Dubai: Construction on the Al Sufouh tram network will start in January to provide alternate mode of transportation in the fast growing area and to ease traffic congestion, said a senior official.
"The 15-km tram lines will run on Al Sufouh Road connecting Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Jumeirah Lake Towers," said Engineer Abdul Majid Khaja, Chief Executive Officer of the Rail Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Al Khaja said the tram project would be completed within 21 months and would be operational in September 2009 with the completion of the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, which runs along Shaikh Zayed Road.
"The tram will be connected to the Red Line at three points including Burj Al Arab Station, Dubai Marina Station and Ibn Battuta Mall Station to facilitate commuters reach metro stations," he revealed.
The tram will serve areas such as Internet city, Dubai Marina, Media City, Knowledge Village, JBR and a dozens of luxury hotels in the area, which have already started facing traffic congestion.
"More than half a million people in the area are expected to benefit from the tram project, which is part of the RTA's plan to provide integrated mass transit facilities connecting trams, buses, metro and water transport projects.
The first phase of the tram project is also nicknamed 'The Shopping Trolley' as it will provide a link to major shopping areas including Mall of Emirates, Madinat Jumeirah and Ibn Battuta Mall.
"There will be a total of 270 km of tram network in Dubai in both old and new areas to feed the metro stations in addition to providing alternate modes of transport in different areas," said Al Khaja. The RTA will spend some Dh 9.19 billion on different phases of the tram project.
There will be around 19 stations planned for the tram route subject to change. Al Sufouh Tram network will also connect to the Jumeirah Palm Mono Rail project in future.
"People, who will use Dubai Metro favour a complete journey experience. Tram system and public buses are answer to their concerns as they will all be integrated to complete journey from one point to another without the need of using a private car," he noted.
There will two tracks for the tram and its average speed will be 25km per hour. Unlike Dubai Metro, trams will be driven by drivers because it mingles with vehicular traffic on the road.
The RTA is already working to improve the road network in the Al Sufouh area. According to the RTA studies, around 110,000 people are expected to reside in Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences and some 150,000 people will live in Jumeirah Lake Towers area.
Around 100,000 people are expected to come for work in the area, which also includes Dubai Media City, the Internet City and the Knowledge Village.
Future plans: Extension to Union House
Al Sufouh Tram Project is likely to be extended on Jumeirah Road upto the Union House in future.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is, currently, studying the options of extending the tram network to other areas including Jumeirah Road.
The tram network will be linked to the nearest station of the Metro line. "The tram project will encourage people in these posh areas to use alternate mode of transport instead of personal cars," an RTA official said.
Your comments
Very good idea. Well done RTA. Keep it up and best of luck
From Ahmed
Doha
Qatar
Posted: November 27, 2007, 13:08
Excellent idea. I would definitely use the tram to connect with the metro station for my daily commute to Alqussais. Thank you RTA and the government of Dubai.
Karim
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 11:21
Is any connectivity through rail/tram planned for Dubai Investment Park at Jebal Ali?
Darius
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 10:41
The metro project is a dream come true. I am sure many will benefit from it. We just need to have patience with the RTA at this initial stage. The RTA is making excellent progress. I congratulate them on their innovative idea of connecting trams to trains. Bravo!
Abu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 07:13
