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Dubai: The Metro is being built to serve residents and visitors within Dubai and not to ease traffic congestion in neighbouring emirates, said a senior official.
"It would be wrong to say that the Dubai Metro will ease traffic congestion in neighbouring emirates unless they build a similar metro system and connect to the Dubai Metro," said Engineer Abdul Majid Al Khaja, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rail Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.
"I should emphasise that Dubai Metro and tram is purely to serve Dubai city. We want to make journeys within Dubai pleasant with less time," he told Gulf News.
"There have been no discussions so far with authorities in the neighbouring emirates on the issue of linking the Dubai Metro but we can receive their metro lines anytime to connect them with our system if they approach us," he said.
He said that the RTA is working on the plan to extend the Red Line by 16.5 km from Jebel Ali to Dubai-Abu Dhabi borders. "We are also planning to link the Red Line with the new airport in Jebel Ali," he said.
Al Khaja revealed that Dubai will have a comprehensive network of metro lines and tram tracks to meet the transport needs of an expected 5.2 million population by 2020.
After the Red and the Green Lines, currently under construction, the Rail Agency will start construction on the Purple Line and Blue Line.
Rainbow lines
"There will be a rainbow of Metro line colours as we are roughly looking at eight Metro lines but I cannot give the exact number because it will be decided with the growing needs of the city and new projects," Al Khaja said.
He said the Rail Agency will construct a total of 318 km of Metro lines and 270 km of tram lines by 2020. The metro and tram networks will be linked to other modes of public transport including buses, water transport and taxis. He said the contract for the 49-km long Purple Line, which will connect Dubai International Airport with Al Maktoum Airport in Jebel Ali passing through the new developments on Al Khail Road will be awarded in 2009. The line is likely to be extended to new developments later.
The contract for the Purple Line will be awarded in 2009 and it will be operational in 2012.
The Blue Line, which will initially be 50 km, will start from Dubai International Airport to Jebel Ali Airport passing through Emirates Road, is currently under study.
It is likely to be extended from Dubai Airport to Palm Deira and to other new developments towards Dubai waterfront projects. The construction of this line is expected to start after 2012.
Public transport integration plan ready
A special committee formed at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the study to provide a 'complete journey experience' to passengers using public transport from one point to another in Dubai.
"The commit has successfully completed plan to integrate public transport linking cars, the buses, the marine transport and the metro," said an official at the RTA.
He said the RTA knows that public are concerned about completing their journey before and after using metro. "They will be provided with buses, taxis, parking facilities and pedestrian crossings to complete their journey," he added.
Your comments
Other UAE emirates, such as Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, should wake up and undertake their own metro projects immediately.
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 14:56
Well, one of the biggest problems in Dubai is parking. I don't think parking near the metro will be that easy.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 12:21
The rail system will not have a significant impact on the congestion in Dubai. Most office goers would still prefer their personal vehicle because they can reach office directly. On the contrary, if someone uses the metro, he will still have to depend on linking buses or taxis to reach office.
Raj
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 10:51
Living in the UAE is like living in seven different countries, only with no borders. I'm really fed up.
Dilip
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 09:11
Keep it up. Let us hope that the Dubai metro will spur the start of this mode of transport all over the GCC region.
Salem
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 08:58
The Dubai Metro will mark a watershed in the way we commute in the city. The metro's success will depend on connecting it to important places of business. Also, it needs to be well linked with other means of public transport such as buses. Security for commuters, especially ladies, during odd hours will be crucial. I am sure the commuters will embrace this mode of travel wholeheartedly.
Bernard
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 08:13
As commuters will need to use taxis or buses to reach the metro, the ticket prices should be kept reasonable.
Vipin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 07, 2008, 07:19
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