50 things you need to know about Dubai Metro

Why is the RTA so confident that the Dubai Metro will help save travelling time?
The Metro will be run on dedicated guide way; hence no traffic jam. It is designed with a high level of reliability and punctuality so passengers can plan their journey time. The experience in other cities also confirms this assumption.

What is Serco’s experience in managing Metro/rail?
Experience includes Dockland Light Rail, Copenhagen Metro, Mersey Rail in Liverpool, Manchester Metro link, Northern Rail in UK, Great Southern Rail.

What does the RTA expect in terms of how much of the Metro capacity will be used?
Depends on the time of the day - at peak hour it is expected that more than 50 percent of the capacity will be used initially. The utilisation will increase over time. A maximum of four people per sq m loading will be maintained.

Are you permitted to eat and drink on board the trains?
No, eating and drinking on board a train is a byelaw offence.

When do you expect that the capacity will be saturated?
The planned network will be expanded when demand increases.

Is smoking allowed within the Metro facilities?
Smoking is not allowed within the Metro facilities.

Is there any plan to link with Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?
The Integrated Transport Master Plan is being developed by RTA.

What other lines besides Red & Green does the RTA hope to introduce?
The Red Line would be extended from the Jebel Ali Free Zone to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. RTA is also studying options to extend the Red Line from Jebel Ali to the Jebel Ali Airport, which is under construction at the moment. The extension of the Green Line has been approved already, with the line extended to 4.9 km from the Healthcare City to Jaddaf. Initially, the Green Line was to be 17.6 km long. Similarly, the Purple and the Blue Lines would be catering to the commuters between the Dubai International Airport and the Jebel Ali Airport and the Emirates Road. A tram Line, Al Sofooh Line, has also been approved and will be a feeder to the Red Line.       

Will pets be allowed in stations and trains?
For hygiene and safety reasons, pets are not allowed in the stations and trains.

Will there be an expansion plan for the train fleet?
The train fleet will increase over time to meet passenger demand and service standard.

Does the Metro operate extra services for special events?
We take into account special events when planning our services in advance and wherever possible we will always endeavour to provide additional services to cope with passenger demand.

Will the frequency of the services increase in the future?
We will closely monitor customer travel patterns and will adjust the timetable/frequency accordingly if it becomes necessary.

How frequent are the trains?
The trains will operate every 3 minutes and 45 second during peak times.

How long does the train take from Rashidiya to Jafza?
69 minutes

Why are there 3 peak services each day?
We operate 3 peak services to cater for passenger demand - 6.30-8.30am, 12.30-2pm and 5.30-9pm - this is when the system will be at its busiest with commuters using the system to get to and from their place of business and for customers wishing to make use of the Metro at lunch time.

Will the service get heavily overloaded during special festivities/special events - making it unsafe to travel on?
Serco always put customer safety first. Serco prepares special safety plans for events which will attract more passengers including crowd control measures, provision of additional trains, increase train frequency, and deployment of additional frontline and security staff.

How will Serco/RTA ensure that the trains run on time?
The most sophisticated train control system is used to monitor and control train movement which will ensure punctuality. A state-of-the-art Operations Control Centre overseeing train movement by well trained controllers will also ensure train run on schedule. Redundant design and condition monitoring alarms for safety critical equipment will also be used as well as proactive preventive maintenance.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Be patient Maroun
Posted by Mike Charles, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 13 September 2009 at 09:20 UAE time


Maroun, you are expecting your new born baby to run before she has learnt to walk. Be patient and give RTA time and surely they will deliver to your expectations..

Dubai Metro Unorganized
Posted by Maroun, Dubai on Saturday 12 September 2009 at 08:44 UAE time


I travelled with Dubai Metro on Friday 10th Sept.from Emirates Mall having two children. I could see the unorganization and the pushing and shuving of people with no respect to woman and baby strollers.There were no women lines,no one to guide but a few staff that were lost themselves.As you finally find your way to the train, while doors open people rush to get inside before doors close and even insist in poking their heads inn while the doors closed.When you get inside there is no way you can walk through the train to get to the woman's section or even the Gold compartment because it's very crowded.At each station it takes 1/2 hr for the door to open and close!While reaching the destination at City center and trying to get back , I boarded the train and it was announced that the train has 2hrs of delay.I had to walk down the City Center to taxi stand and go back to Emirates Mall to my car.That trip cost me 97Dhs!!Waste of time and resources.I hope RTA will re-think and plan properly in the future.

no difficulty in classes
Posted by sak, dubai, uae on Friday 11 September 2009 at 04:55 UAE time


dear Haque,There is no problem in locating the gold/woman & children class as there is only one carriage in the front and the class is marked in the entrance and their are conductors to guide. I tried it yesterday and there was no confusion. Even if you board the other class in a hurry you can go to your class you bought the ticket for as the carriages have passages in between.

Classes of Carriages in Dubai Metro
Posted by abdul haque, Montgomery, USA on Thursday 10 September 2009 at 13:33 UAE time


I am really excited to know that Dubai Metro has become operational for Public from 10th of September ,2009 ( ) I had been
travelled with Metro in London, USA, Hongkong and France but I have not seen any classes of carriages reserved for Female,VIP,Children ( ) It would create a problems for the commuters to find the carriage of their choices and the train stops
for few minutes at each station ( ) In Hongkong where they have population of 6 Million people uses Metro( Underground ) which have no classificaation such as Golden( VI), Women and children
as the Dubai metro has ( ) Will it not be difficult to find out the
exact carriage in a crowded autnosphere? I think this should be in the interest of public ( )

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