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Discuss this article (20 Comments)10 metro stations to open on Sept 9 - RTA
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 30 August 2009
Only 10 stations will be open when the Dubai Metro Red Line launches on September 9 and the opening of the Green Line has been pushed back three months, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday.
The stations to open on September 9 will be: Rashidiya, Airport Terminal 3, Deira City Center, Al Rigga, Union, Khaleed bin Al Waleed, Al Jafiliya, DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Harbour and Tower.
The Green Line, originally scheduled to open in March 2010, will open three months later than originally planned.
Other stations on the Red Line, such as Jebel Ali, are ready to open on the launch day but are being delayed because surrounding developments are not ready, RTA chairman Mattar Al Tayer said at a press conference.
Most other stations are expected to be open by February next year.
The decision to delay opening all the stations was to avoid "bugs in the system". He added: "The service to the public has to be efficient...we don't want to compromise safety."
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed will officially inaugurate the Dubai Metro on the first day of operations.
Initially, 11 trains will run on the Red Line, which is expected to carry 3,500 passengers per hour in each direction.
The RTA said 90 percent of Red Line stations were ready for operation, even if they didn't look it from the outside.
Commenting on how the scheme had progressed, Al Tayer added that it was common for such a large-scale project to have "disputes with contractors" but added that they had all been paid on time.
He said that financing for the metro project had been guaranteed by the Dubai government.
During Ramadan, the Metro will operate from 6am to midnight, apart from Fridays when operating hours will be 2pm until midnight. Initially, the trains will run at a rate of six per hour, or every ten minutes. Normal operating hours will be 6am to 11pm, except Fridays, when it will operate from 2pm.
Work on the Dubai Metro officially began on March 21, 2006. When completed, the Red and Green lines will have a total of 70km of track and 47 stations.
Officials estimate the metro will carry 27,000 passengers per hour and 355 million passengers a year, once both lines are fully operational. Each train can carry up to 643 passengers in five cabins.
A standard ticket will cost between AED2.50 ($0.68) and AED6.50 ($1.80).
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Metro on Fridays
Posted by Raquel Gatchalian, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 30 September 2009 at 10:48 UAE time
As per experience friday is the most congested day for traveling in what ever mode of transportation you use in Dubai..... So why start the Metro at 2 pm??? you can start a bit earlier than that so there wont be any stranded passenger waiting to get a ride at the station caused by the long que, you can start at 9 or 10 am and have only less train as starting and skeletal staff to check on the trip...come on guys just have a think of what we are suggesting
thre is no harm in considering some opinions.I'am talking base on my own experience.
Posted by Raquel Gatchalian, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 30 September 2009 at 10:48 UAE time
As per experience friday is the most congested day for traveling in what ever mode of transportation you use in Dubai..... So why start the Metro at 2 pm??? you can start a bit earlier than that so there wont be any stranded passenger waiting to get a ride at the station caused by the long que, you can start at 9 or 10 am and have only less train as starting and skeletal staff to check on the trip...come on guys just have a think of what we are suggesting
thre is no harm in considering some opinions.I'am talking base on my own experience.
Metro Timings
Posted by Marie on Wednesday 9 September 2009 at 11:34 UAE time
So much talk about banning food and drink to join the ranks of a world class metro. I almost want to believe the intention is for that and only that. Its a shame the the metro operates only fro 0600 hours to 2300 hours. How about running it 24 hours? I think that until this happens is when it can be considered world class. This would massively reduce road deaths as most of traffic accidents happen in the wee hours of the morning due to drunk driving. Is anyone with me on this? There is also a segment of the population who would never give up there cars other than when they go out for a drink. They either hop on a cab or drunk drive their way home. I think having a metro operate 24 hours would give them less of an excuse to do the latter. And before anyone points a finger, no, I am not a drinker. I am just someone who is fed up with seeing far too many accidents on the road. I believe that this is one of the many ways of bringing us one step closer to reducing that statistic.
Posted by Marie on Wednesday 9 September 2009 at 11:34 UAE time
So much talk about banning food and drink to join the ranks of a world class metro. I almost want to believe the intention is for that and only that. Its a shame the the metro operates only fro 0600 hours to 2300 hours. How about running it 24 hours? I think that until this happens is when it can be considered world class. This would massively reduce road deaths as most of traffic accidents happen in the wee hours of the morning due to drunk driving. Is anyone with me on this? There is also a segment of the population who would never give up there cars other than when they go out for a drink. They either hop on a cab or drunk drive their way home. I think having a metro operate 24 hours would give them less of an excuse to do the latter. And before anyone points a finger, no, I am not a drinker. I am just someone who is fed up with seeing far too many accidents on the road. I believe that this is one of the many ways of bringing us one step closer to reducing that statistic.
Less Frequency on Friday
Posted by Friday is a day for families and friends on Tuesday 1 September 2009 at 13:46 UAE time
A public transport system should certainly start before 2pm on a Friday if you want to stop people from relying on cars. Instead of a late start, why not run the trains from 9am on a Friday, but instead of running 6 trains an hour just run 2 and then increasing as the need arises. What is needed during peak hours is not necessary on a Friday so you can cut down the frequency and costs for operating on a weekend.
Posted by Friday is a day for families and friends on Tuesday 1 September 2009 at 13:46 UAE time
A public transport system should certainly start before 2pm on a Friday if you want to stop people from relying on cars. Instead of a late start, why not run the trains from 9am on a Friday, but instead of running 6 trains an hour just run 2 and then increasing as the need arises. What is needed during peak hours is not necessary on a Friday so you can cut down the frequency and costs for operating on a weekend.
Fridays
Posted by Murgh Al Jalfrazi, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 1 September 2009 at 10:40 UAE time
I agree, it is ridiculous to not offer the metro on Friday mornings. I get the impresssion that the Metro is about trying to show that Dubai is a world class city, rather than actually providing its residents with a service.
Posted by Murgh Al Jalfrazi, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 1 September 2009 at 10:40 UAE time
I agree, it is ridiculous to not offer the metro on Friday mornings. I get the impresssion that the Metro is about trying to show that Dubai is a world class city, rather than actually providing its residents with a service.
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