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Discuss this article (40 Comments)Our City, Our Metro
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 10 September 2009
As Dubai launches go, it was low key. No Hollywood celebrities. No rock concert. Even the fireworks went unnoticed.
But as one of the Dubai government officials told me last night: “We don’t need to hype this. You just need to get on the train.”
He was right. In fact, that’s pretty much all His Highness Sheikh Mohammed did. After strolling through Mall of the Emirates and watching a video, he bought the first ever Dubai Metro ticket and then boarded the first ever passenger train, bang on time at 9.9.9.9.9.
Simple, but spectacular. Make no mistake, last night is proof that Dubai is back on the big stage. Have you been on the Metro? You really should go. Okay, we can argue forever about the number of stations not ready, car parking facilities, train timings and long term revenue forecasts.
Forget all that. Just get on the train now. Most of you reading this will have used some form of a metro elsewhere in the world. New York, Paris, London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur…they all claim to have world class systems.
Not anymore. Dubai has beaten them hands down. For design, comfort, and luxury – you name the criteria, Dubai has outdone everyone.
And in record time. Just 49 months. Six years ago when I came to Dubai, there wasn’t a single Metro hole in the ground. Nobody had even heard the words “Dubai Metro.” Now it is reality.
The RTA suggests that by 2020, 1.8 million people a day will use the Metro. Judging by this morning, I believe those figures are correct, because overnight, in an instance, the entire travelling culture of the emirate has been transformed.
I saw suits with brief cases and Blackberrys waiting patiently to board their train on the way to work. Tourists heading to hotels, even mothers taking their children to school.
It is very early days – actually it’s just four hours since the Metro was open to paying passengers. Our travelling habits have been changed forever. Forget the glitches, of which there will be many in the coming days, because the job has been done. Was it worth $7.2 billion? Yes.
Last night was also the best possible message to the rest of the world, particularly the foreign media that has been busy writing Dubai’s history. Now it must write the future again, as the Metro puts Dubai high in the league of mega-cities. There was no summer panic, no mass exodus, no second crash.
Last year on September 15, the world’s economies changed forever. That was the day a 158 year old bank called Lehman Brothers became the largest bankruptcy in US history. Yesterday, nearly exactly one year later, will in time be seen as the turning point for Dubai.
There is an unmistakable buzz in the emirate, hope is rising and confidence is back. Dubai is back.
A few years ago, HH Sheikh Mohammed was asked by CBS news why he was pushing to complete his vision for the future so fast. “Because I want it now,” he replied.
Yesterday he got it.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
How Govt Spending on Infrastructure will stimulate economy
Posted by Abdul Kalam, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 09:52 UAE time
As the economy is going through recession, Govt spending, as part of its Fiscal Policy(Govt Spending and Taxation), will stimulate economic activities and create jobs. These, in turn, will spur demand that will mitigate the effect of recession.
Posted by Abdul Kalam, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Thursday 17 September 2009 at 09:52 UAE time
As the economy is going through recession, Govt spending, as part of its Fiscal Policy(Govt Spending and Taxation), will stimulate economic activities and create jobs. These, in turn, will spur demand that will mitigate the effect of recession.
Wherever I lay my hat...that's my home..
Posted by clyde, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 16:04 UAE time
(as Marvin gaye would say).. and so If I am currently in the UAE, until such a time I have to leave, what am I contributing to it?
Instead of bickering, and moaning... take something that you find can improve and do your bit towards it.. however little.
Dubai Metro at least gives a chance for people who are otherwise challenged to venture out, a way of doing it. IS it perfect in this regard? maybe not.. maybe there are still improvements to be made, lets work on doing just that.
Here's my little bit. A video on building awareness how it just may offer a viable means for people with special needs to move around the city and for instance go grocery shopping, or see a movie or buy a book, with minimum assistance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BosQR3jMRY0
Kind Regards.
Posted by clyde, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 16:04 UAE time
(as Marvin gaye would say).. and so If I am currently in the UAE, until such a time I have to leave, what am I contributing to it?
Instead of bickering, and moaning... take something that you find can improve and do your bit towards it.. however little.
Dubai Metro at least gives a chance for people who are otherwise challenged to venture out, a way of doing it. IS it perfect in this regard? maybe not.. maybe there are still improvements to be made, lets work on doing just that.
Here's my little bit. A video on building awareness how it just may offer a viable means for people with special needs to move around the city and for instance go grocery shopping, or see a movie or buy a book, with minimum assistance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BosQR3jMRY0
Kind Regards.
all boast...
Posted by dawood, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 13:30 UAE time
william....i meant to highlight that there are metro systems all over the world and i have used them extensively in singapore, hong kong, seoul, tokyo, london, zurich, new york, delhi , copenhagen...and when u compare it to the hyped up, and by comparison slow dubai metro lacks any depth. Yes it is a positive to dubai, but please don't go around boasting its the best metro in the world......far from it mate...
Posted by dawood, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 13:30 UAE time
william....i meant to highlight that there are metro systems all over the world and i have used them extensively in singapore, hong kong, seoul, tokyo, london, zurich, new york, delhi , copenhagen...and when u compare it to the hyped up, and by comparison slow dubai metro lacks any depth. Yes it is a positive to dubai, but please don't go around boasting its the best metro in the world......far from it mate...
Shakepear
Posted by Sunil, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 12:54 UAE time
Simple.
If you have an effective transporation system people can get to work for cheaper and will have more money to speand.
they will not be stuck in traffic and will be more productive at work.
The system wil bring people to areas of the city that they might not visit and they may spend more money finding goods and service that they did not know exist.
Above is just a few of the benefits that the Metro night bring to the city.
Posted by Sunil, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 12:54 UAE time
Simple.
If you have an effective transporation system people can get to work for cheaper and will have more money to speand.
they will not be stuck in traffic and will be more productive at work.
The system wil bring people to areas of the city that they might not visit and they may spend more money finding goods and service that they did not know exist.
Above is just a few of the benefits that the Metro night bring to the city.
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