Monday, September 9, 2024 Dubai Metro commemorates its 15th anniversary on Monday, 9 September, a momentous occasion highlighting its transformative impact on the city’s urban transit system. As a symbol of Dubai’s innovative and forward-thinking approach, the metro has emerged as an essential artery connecting vital regions across the city, offering reliable and sustainable transportation options for both residents and visitors. Since its inception on 9 September 2009, Dubai Metro has grown alongside the city’s rapid urbanisation, contributing significantly to its evolution as a global hub for business, tourism, and futuristic city development.
In its 15 years of operation, the Dubai Metro has achieved significant milestones, serving approximately 2.4 billion passengers. It has played a critical role in meeting the transport needs of Dubai’s expanding population, delivering exceptional operational efficiency, punctuality, and adherence to top-tier global safety standards.
Today, with an average daily ridership of 730,000 passengers, the Dubai Metro remains the transportation choice for many, thanks to its impressive 99.7% punctuality rate and unwavering commitment to safety. Since its launch, the metro has facilitated over 4.
3 million journeys, covering an impressive 26.8 million kilometres, solidifying its role as a pillar of Dubai’s transit infrastructure. Backbone of Dubai’s public transport infrastructure His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), stated: “The Dubai Metro is one of the visionary initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
It aims to provide a world-class public transport infrastructure, positioning Dubai as a global hub for finance and business. The concept is anchored in His Highness’s firm belief in the importance of a metro system to meet the growing population and urban development needs of the city. His Highness envisioned the metro as the backbone of a transportation network that links all key areas in the emirate, ensuring safe and smooth travel for passengers.
His Highness also directed that the metro’s facilities must have the highest standards of elegance and luxury.” “Dubai Metro has been privileged to receive unlimited support and strategic guidance from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE,” Al Tayer added. Continuous track record of success “Since its inauguration on September 9, 2009, the Dubai Metro has maintained a continuous track record of success.
The metro network has expanded significantly, with the length of lines growing from 52 kilometres to 90 kilometres, the number of stations increasing from 10 to 53, and the number of operating trains rising from 79 to 129. Daily ridership also surged from 20,000 on 10 September, 2009, to 767,000 on 3 September, 2024. On some days, such as New Year’s Eve and major holidays, the metro has accommodated up to 900,000 riders in a single day.
Furthermore, Dubai Metro has created job opportunities for Emirati nationals, with 228 citizens currently employed by the metro’s operating company. It has maintained its status as the world’s longest driverless metro project and a landmark project of the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, serving as the cornerstone of the emirate’s public transport system. It continues to uphold its global reputation for safety, adopting environmentally friendly and effective solutions, supporting green economy principles, and achieving operational efficiency and punctuality in service schedules,” Al Tayer commented.
Positive indicators Al Tayer expressed his satisfaction with the positive indicators reflecting continuous growth in Dubai Metro’s ridership, demonstrating that the substantial investments made by the Government of Dubai in developing public transportation infrastructure have been successful and effective. “These investments have supported Dubai’s development journey, boosted economic activity, and enhanced the emirate’s global competitiveness in attracting and hosting major global events, such as exhibitions, conferences, and international meetings. Notably, Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020.
The metro has also contributed to environmental preservation, reduced the financial impact of traffic congestion, decreased the demand for private vehicle use, and encouraged a shift towards public transport. Moreover, the metro has fostered a cultural shift within the community towards public transportation, with people beginning to appreciate the benefits of a public transport system, such as mental and physical comfort, ease of movement, reduced fuel expenses, and lower vehicle maintenance costs,” Al Tayer explained. Strategic Partnerships Al Tayer expressed heartfelt appreciation to the strategic partners whose collaboration has been pivotal in the continued success of the Dubai Metro.
Notable partners include the Dubai Police General Headquarters, specifically the General Department of Transport Security, and Keolis MHI, the company responsible for operating the metro. He also acknowledged the passengers of Dubai Metro for making it their preferred mode of transportation across the emirate and for respecting the regulations and maintaining the facilities. Remarkably, there have been no incidents of vandalism or deliberate damage to the metro facilities over the years.
Al Tayer further commended the dedication of the RTA employees, particularly those in the Rail Agency, for their tireless efforts in overseeing and ensuring smooth operations. Consistent Ridership Growth Since its launch, Dubai Metro’s ridership has seen continuous growth. In the initial four months from September to December 2009, the number of passengers reached 6.
089 million. By 2010, this figure surged to 38.089 million, and in 2011, it rose to 69.
001 million. The metro’s success continued, with ridership reaching 109.049 million in 2012, 137.
076 million in 2013, and 164.031 million in 2014. By 2015, the number increased to 178.
065 million, followed by 191.033 million in 2016. The metro crossed the 200 million mark in 2017 with 200.
075 million passengers, reaching an all-time high of 204.041 million in 2018. In 2019, the metro recorded 202.
098 million passengers. Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dubai Metro continued to serve 113.063 million riders.
Ridership rebounded in 2021 with 151.026 million passengers, and in 2022, the metro set a new record with 225.142 million riders.
In 2023, the number rose to 260.034 million, while from January to August 2024, the ridership has already reached 175.46 million.
Route 2020 Expansion On 29 June 2016, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the awarding of the Route 2020 project contract to extend the Red Line from Jebel Ali Station to the Expo 2020 site. Valued at AED 10.6 billion, the contract was awarded to the Expo Link Consortium, comprising French, Spanish, and Turkish companies.
The construction milestone was marked on 5 September 2016, when His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum laid the foundation stone. The Route 2020 line officially opened on 8 July 2020, spanning 15 kilometres, with 11.8 kilometres elevated and 3.
2 kilometres underground. The route includes seven stations and serves densely populated areas such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Dubai Investment Park, catering to over 270,000 residents. The journey from Dubai Marina to Expo Metro Station takes only 16 minutes, with a capacity of 46,000 passengers per hour in both directions.
The Blue Line: Future Growth In alignment with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, on 23 November 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, which will span 30 kilometres and connect 14 stations. This strategic line is designed to serve approximately one million residents in key areas. The Blue Line will be the fifth major project in Dubai’s public transport network, following the Red and Green Lines, the Dubai Tram, and Route 2020.
This project is crucial to achieving the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and strengthening Dubai’s position as a world-class city. The Blue Line will enhance connectivity with the Red and Green Lines and provide direct links between Dubai International Airport and nine key areas along the route. Travel times are expected to range between 10 and 25 minutes.
The Blue Line boasts several standout features, including Dubai Metro’s first bridge crossing Dubai Creek, spanning 1,300 metres, and two architecturally unique stations at Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Silicon Oasis. The line will also feature the largest underground transfer station in the metro network, with a capacity of 350,000 passengers per day, covering an area of 44,000 square metres. It is the first Dubai transport project to meet platinum-grade green building standards.
Operational Excellence The Rail Operations Control Centre is among the most advanced globally, managing 24/7 operations for the Red and Green Lines. Its precision and efficiency have played a key role in maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational performance for Dubai Metro. The centre oversees train movements, automatic systems, communication networks, and safety protocols, ensuring smooth daily operations.
It also manages environmental controls, fire safety systems, and ventilation within tunnels and stations, contributing to the overall efficiency of the network. Key Milestones in Dubai Metro’s Journey:.
