Dubai: A new batch of trains with greater capacity will join Dubai Metro operations over the next year; the first train arrived in the emirate earlier this month.
With new interior design elements and seat configurations, the batch of 50 trains will arrive in phases with 15 of the locomotives joining the new Route 2020, which is currently under construction. Thirty-five trains will operate on the existing Red and Green lines.
On Saturday, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced that the first of the new batch of Dubai Metro trains has arrived and has been transported to the Metro Depot at Rashidiya.
The manufacturer will continue dispatching the remaining trains in batches, and the last one is expected to arrive by the end of October 2019, he said.
“RTA will carry the test-run of the first train destined for Route 2020 on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro. It will start with the static tests of all operating systems of the train.
"In the following stage, RTA will embark on dynamic tests, which involve testing the performance of systems while in motion, such as motors, brakes and control systems,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer noted that the additional trains on the Red and Green lines will help improve the service and add to the existing capacity.
He added that the new trains come with several enhancements to the interior design of the carriages to make more room for riders and increase the intake of carriages.
Changes include dedicating the last carriage for women and children and leaving part of the first carriage for the gold class. Other carriages will be for silver class riders.
Seat distribution in the new trains will be transversal in the gold class, and longitudinal in the silver class as well as in the women and children’s carriage.
“This new configuration of seats will increase the capacity of each train from 643 riders to 696 riders,” said Al Tayer.
Additional enhancements include revamping the designs of handles and lighting, using cutting-edge digital signage, and an illuminated dynamic map for the metro route and stations.
The trains will have LED power-saving lighting system and a modified luggage compartment to make it usable for standing commuters.
Improvements also include the distribution of seats on both sides of the train and widening the gangway between carriages.
“The new carriages are customised to serve people of determination and ensures smooth boarding and alighting of all riders. The exterior design of trains will remain unchanged to maintain the design identity of Dubai metro and its familiar colours,” said Al Tayer.
