Dubai Metro

The origin:

• The Dubai government commissioned studies to evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective solutions to combat traffic congestion, which resulted in the birth of the Dubai Metro. The seeds for the project were sown back in 1992, when a feasibility study known as R400 was completed and concluded that Dubai could no longer rely only on Roads Transport System to cater for its escalating traffic demands. The findings also recommended a need for a transit system to help ease congestion.
• Regarded as the flagship project of the Roads and Transport Authority, this 15.5 billion AED project will be a benchmark for its state-of-the-art engineering, being an architectural marvel and for its direct role in providing social benefits - particularly generation of employment and facilitate easy access to the city for locals and tourists alike.
• Another advantage of Dubai Metro is that it is being designed in a manner to complement the other modes of transport, e.g. Buses, Taxis and Marine transport.

The Routes:

• At present contracts have been awarded for two lines; currently titled 'Red' and 'Green'. Construction has already started on phase one - the Red Line project which, at 52 kilometres in length, is longer of the two lines. Red and Green Line are expected to be completed by 2010.
• It will snake its way from Rashidiya, through central Dubai and along Sheikh ZayedJebel Ali on the outskirts of the city. highway - passing numerous landmarks - until it reaches
• Some of the Red Line's 29 stations will service as key destinations including Internet City, Burj Dubai, Dubai International Financial City, Emirates Towers, the World Trade Centre and Al Ittihad Square.
• The Green Line is shorter (22 kilometres) with a more localised route that focuses on two of Dubai's most densely populated areas - Deira and Bur Dubai. It is planned that the Green Line will run from Al Ittihad Square through Deira and Bur Dubai to Burjuman, through Health Care City to Jadaff in the South, and from Al Ittihad Square through the intersection of Al Nahda and Damascus Road to Al Qiyadah intersection toward Al-Qusais Area.
• The Roads and Transport Agency (RTA) are working at full speed on meeting the demands of a rapidly growing population (and their dependence on cars), and have publicly stated that these two projects are starting point for a wider reaching network that will eventually encompass the entire city. There have been some cautiously worded statements released that allude to a further two lines - 'Blue' and 'Purple' - that will follow the routes of Emirates Road and Al Khail Road.

The Features:

• Dubai Metro aims to incorporate strategic bus/boat feeder points with flexible and user-friendly metro interchange stations. An integrated public transport policy will be adopted wherein a unified ticketing system will be used to facilitate switching over from one mode of transport to another.
• Providing an alternative mode of transport, Dubai Metro aims to ease traffic congestion and reduce travelling time, which in effect will reduce air pollution caused by cars and improve air quality, thereby contributing to the protection of the environment. It will not only help enhance mobility within the city, but it will also help reduce dependency on car use.
• Dubai Metro will serve as a key connector to all the strategic locations in Dubai including the Dubai International Airport. Provisions for 'Park and Ride' facilities near the stations and at designated locations along the railway route will further promote the use of Dubai Metro.
• Dubai Metro is elegantly designed and will further complement the architecture of Dubai. In terms of safety, Dubai Metro is benchmarking against best international Railway industry practice.
• Being the first railway system in the entire United Arab Emirates, the project has been a constant source of excitement and has been generating ample support.