RTA adds new lines to Dubai Metro

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hopes that once the Dubai Metro is up and running, three quarters of journeys will be done using public transport.

Between 1992 and 2006, five studies were conducted in Dubai in an attempt to find a solution for the traffic problem. These incorporated the Urban Traffic Control system, a comprehensive transport study and Dubai transport options, and a future metro line.

Testing in March

The Dhs15.5bn metro project kicked off in February 06 and two rail lines are now under construction, and was scheduled to be partially open by September 2009 and fully operating by 2012.

But addressing the Middle East Rail Projects 2007 yesterday, Abdulredha Abu Al-Hassan, RTA Dubai Director of Planning, said that work is well ahead of schedule and trials will now begin in March 2008 instead of November as originally planned. Design was completed in March, tunneling, he said, is ahead of schedule and the first train will be delivered by March next year.

The Red and Green lines are being constructed now. The Red line will be 52.1km long, starting at Dubai Airport, going through Union Square, passing under the Creek up to Burjuman then to Sheikh Zayed Road where it will head towards Jebel Ali. This line will have 29 stations; 24 of which will be elevated, with four underground and one at ground level.

The shorter Green line will be 22.5km long with 18 stations, 12 of which are elevated and six underground. This line starts in Al Qusais, through Salaheddine Street to Union Square where it intersects with the Red line, giving passengers the chance to change between the two lines. After that the Green line passes under the Creek towards Burjuman, where it again intersects with the Red line.

High integration

A weak spot with the Dubai Metro is how to get people out of their cars, particularly in the very hot summer months. While it's still not clear how the RTA will efficiently and quickly move large numbers of people from the metro station to their place of work, or to the station in the first place for those people who don't own a car, Al-Hassan pointed out that adjacent bus areas will be integrated with every station. These will include taxis, water taxis, and busses that can be used via a smart card to be introduced later.

Additionally, extensive car parking will also be provided. The biggest will be in Al Qusais, with parking for 6,000 cars for commuters traveling from Sharjah to Dubai.

Forces of nature

Every metro station will have one of four themes; Fire, Water, Earth and Air. And every train will have five compartments with reserved wheelchair spaces for handicapped. Video and audio devices will be added to all compartments also aiming at providing people with assistance they need.

And the RTA is now considering four future projects, including two new lines and two line extensions.

A new Purple line is planned to provide express services between Dubai Airport and Jebel Ali Airport, with check-in facilities and integration points with buses, trams, and the sea for water taxis. A Blue line will also be added to ensure alternative routes to the Red and Green lines. For both lines operations, contractors have already been assigned.

One of the extensions will add 15.5km to the Red line, including six stations and a multi-storey car park, while the other will add 12km to the Green line with six new stations.

The fourth project is the Al Sofouh Tram, which will include 19 stations and have three integrated stations with the Red line. This will be implemented over two phases.

The cost of the latest editions to the Dubai Metro project hasn't been revealed. But in terms of the projected costs for building the Metro, ignoring the new additions, Al-Hasan expects it to come within 15-20 per cent of the original budget.

See also:
Dubai Metro Trains to undergo dynamic tests in Japan
Jebel Ali Airport line for Dubai Metro