Metro memories five years on
When the Dubai Metro service was launched, our family was very excited to try out the ride. We tried it in the first week it opened, and although it was very busy, we enjoyed the ride and decided to go again after the initial rush. Then, after three weeks I went on the train again.
I was sitting in one of the aisle seats and after a few minutes, I had the feeling that someone was staring at me! I searched the compartment and didn’t find anyone. After sometime, I got the feeling again. Upon closer observation, I found that the people around me were busy and keeping to themselves. One person was texting, one was talking to someone in a language I didn’t know, and another person was scribbling on a paper with a pencil. There was a woman who was adjusting her child’s pram, a man was reading something on his tablet, a policeman was walking up and down the aisle doing his duty and there was a tourist poring over his map of Dubai. Many different people engaged in different activities.
After a few minutes, I felt that eerie feeling again. This time I didn’t bother to look around. I closed my eyes for a few minutes, and then I started to enjoy the view from the train. The train from Al Rashidiya reached the Mall of the Emirates, where I was supposed to get off. When the public reminder came through the intercom, I started to get ready. The train stopped at the station and as I was about to get down, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around quickly, and an elderly person extended a paper to me. He said: “Ma’am, this is for you.”
In a rush, I took it, got down and as the train moved along, I opened the paper and there was this wonderful pencil sketch of myself with closed eyes! I never got the opportunity to even thank the fellow passenger. Silly me!
From Ms Laxmi Menon
Sharjah
Cheap and convenient
Travelling on the Dubai Metro is always bliss to me. It always feels like within a matter of minutes, I am in the place where I want to visit. It’s a wonderful experience for me, and I sincerely thank the Dubai authorities for implementing the Metro system, as it’s cheaper and more convenient for people here.
From Ms Rida Fatima
Dubai
No more worries
I started using the Metro from the second day of its official opening, on September 10, 2009. Before that, it was horrible to travel after work: the bus was crowded, traffic was congested, and taxi fares were not affordable for daily use.
After the launch of the Metro, I was never worried about the cost, and I was confident that I would reach my destination without any delay. I really appreciate not worrying about reaching work on time, even through the busiest areas of the city. The Metro allows me to avoid all this mental torture I once had.
From Mr Shahzad
UAE
I love it!
It was only when the green line was made available in the Abu Bakr area that I felt the deeper appreciation for the Metro since it is just a stone’s throw away from my flat. Dubai’s metro has contributed to so much ease in my life while I’ve been living in Dubai.
Things I like most are how after work it always stops at the Deira City Centre (DCC) station and this is a big stress reliever. I’ve also enjoyed how during the holidays, it is always a walking exercise and a lot of fun to go from the Dubai Mall station to the mall itself. For visa applications, it is always a stop at the Healthcare City Station and a walk towards Wafi Mall. For my relatives visiting they can tour malls - stopping at Ibn Battuta, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and DCC.
I can’t imagine life without the Metro now. I think there should be a new design for NOL Cards to mark this fifth anniversary. I have so much gratitude towards all the people behind the five-year success of the metro.
My only request would be that I would like to see more strict compliance by men who are not allowed in the women and children designated cabins at specified times.
From Ms Ma Teresa Edpan
UAE
Changed Dubai life
The Dubai Metro is a superpower of Dubai life. It’s very cool, it’s smooth and it’s fast. I have been using it from day one when it started. It’s very accommodating and a reasonable cost for middle class families.
The Metro has changed Dubai life. I wanted to apply for a driver’s license, but I still have not applied because of the convenience of the Metro. I have been staying for the past 10 years in Dubai, and I have never felt any problem with transportation due to the Metro.
I am enjoying using it daily. I’ve always found that it is very beautiful, fast, clean and easy. I love the Dubai Metro.
From Mr Rajesh Chaturvedi
Dubai
Remarkable
The night of September 9, 2009 was a special one. It was not only the opening of a Metro that will span from one end of the city to another, but a tool that will augment connectivity and opportunities in the cities.
The Metro has been part of our daily life. People could not imagine working on the other side of the city without a car, but now the city seems much smaller. As a student, finishing those last projects with our friends and going out for visits has become much easier.
In a nutshell, the Dubai Metro has become a vital part of the lifestyle for almost all residents. Those stylish blue and white trains are just like icing on the cake, where Dubai’s architecture and design is concerned.
It was every person’s fascination to know more about the driverless system. The more we learnt, the better it got and it gave testimony to the fact that Dubai is truly developing as an international hub for tourism, innovation and technology. It’s a place where minds connect to make a beautiful future.
Now, with the tram construction in its final stages, we will have the best airports, the best metro, the best bus network and the most convenient taxis all in one small and wonderful city. The most remarkable fact is that this journey to conquer the minds of the world hasn’t been travelled alone. It has been a contribution of minds from all over the world, which truly defines the Expo 2020’s theme: ‘Connecting the minds, connecting the future’.
Living in Dubai is nothing short of a fairytale with something special every day, so we can just thrive to become better citizens and live the journey ahead in the most remarkable manner.
From Mr Shlok Misra
Dubai
Saving time
I give two thumbs up to this great initiative (‘‘Move cars aside or be fined,’ drivers in minor accidents warned,’ Gulf News, September 4). I believe it is very important since traffic jams can last hours, even if there are only minor incidents on the road. People love to slow down and see what went wrong.
I feel like some people need to realise that we can rely on the police being smart, educated and able to make the appropriate judgement call for these accidents. At the end of the day, it will help to ensure safety on the both sides of road, along with time efficiency for all.
From Mr Sanjay
Dubai
Website comment
Fighting hegemony
The UN needs a complete reform and a total structural overhaul (‘Limited peace in an orderless world,’ Gulf News, September 4). The most unfair body of the UN is the Security Council having five nations with veto power to the decisions of the council. Because of this illegitimate and unfair veto power, the Security Council is incapable of administering justice and maintaining a stable order and security in the world.
The United States is continuously misusing its veto rights to legitimise all the injustices of Israel. China and Russia are also using their veto rights to protect their vested interests. These permanent members of the Security Council were the victors of World War II. It’s why Germany and Japan don’t have permanent seats. They conveniently forgot to take into consideration the basic principles of absolute justice and its grave importance in order to maintain true international peace.
How can the world body ignore India? These powers will never accept a true change that goes against their present hegemony.
From Mr N. E. Haq
Dubai
Website comment
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