The “Red Line” of Dubai Metro will start operations on 09.09.09, after a construction time of 3,5 years only. It is the first operating Metro System in an Arabic Golf country, while similar Metro projects in Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi are still in the planning phase or under construction. Dubai regards today’s achievement as a milestone for a more sustainable development of its city infrastructure. Together with the new tram project and the recently successfully implemented bus routes, Dubai can offer for the first time a comprehensive public transportation system.

The first line of four planned Metro lines has a length of 50 km and was built mainly on Sheikh Zayed Road, the vibrant main road of Dubai, and will connect the International Airport with the central business hubs of the city. When the second “Green Line” will be opened in June 2010, Dubai Metro will be the longest fully automated rail system in the world, overtaking the title from the Vancouver Sky train. The full system will grow to a total length of 318 km in 2020.

On today’s start only 10 of the total 31 stations of the Red Line will be operational. Both tracks are running mainly on elevated viaducts, and underground only in the city centre. All stations, bridges and connected bus terminals are fully air-conditioned, and buses will provide services to reach each station. According to recent press releases the cost of the Project had increased during construction by 80% to approx.
7.5 billion US$.

Posted by: Ticket DXB