Dubai Metro

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Dubai Metro مترو دبي

Locale	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Transit type	Rapid transit
System length	166 kilometers
Number of lines	4
Number of stations	57
Track gauge	1435 mm
Operator(s)	Serco/Roads & Transport Authority

Map of Dubai Metro lines

The Dubai Metro (In Arabic: مترو دبي) is a driverless, fully automated metro network which is under construction in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai. The Red and Green lines are under construction, and further lines are planned. The first two lines will run underground in the city centre and on elevated viaducts elsewhere.^[1] The Dubai Metro will be the longest fully automated rail system in the world when it opens in 2009.

1 Construction
2 Dubai Metro network
- 2.1 Under construction
- 2.2 Proposed
3 List of stations
4 Trains
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Construction

Planning of the Dubai Metro began under the directive of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who expected other projects to attract 15 million visitors to Dubai by 2010. The combination of a rapidly-growing population (expected to reach 3 million by 2017) and severe traffic congestion necessitated the building of an urban rail system to provide additional public transportation capacity, relieve motor traffic, and provide infrastructure for additional development.

In May 2005 a AED12.45bn design and build contract was awarded to the Dubai Rail Link (DURL) consortium made up of Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi.^[2] The first phase (worth AED 15.5 billion/US$4.2 billion) covers 35 kilometres (22 mi) of the proposed network, including the Red Line between Salahuddin Road and the American University in Dubai and the Green Line from the Qussais 2 to Jeddaf 1. This is to be completed by May 2009. A second phase contract was subsequently signed in July 2006 and includes extensions to the initial routes.

Work officially commenced on the construction of the metro on March 21 2006.^[3]

[edit] Dubai Metro network

When completed, Dubai Metro will have a total of 70 kilometres (43 mi) of lines, and 47 stations (including 9 underground stations).^[4] Two lines are under construction, and two more are planned.

[edit] Under construction

Red Line viaduct in November 2007

Red Line: 50 kilometres (31 mi) line with 35 stations from Jebel Ali Port, the American University in Dubai, through the city centre, and to the Airport Free Zone.
Green Line: 20 kilometres (12 mi) line with 22 stations from Festival City, through the city centre, Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and to Rashidiya.

[edit] Proposed

Blue Line: 47 kilometres (29 mi) line along Emirates Road, exact route currently unknown. ^[5]
Purple Line: 49 kilometres (30 mi) line along Al Khail Road, meant to be an express route between Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport (formerly Dubai World Central International Airport.^[6]

The Dubai Metro will be operated by Serco under contract to the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority.^[7] Dubai Municipality Public Transport Department expects the metro to carry 1.2 million passengers on an average day, 27,000 passengers per hour for each line, and 355 million passengers per year once both lines are fully operational. It is estimated that it will comprise 12 % of the total trips in Dubai. Bus routes and stops will be organised around the backbone provided by the metro system. Taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities will be included in key Metro stations.

[edit] List of stations

Jebel Ali Free Zone Station in early January 2008

Dubai Metro stations will be designed along the theme water and sea life, e.g. the sea shell form is preferred for its total impression, smooth roofs and a seeming light construction. Also, trains are painted this way, light blue is dominating.

Red Line:
- Jebel Ali Port Station
- Stations 2 - 5
- American University in Dubai
- Internet City Station
- Stations 8 and 9
- Souk al Nakheel Station
- Stations 11 - 17
- Burj Dubai Station
- Financial City Station
- Emirates Towers Station
- Trade Center Station
- Stations 22 - 24
- BurJuman Station
- Station 26
- al-Ittihad Square Station
- Salahuddin Station
- Stations 29 - 34
- Airport Free Zone Station
Green Line:
- Festival City Station
- Stations 2 and 3
- Health Care City Station
- Stations 5 - 7
- BurJuman Station
- Stations 9 - 13
- al-Ittihad Square Station
- Stations 15 - 16
- Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 Station
- Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Station
- Station 21
- Rashidiya Station

[edit] Trains

Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo is building a total of 87 five-car trains for the Red and Green lines.^[8] They are designed to carry 643 seated and standing passengers, and unusually for a mass transit system, the trains will have three classes of accommodation: Gold Class, Women and Childrens Class, and Silver Class.^[9] The first train was delivered to Dubai in March 2008.^[8] The metro will have driverless operation and use third rail current collection. Trained wardens will accompany passengers to help with emergencies.^[10]