academic City in 2014. The extension is due to go through Festival City, Lagoons, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Academic City.[60] This was later approved as the new Blue Line, which construction started in 2024 and is scheduled to open on 9 September 2029, to coincide with the 20 year anniversary of Dubai Metro.
In 2018, the engineering firm Aurecon produced a study into a 7.5 km express metro line from Al Qiyadah station on the Green Line till Sharjah.[61] The line would cost AED 3 billion, and could reduce traffic congestion between the two cities by up to 30%.
Architecture firm Aedas designed the metro's 45 stations, two depots, and the operational control centres.[62] The Al Ghurair Investment group were the metro's builders.[63]
Dubai Metro is composed of at-grade (G) elevated Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 (T1, T2 and T3, respectively) underground stations (U) and underground transfer station types (UT).[citation needed] Type 1 is the regular at-grade concourse station, Type 2 is a regular elevated concourse station, and Type 3 is an elevated special track station with an extra track to hold a non-operational train. Underground transfer stations accommodate both the Red and Green lines for easy transfers.[citation needed][35]
Besides these differences, there are five themes used in the interiors of the stations:[64] The red line individually has 29 stations including the Interchange Stations between Green Line. The green line has 20 stations including the Interchange Stations between Red Line. Route 2020 (Connected with the Red Line from Jebel Ali) individually has 7 stations in total (including Jebel Ali; 6 without it).
Inside the stations will have air conditions from 24 to 21 Celsius.
Heritage: Symbolizes the culture and history of the United Arab Emirates.
Earth: Marks the start of the Dubai modern and urban drive, which resembles the force and durability of earth and soil.
Air: Symbolizes the elation and joy that Dubai provides to residents and visitors.
Fire: Symbolizes the energy, vigour and strong will displayed by Dubai leaders.
Water: Symbolizes the human values which Dubai seeks to ensure in its modern achievements.
The Earth stations have a tan-brown colour effects; water has blue-white colour effects; fire has orange-red colour effects; and the air has green colour effects.[65][66]
Each station has a bus route with drop-off zones to the metro station as well as taxi lay by's.[56]
Parking
The Dubai Metro has built three large multi-level car parking with an estimated capacity to accommodate more than 8,000 vehicles for the passengers where they can park their car and ride the metro.
Stations
Line
Spaces
Centrepoint (Rashidiya) Metro Station
Red Line
2700 cars
Jabal Ali Metro Station
Red Line, Branch
3000 cars
Etisalat by e& Metro Station
Green Line
2300 cars
Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station
Red Line
400 cars
The parking is free for the metro users.
Handicap facilities
All metro stations have elevators and contrasting tactile guidance path to guide the visually impaired. There are also dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on all the trains. Handicapped passengers, also known as 'people of determination' in the UAE, can ride with any RTA service for free with a special, personalized Nol Card.
Safety
Emergency stop buttons, intercoms and platform screen doors with corresponding flashing light signals are installed at every station for the safety of the passengers. Trains are equipped with emergency stop buttons, door release levers, intercoms and fire extinguishers. CCTV is operational throughout the entire network and in trains and police officers are regularly on patrol in the stations, especially during rush hours.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi connectivity is available across all trains and stations and is provided by du which is in par with the Wi-Fi UAE program which provides Wi-Fi connectivity across major parts of UAE. Mobile phone coverage is available across the entire network of the metro. The metro itself has Wi-Fi connectivity inside for the commuters to access with two tiers of Internet access with the normal service being free whereas the premium service can be accessed by a nominal fee.[68]
Travelling
Dubai Metro Gold Class.Interior of a train
The Dubai Transport is divided into 4 tiers (5 zones). The prices were slightly increased as of 11 November 2014.[citation needed][69] The cheapest ticket (not preloaded, and not in the "gold" class) with a distance not more than 3 km cost 3 AED (about $0.82) – the equivalent of Tier 0, and most costly single trip (Tier 3, exceed 2 zones, and paper not preloaded ticket also[clarification needed]) 7.5 AED (about $2.04) and was not increased from opening. Tier 1 is one zone trip, where the travel exceeds 3 km, Tier 2 is neighbouring 2 zones travel. Also (excluding Gold class) using cards there is "no more paying" – a free rest of day travel if the cost exceeds 14 AED (about $3.81).[70][71]
Ticketing
The Dubai Metro has a fixed fare based on three tiers and travelling under 3 km costs 3 AED.[72] The tiers are:
Tiers
Tier 1 |3 AED| Within 1 zone start and end in same zone
Tier 2 |5 AED| Starts in 1 zone and ends in neighboring zone
Tier 3 |10 AED| Crosses 3 or more zones
The Nol Card are used by the passengers to check-in and check-out at the gates in their destination station. No other payment form (cash, credit card) can be used. The fare will be automatically deducted based on the number of zones traveled. Passengers will be allowed to check-in when their card has more than minimum credit required.
Children below the age of 5 years or less than 90 cm and people with disabilities (personalized Nol Card required) will be eligible to travel the metro for free.
There is also a Nol Card available for students & seniors, and they can get a student & senior citizens' discount (usually half of the fare).
Rolling stock
Train #5001 is the first train to be operated on Dubai Metro.Dubai Metro in Dubai Marina.
Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo built a total of 79 five-car trains (60 on the Red Line, nineteen on the Green Line) for the system.[73] Their fleet numbers are 5001 – 5079, and each train's cars are assigned a 3 digit number and a letter from A to E (The first car is assigned A; second is B; third is C; fourth is D; fifth is E: For example, train set 5001 consists of cars 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D and 101E). The trains are designed to carry 643 seated and standing passengers, and unusually for a mass transit system, the trains have three classes of accommodation: Gold Class (first class), the Women and Children only class, and the regular Silver Class (economy).[74] The first train (Set 5001) was delivered to Dubai in March 2008.[73] The trains are driverless, use third rail current collection. Trained wardens accompany passengers to help with emergencies.[75] Four newer trains (Sets 5074, 5075, 5076, and 5077) are each painted with a different special livery, in which one of them (set 5077) representing the skyline of Dubai.[76] Set 5041 was painted with a special Museum of the Future livery. However, these liveries (except set 5041 which still exists as of today) are currently removed.
50 new trains, the Alstom Metropolis, were introduced in November 2018.[77] These trains have higher capacity, 696 passengers, up from 643 passenger on the current trains.[78] This will increase passenger capacity by about 10%. The new trains have a refreshed interior with better air conditioning, digital maps, improved speed, brakes and doors.[77] Out of these 50 trains, all 50 are running on the Red and Green Lines (mostly the Green Line). The fleet numbers of the new Alstom trains are 5101 – 5150, and similar to the original Kinki Sharyo trains, each train's cars also are assigned a 3 digit number and a letter from A to E (for example, set 5122 consists of cars 222A, 222B, 222C, 222D and 222E).
Culture
Music Festival
Brand Dubai collaborated with Roads & Transport Authority in March 2019 to launch the "Dubai Metro Music Festival", there was no festival in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19. It is held from 14 to 20 Sha'aban every year. Held across red line stations.
On 1 November 2018, as part of the RTA's Public Transport Day, the longest diverse human chain of hand was formed in a Dubai metro train at Etisalat station.[79] The record was acknowledged by Guinness World Records. The chain was formed by people from 96 countries around the whole world. Previously this record was with Norway, where 75 nations made a diverse human chain.[79]
Dubai Metro Museum
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gave his directions to transform Dubai Metro stations into art museums under the supervision of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The project was announced in early April 2014 and aims to display contemporary and modern art.[80]
Incidents and accidents
10 September 2009 (2009-09-10): one metro train broke down and passengers were stranded for two hours before being picked up by a second train.[81]
28 February 2010 (2010-02-28): Thousands of commuters were affected after part of Dubai Metro's Red Line was closed after a small fire on the track. A section of the Red Line between Al Jafiliya Station near Za'abeel Park and Terminal 3 Station was shut at around 7 pm and remained closed until Monday morning. Trains were evacuated at Burjuman (formerly Khalid Bin Al Waleed), Union Station and Al Rigga Station. A Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) spokesman confirmed there was smoke on the underground track between Union and Burjuman Station. However, RTA officials remained tight-lipped about what had caused the incident.[82]
25 December 2011 (2011-12-25): Passengers reported that some trains stalling and others moving 'at snail's pace' due to technical problems. The RTA confirmed that both the Red and Green lines of the metro were running slow, in both directions, due to "some technical issues".[83]
3 December 2012 (2012-12-03): The Dubai Metro saw its first death when a man committed suicide by lying down on the metro tracks and was run over by the automated train.[84]
12 August 2014 (2014-08-12): Commuters on a segment of the Dubai Metro's Red Line were stranded after a train (registered 5075) stopped between Al Karama and Al Jafiliya stations during peak hours following a technical snag at around 7 pm. According to a Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official, the train on the Red Line experienced an electrical failure, causing the metro to stall operations between the Union and Business Bay metro stations leaving 2000 passengers stranded. The Green Line operated as usual. The passengers stranded in the train broke the emergency door using the hammer and opened the door as there was no air conditioning available and walked to Al Karama Metro Station by walking on the viaduct. Two hours later, the Metro services were fully restored.[85]
29 October 2014 (2014-10-29): Commuters on the Dubai Metro were stranded at stations due to trains between Business Bay station and Nakheel station stopped operating in both directions due to a technical glitch. The systems were fully restored one hour later.[86]
3 April 2016: Passengers were left stranded during evening rush hour after a technical snag delayed train services on the Red Line. Systems were restored in 30 minutes.[87]
24 August 2017: A man commits suicide in Noor Bank Metro Station. The station was shut down for one hour following the incident.[88]
6 November 2017: Passengers commuting on the Red Line were left stranded after a technical glitch caused train services to temporarily stall specifically near Jumeirah Lakes Towers (now DMCC) and UAE Exchange stations. Services returned to normal at 12:32 PM.[89]
16 April 2024: Excessive flooding caused by heavy rain forced the closure of Onpassive, Equiti, Mashreq, and Energy stations for several weeks.[90]
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