Watch Sheikh Mohammed’s surprise visit on the Dubai Tram

Dubai: Some Dubai Metro and Tram commuters were treated to a surprise sighting recently, as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, paid a visit to one of the city’s Tram stations.

A video shared by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) showed Sheikh Mohammed standing on the Tram platform and engaging with officials. The visit formed part of his ongoing efforts to personally oversee the development and operational progress of Dubai’s public transport systems.

Several residents managed to catch a glimpse of the Dubai Ruler during his journey, with photos and videos of the encounter circulating across social media.

Since its launch in 2014, the Dubai Tram has transported more than 60 million riders. The 42 minute route connects Al Sufouh Station to Jumeirah Lakes Towers Station, serving 11 stations along Al Sufouh Road. It links key districts including Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), and Dubai Marina and is fully integrated with the Dubai Metro system.

In 2024, the RTA announced that it is exploring the introduction of a trackless tram system in eight locations across Dubai. This proposed mode of transport would be self-driving, electric-powered, and rail-free instead guided by camera-based lane tracking technology that follows a virtual path.

This isn’t the first time Sheikh Mohammed has opted for public transport. Known for his hands-on approach to leadership and quality assurance, he was seen riding the Dubai Metro in 2023 as well. In fact, in 2020, he officially inaugurated the Route 2020 extension, a key line connecting the city directly to the Expo 2020 site.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, also took the Metro back in 2020 to mark its 11th anniversary, sharing his journey online and highlighting the importance of sustainable urban mobility.

Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohammed laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro’s upcoming Blue Line, a transformative project aimed at enhancing connectivity across the city. Once complete, the Blue Line will include the world’s highest metro station, a notable milestone in Dubai’s ongoing transport expansion.

Spanning 30 kilometres, the Dubai Metro Blue Line will comprise 14 stations, with 15.5 kilometres of track running underground and 14.5 kilometres above ground. It will also feature key interchange points with the existing Red and Green Lines. According to the RTA, the Blue Line is expected to be operational by 2029.