Dubai Metro fares revealed

The cost of travelling on the new Dubai Metro, which launches in September, will range between 80 fils and AED6.50, transport chiefs announced on Monday.

The cost in Dubai compares well to single ticket costs around 1.60 euros (AED8) for the Paris Metro and GBP4 (AED24) for an adult single zone ticket on the London Underground.

The Metro system in Dubai will be split into five zones and park and ride facilities will be available to the stations free of charge, Roads and Transport Authority officials added at a press conference on Monday.

They also added that the cost of a one-day ticket will be AED14 and passengers can buy paper tickets or cards which can be topped up. The RTA said it wants 30 percent of Dubai's population to use the new $4.2bn rail project.

The Dubai Metro’s 52km red line, running from Jebel Ali to Rashidiya, is scheduled to open on September 9 while the green line is due to come on line in March 2010.

The 23.9 km track will start in Al Qusais, running around Dubai creek, and stretch to Jedaff.

The RTA will be hoping the Metro fares are more favourably received than the Palm Juneirah Monorail prices, which were heavily criticised by the public.

In May, Arabian Business was inundated with emails and calls from Dubai residents protesting against the monorail charges.

One reader said: “AED25 for a return journey lasting only nine minutes each way? That is daylight robbery.”

Others questioned why the price was more than fees for using similar public transport systems elsewhere in the world.

Responding to the criticism, Palm Monorail developer Nakheel insisted its AED25 for a round trip and AED15 single journey tickets were reasonable.

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