Red Line connects old areas to new developments around city

Dubai: The Dubai Metro Red Line, which was opened Thursday, has been strategically laid as it connects city's old areas with the new developments what people call the 'New Dubai'.

Some 41km and 10 stations were opened as part of the first phase out of the total 52.1km of the Line and 29 stations. Though the full Line runs from Al Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, until February next year, it will serve passengers between Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station and Al Rashidiya Station.

The Line passes through most of the tourist areas, luxurious shopping centre such as Ibn Batuta Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, BurJuman Centre and Deira City Centre. Most of it runs snaking up and down along the city's busiest highway, Shaikh Zayed Road, connecting the strategic icons like the Dubai World Trade Centre that hosts international exhibitions and conferences.

It will provide vital links between important business and leisure destinations and residential communities including Dubai Financial Market, Emirates Towers, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, American University, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. It connects the city with Dubai Airport.

Some 11 trains are set to run on the Red Line 10 minutes headway at a rate of six trains per hour with an intake of 3,858 passengers per hour per directions.