Dubai: The Dubai Metro turns three today. Inaugurated on the 9th second, of the 9th minute at 9pm on September 9, 2009 and marking a historical moment for Dubai, the metro has accomplished several milestones.
Over 184 million passengers have used Dubai Metro since its inauguration, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday. Its achievements include high operational efficiency in terms of complying with on-time journey schedules as well as the highest international safety standards, officials said.
“This huge success has gone beyond the boundaries of the emirate to the world over, stamping the prominent standing of Dubai as a distinctive metropolitan city and a hub for business as well as sophisticated living standards,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.
“The Dubai Metro is also viewed as an iconic addition to the landmarks and high-flying achievements of the Dubai Emirate, particularly as it used the cutting-edge technology of the rail industry and carved a niche for itself as the world’s longest driverless metro project.”
The Dubai Metro project is the brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in providing an integrated infrastructure of road networks and transit systems comprising railroads, public buses, marine transit modes and modern traffic technologies, Al Tayer said.
Speaking to Gulf News, Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Rail Operations at Dubai Metro, said that Dubai Metro is Dubai’s most favoured mode of public transportation, with half of those who commute by public transportation choosing metro.
“Over three years, the metro has helped significantly increase the number of people using public transportation in the city.”
On average, more than 300,000 passengers ride Dubai Metro every day, along both the Red and the Green lines. “This is a big accomplishment,” Abdullah said.
Explaining how the metro has helped popularise use of public transportation, Abdullah added that Dubai Metro’s punctuality rate is above 99 per cent, which ranks it among the best in the world. Facilities such as door systems, escalators and customer care also rank high, he said.
Expressing happiness in the growing ridership, Al Tayer said that the figures reveal a shift in the culture of the community in embracing public transportation.
“These indicators show that the RTA is moving forward in its drive to realise its strategic objective of ultimately raising the share of public transit means to 30 per cent of the total number of trips by 2030, as compared to 10 per cent in 2011.”
He added that people have started to understand the advantages of using public transportation such as avoiding physical and mental stress, getting easy access to different locations and monetary savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance.
