$136mn tram system to link Downtown Burj Dubai

Emaar Properties unveiled plans on Wednesday for a $136 million advanced tram system for its Downtown Burj Dubai flagship project.

The 4.6km Downtown Burj Dubai Tram System tramway has been designed to meet the commuting needs of residents and visitors to the $20 billion mixed-use neighbourhood, comprising more than 30,000 homes, and over 3.77 million square feet of retail space, Emaar said in a statement.

Chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar said the system would address the huge anticipated demand on the traffic infrastructure within the project, adding it was also environmentally viable and would deliver sustainable solutions for the long-term.

The first phase, scheduled to be up and running by the end of 2009, will feature a 1.1km twin track express link shuttle service between the Burj Palace interchange station with Dubai Metro and The Dubai Mall.

The driverless service will have a one-way journey time of 2-3 minutes with 1-2 minutes between trams, and include an intermediate stop at a new hotel development, currently being planned.

Phase two will consist of a 4.6km, single track, clockwise commuter service operating from and to the Burj Palace interchange station with Dubai Metro.

It will service all ten stations that network the 500-acre development featuring architectural milestones such as Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, and the Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations.

The complete one-way journey time will be approximately eight minutes. This phase is planned to be fully operational in 2010.

Automatic fare collection will be compatible with the RTA’s Unified Automatic Card system, enabling integrated travel across Dubai’s public transport system.