Seven more Dubai Metro stations set to open in April

The authority has also revised the opening of the 23-km-long Green Line which has 18 stations, a depot and a parking plaza for 3000 cars in Al Qusais

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 16:19 February 20, 2010

Dubai Metro train
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
  • With the opening of the new stations, the total number of operational stations will go up to 18.
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Dubai: The opening of the remaining stations on the Red Line and the Green Line of the Dubai Metro has been revised again, according to a top official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Seven more of the 18 stations still to be opened on the Red Line will be ready on April 25 while the rest of the stations will be opened in phases. Currently, only 11 out of a total of 29 stations on the Red Line are operational.

With the opening of the new stations, the total number of operational stations will go up to 18. The RTA did not give any time frame for the opening of the remaining 11 stations on the Red Line.

The authority has also revised the opening of the 23-km-long Green Line boasting 18 stations, a depot, and a parking complex for 3,000 cars in Al Qusais.

"The Green Line will now be operational in August 2011," Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA, said in statement issued yesterday.

Original schedule

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The Green Line was originally scheduled to open in March 2010 but the date was set back to October 2010 and now it has been rescheduled for opening in August 2011.

The contractor involved with the project had resumed work in the second week of February following marathon meetings with RTA officials to sort out a payment dispute, sources told Gulf News.

"The RTA will provide the biggest portion of cash injections out of its budget allocated by the Dubai Government to cover the cost of the remaining works on the Red and Green Lines," said Al Tayer.

The government has approved a Dh10.7-billion budget for the RTA this year.

"The remaining portion of additional works' cost will be funded through the project contractor who will be paid as per agreement reached," said Al Tayer.

He had earlier announced that the cost of the Dubai Metro project had jumped from the original contract of Dh15.5 billion to Dh28 billion due to extension of the Red and Green Lines, addition of depots owing to increased capacity, increase in number of pedestrian bridged linked with Metro stations and general improvement of areas around stations.

The stations will be linked with the public bus transport system and feeder buses to carry metro passengers in localities around the stations.


New stops: Wider network

Seven more stations will open on the Red Line on April 25, according to the RTA.

The new stations are:

  • Emirates Station
  • Airport Terminal 1 Station
  • GGICO Station (Al Garhoud)
  • Al Karama Station
  • World Trade Centre Station
  • Marina Station and
  • Ibn Battuta Station

The stations will be linked with the public bus transport system and feeder buses.

Comments (4)

  1. Added 16:44 February 21, 2010

    Another delay for Jebel Ali Free Zone station just adds to more frustration. Now there are no signs of it opening atleast for the next 5-6 months. The commuting crowd for JAFZ would be not less than 3 thousand everyday. That means full occupancy for Metro which would be a great success for it in addition to the revenue generated.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 15:02 February 21, 2010

    At last, I was glad to see the name of the karama station that will be functional from april 25th. I have been a resident of karama for the past 28 years and its some thing great that the metro has be situated very convienently near my apt which will make my commuting more easy and fun avoiding the traffic snarls. not to mention the parking nightmare in karama which gets worse day by day. Its worth giving it a try. Each time i pass by the station i used to think quite often as to why there is a lot of delay but now that the date answered my query and i just cant wait to get on it. I live in karama and work in quasis so taking the metro should solve the problem. I wanted to know the timings so that people like me who finish work at night can use the metro . I am sure this will be a blessing for many residents staying in Karama. Kudos.

    Mathew Litty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 14:39 February 21, 2010

    The Emirates Towers Metro station has been ready since a few days, atleast, it appears so, I wonder why they are not opening this station. Its close to my home and I've been looking forward to its opening. I will definitely use the metro more often if this station opens up.

    Anonymous, Dubai, Afghanistan

  4. Added 12:54 February 21, 2010

    we were expecting Dubai Media City & Jabel ali will be open. Disappointed with the outcome. By opening Dubai Media city & Jabel Ali Station minimum 3 to 4 thousand people would be using it. More revenue for Metro, Less cars on Shaikh Zayed Road. Instead they are opening for shopping malls ! A decision we could not understand. Wake up Metro- success of it depends on using it by Massess not by one time goers to shopping malls.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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