How many of these amazing Dubai Metro facts are you aware of?
The Dubai Metro is one of the most advanced, modern public transport networks in Dubai that facilitates the needs of the city’s busy professionals. As one of the first integrated public transport facilities in the wider GCC region, there are many exciting Dubai Metro facts that you should know about. Find out all about how the Dubai Metro rail started from a single line servicing select stations to the city-wide artery that connects Dubai’s residents.
Development phases
Here is a timeline of some of the interesting facts about the Dubai Metro’s development:
Initial Phase: Dubai Metro in 2009
- In 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the Red Line, with just 10 stations
- According to the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), more than 110,000 passengers rode the Metro on the first two days of operation
- The Rashidiya Metro Station, which was the commencing point of the red line, had the capacity to accommodate 2700 vehicles
- After the launch of the Metro, the RTA launched 17 bus routes to help commuters to get around the city faster
Evolutionary Phase: From 2010 to now
- Just a year later in 2010, 16 more stations were opened
- The passengers using the Dubai Metro increased to over 100 million passengers
- In 2011, H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the new Green Line, which would service 18 stations, including bustling Old Dubai communities such as Al Qusais and Deira
- In 2012, two Dubai Metro stations were renamed: Jebel Ali Industrial Station became Danube Station and Khalid Bin Al Waleed went on to be called Burjuman
- Between the year 2013 and 2014, two more metro stations: Creek Station and Jadaf Station opened on the Green Line
- On 9th September 2019, the Dubai Metro completed ten years of service
General Information
These general facts about Dubai Metro will help you learn how this system works and more about its main features.
A long-held Dream of H.H Sheikh Mohammed
Dubai Metro was a dream of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. He was ten years old when he visited London with his father in 1959. Upon seeing the train’s driverless system, he developed a desire to create a sustainable transportation system with world-class infrastructure in his beloved Dubai. With the inauguration of Dubai Metro, his desire finally got fulfilled.
The idea that first got rejected
According to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the idea of creating a metro network in Dubai was first met with rejection. Many members of Executive Council initially disapproved the idea of creating a rapid transit network in Dubai. But it was then welcomed as a bright beacon of development and has gone on to benefit the people of the region.
The longest, driverless metro in the world
On 23rd May 2011, Dubai Metro Red line got recognised by Guinness Book of World Records as the longest driverless metro line in the world. It is 52.1km (32.37 miles).
Dubai Metro’s passengers grow on a yearly basis
The Metro is the most common way to travel from one place to another in Dubai. Over 500,000 people use Metro every day, out of which 643 can be accommodated on a single line. Since its launch, over 500,000,000 people have, so far, hopped aboard the Dubai Metro.
Built by Japanese companies, Managed by French-American joint venture
Under the directives of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Metro was built and designed by the Dubai Rail Link consortium.
The consortium consisted of top Japanese companies and a Turkish firm including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kajima Corporation, Obayashi Corporation and Yapi Merkezi.
However, the responsibility to manage the construction of this AED 12.45 billion project fell upon a French-American joint venture Systra and Parsons Corporation.
Operates more than 70 trains
In total, there are 79 trains currently operating as part of the Dubai Metro, each with a capacity to accommodate 650 riders.
Disaster Preventive Equipment is installed in Metro and stations
To avoid any serious incident, many intercoms, platform screen doors, corresponding flashlight signals and emergency stop buttons are installed at all metro stations in Dubai. Moreover, all trains consist of fire extinguishers, door release levers, CCTVs and emergency stop buttons.
Integration with the Dubai Tram
Thanks to the integration of Dubai Tram with the Dubai Metro at DMCC and Damac Properties, passengers can now have access to these two facilities. They can cross the footbridges that connect these two adjacent tram stations with Dubai Metro.
It runs on direct current
Dubai Metro uses 132KV/33KV power from three independent substations that are taken care of by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority). Out of these three main power supply stations (MPS), MPS1 is at Jebel Ali, MPS2 and 3 are in Union Square and ensure constant electricity supply to Red and Green Line networks. It operates using 750 volts of direct current.
It uses an electrical braking system to minimise power consumption. In this system, electrical energy can be regenerated and the capacity of the system increased. This, in turn, reduces the running cost.
The launch of Route 2020 Project
In 2016, H.H Sheikh Mohammed endorsed the contract for extending the Dubai Metro’s Red Line from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the Expo 2020 site. It is one of the most popular projects for Expo 2020.
The route is expected to be 15km long and will consist of seven stations. It will serve areas that have over 270k people. For instance, The Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and Discovery Gardens are some of these densely populated areas that will be facilitated by this new initiative.
Fun Facts about Dubai Metro
Keep these facts on your finger-tips so that you can share them with your friends and family:
Sparked a life-long friendship between two Indian expats
Two Indian expats Sayani and Anandita became friends during daily rides on Dubai Metro. With Dubai Metro, their friendship also completed ten years in 2019. No wonder, they call each other ‘Metro buddies’!
Millions of journeys completed
The Dubai Metro is a massive hit among people. It has completed more than 2.348 million journeys, covering 81.133 million km distance.
Themed interiors of Dubai Metro Station
Did you know that the Dubai Metro Stations are themed around four basic elements: earth, air, fire and water? Currently, there are 12 earth-themed, 13 water-themed, 11 air-themed and 11 fire-themed stations with a unique shell-shaped roof that pays tribute to the heritage of the pearl diving in the UAE.
Fashion show on the go – The Express Fashion Catwalk
In 2013, Dubai Metro hosted a fashion show – The Express Fashion catwalk- that all passengers got to enjoy. It was a live catwalk show that showcased both day and evening wear from the exclusive Spring/Summer collections of Bloomingdales. It started from The Dubai Mall station around 1 pm and travelled all the way down to the Metro’s Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station and back.
Organised by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (Depe), in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Bloomingdales, the show played a great role in bringing creativity to Dubai’s already-booming couture scene.
The most crowded day for Dubai Metro
On November 28, 2013, over 530,395 commuters travelled in Dubai Metro, which is so far, the most crowded day for the service.
Fine for falling asleep on Dubai Metro – You snooze, you lose
Since sleeping is prohibited on the Dubai Metro, so if you fall asleep during your ride in Dubai Metro, you will have to pay AED 300 fine.
Has the highest punctuality rate in the world!
Dubai Metro caters to need of the passengers by picking and dropping them off to respective stations without any delay. That’s the reason, it has a 99.7% punctuality rate – the highest for any driverless metro system in the world!
High paperless transaction rates
Passengers use RTA NOL Cards to check in and check out at the gates of Dubai Metro station. They can also pay their respective fare using these electronic cards, provided they have sufficient balance.
In total, there are five types of NOL Cards including Gold, Silver, Blue, Red and customised card that passengers can use to avoid any inconvenience aboard metro in Dubai.
Surprisingly, more than 6.298 billion transactions have been completed by metro riders via NOL cards.
Got two Guinness World Records under its belt
Dubai Metro was recognised as the world’s longest driverless metro network by Guinness World Records in 2012. However, the second time it set a record for forming the longest human chain with people of diverse nationalities.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) organised this activity on Public Transport Day and metro commuters of 96 nationalities participated in it. Although both records got surpassed later, the fact that it achieved worldwide recognition, is a tale in itself.
Free trip for toddlers and people with special needs
Dubai Metro leaves no stone unturned in easing the life of residents. It offers dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and as well as facilities for mothers with baby prams across all trains and stations.
Kids below 5 years of age and people of determination can also enjoy a free trip to their desired destination, provided they have a special, personalised NOL Card.
It doesn’t waste resources
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) ensures natural resources don’t get wasted. It recycles 80 per cent of the water used to wash the trains.
Free Parking at stations for Metro users
Dubai Metro offers an amazing facility to metro users. They can park their car for free!
70 minutes run time
With the Dubai Metro, travelling has become much easier. You can travel from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali via Red Line within 60 to 70 minutes!
Similar to this, you can check out the facts about the history of Dubai to know how it evolved into the glitzy, glamorous city that you see today.
