Dubai: The Green Line of the Dubai Metro project, set to open in September, will provide easy access to a number of government offices, health care facilities and commercial business district areas of Dubai.
"The route of the Green Line was designed as part of a master plan intended to enhance the integration of mass transit modes and to expand public transport reach to major residential, trading and business districts as well as cultural, sports and health facilities," said Adnan Al Hammadi, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
According to the RTA, the Green Line is scheduled to open in September but the exact date will be announced in August. "The Line and the stations are fully ready and the test run of trains is being done successfully," said Al Hammadi.
The 23km-long Green Line from Al Ghusais near Emirates Road to Al Jaddaf (near Business Bay Crossing) passing through the congested Central Business District (CBD) areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. It will link with the Red Line at Khalid Bin Al Waleed and Union Stations, allowing passengers to change trains.
Transfer stations
The Green Line has 18 stations — 12 elevated and six underground. Union Square and Khalid Bin Al Waleed underground stations are transfer stations where the Green and Red Lines cross. Once the Green Line opens, these stations will allow passengers to change trains.
"The Green Line is expected to give big boost to the public transport system in Dubai as it links the old and modern districts," he said. "The line starts from Etisalat Station in Al Ghusais, which is the first station for passengers coming from Sharjah and other neighbouring emirates. This station also has multi-level Park-and-Ride terminal with capacity for more than 2,700 vehicles and a bus station.
The Green Line passes through some vital locations. Al Nahdah Station serves the densely populated residential areas in addition to sports and commercial points such as Al Ahli Club, Lulu Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Al Ittihad Coop Society, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works and the Customer Service Centre of Dubai Municipality in Al Twar.
Al Qiyadah Station serves Dubai Police General Headquarters building and Al Mulla Plaza and access to Sharjah and Al Mamzar areas.
Abu Bakr Al Seddiqi Station serves mostly commercial areas such as retail outlets for building materials, hotels, Hamarain and Warba Centres and Al Muraqqabat Police Station
Salah Al Deen Station in the Central Business District (CBD) is in close proximity to Al Ghurair Centre and Al Reef Mall in addition to a number of hotels.
Historic buildings
The Bani Yas Station lies in the heart of the CBD area and it will provide link to Abra service, in addition to hotels and old shopping areas.
The Palm Deira Station will serve visitors to Deira Corniche, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Gold Souq and Deira Old Souq.
Al Ras Station in Deira side provides access to old business district including the Old Gold Souq, the fish market and historic buildings such as Al Ahmadiya School.
Al Ghubaiba Station in Bur Dubai serves heritage areas such as Al Bastakiya and Shindagha near the Heritage and Diving Village. The station also offers integrated multi-modal transit service linking the bus, metro and the marine transport services.
Oud Metha Station which is one of the key stations as it is close to a number of schools, community clubs and Rashid Hospital.
The Dubai Healthcare City station which will be the last operating station is surrounded by healthcare providers. It also provides access to Wafi Shopping Centre, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Grand Cineplex, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and a number of banks.
