UAE | Traffic and Transport

Plush seat set Gold, Silver Nol cards apart

The only difference between the Silver and Gold Class is that the Gold Card holders get to ride the train right in the front, getting a cockpit view of the Dubai city whizzing past.

  • By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 22:57 September 10, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News
  • Residents of Dubai make use of the Metro between Al Rashidiya and Airport Terminal 3 stations. The Dubai Metro opened to the public on Thursday.

Dubai: The only difference between the Silver and Gold Class is that the Gold Card holders get to ride the train right in the front, getting a cockpit view of the Dubai city whizzing past.

Since you are paying double for the VIP ride (Dh4.60 as compared to Dh2.30 for Silver), the seats are a little more plush and this section is the only one which has a luggage section. But it is on the ground and looks like it can hold only about five small suitcases, for the 20 passengers in this section.

Since it was the first day, attendants had to keep reminding passengers to move back away from the VIP and the women's sections as curious passengers walked the length of the train.

The VIP riders get a little more privacy as a door can be closed, demarcating the sections.

Lin Chen, a train attendant, had her hands full, politely making the passengers leave the ladies and Gold sections. She said she started work at 4 am and at around noon had already done four loops between Al Rashidiya and Mall of the Emirates stations.

Ebrahim Abdullah, who works in a bank, said the ride compares to any European subway system, if not better. "The air-conditioning is good," he said.

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Aamer, a student, said the seats are bigger and comfortable. "There are less people (in this section)," he said.

In the Silver section, you have to scrunch up to your neighbours at some popular stations like Mall of the Emirates from where everyone seemed to be alighting the train yesterday.

Derek Helman and Cindy, working with Emirates, said the Metro seemed "real fancy, lot more futuristic."

Helman said his apartment is so situated on Shaikh Zayed Road that he has to pay Salik just to get home.

The train will now save him some money.

Which card do you prefer? Which one would you be using more? Are you satisfied with the seating areas on the Metro?

Your comments


What a change and what a success. I lived in Dubai 1971-1985 and saw all developments, shindagah tunnel, Rashid Port and new Aiport but, this is one step forward. I will be visiting Dubai to enjoy the ride.
Khaliq Parvez
Toronto,Canada
Posted: September 11, 2009, 14:18

Silver card, the most convinient one, and economical too. Imaging using gold card to access vip class and find no seats, you not only pay double but also have to walk back to general class. Moreover the daily fare cap of aed 14 is available only on silver card. Silver is the best choice of course. No red tickets pls. You buy one tier red ticket and sleep or miss the station and you could end up paying fines. Silver cards always helps this with a few fils difference..
Sameer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2009, 09:52

If only the VIP cart has a minute area to keep your luggage, what is the point of having the train go to the airport if none other sections of the train passengers are allowed to carry luggage. So if you are about to travel by air, and you need to get to the airport, does that mean your luggage goes by taxi and you go by train??
Peter
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2009, 09:27

Still not satisfied, There should have area for couples or family
Carlo Laserna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2009, 07:58

I've lived in the U.A.E for over 20 years and of recent have shifted back to my roots in Karachi. As an ex-resident of U.A.E I am really proud of the METRO that Dubai hails now. Hope other emirates also take-up the same.
Wajiha Quraishi
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: September 11, 2009, 07:29

Reasons for me not using the public bus is the amount of people in it. I use my car to go to university. in a year's time all the stations would be open and if the normal class is free for my trip i would consider it. if not, the gold class would do (since i pay very close to that amount in salik without the petrol!). if the gold class is also really crowded, i shall continue using my car unless i will be making trips in off-peak times.
Ihab Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2009, 05:55

RTA Metro is the finest comparing to all over the world, excellent services
Mikhail
Georgia,USA
Posted: September 11, 2009, 04:02

i prefer gold card, but i got the feedback from my friends that people with silver card were also seen in gold card section. I dont know if this is the scene then whats the benifit of paying more where as the silver card passenger can stroll into gold card section
Imtiaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2009, 01:07

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