Dubai- The Metro Train

Dubai inaugurated its metro network in September 2009, becoming the first urban metro network in the Gulf's Arab states. It is hoped that the system will ease the daily commute for thousands of the emirate's workers.

With an economy increasingly based upon financial services, air transport, property development and tourism, Dubai has a rapidly growing population and severe traffic congestion problems. The population is forecast to increase by 6.4% annually, rising to three million by 2017. Tourist numbers are projected to reach 15 million in 2010.
Dubai Municipality identified the need for a rail system to relieve growing motor traffic and support continuing urban development based on studies that began in 1997. Systra was awarded the preliminary engineering contract, and Dubai Rail Link (DURL), a consortium of four companies headed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), is leading the project to build the first two lines of the high-tech driverless rapid transit system. The other consortium members are the Japanese Obayashi and Kajima corporations, and Yapi Merkesi of Turkey.
The metro will be fully integrated within the network operated by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), a body created in 2005. Routes will be organised around the backbone provided by the rail system.

"The Red Line is the only route that has been completed so far. A second, the Green Line, is under construction, and three more are planned."

Around 1.74 million passengers used the metro in its first month, according to the statistics released by the RTA. The average number of passengers travelling on the Red Line has been estimated at 57,000 per day.
The Red Line is the only route that has been completed so far. A second, the Green Line, is under construction and a further three are planned. The intention is for 320km of metro lines in place in Dubai by 2020.
DURL officials are also in the process of negotiations with major local and international companies for acquiring brand naming rights – in other words, advertisement rights – for the 23 stations on Red and Green lines.

System:
City population
1,492,000 (2006), forecast 5.25 million by 2020
Developer / operator
Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
Date opening
Red Line: 2010
Green Line: August 2011
Purple Line: 2012
Blue Line: 2014
Total planned system length
320km by 2020
Gauge
1,435mm
Lines
Red Line: 52km
Green Line: 17.6km
Purple Line: 49km
Blue Line: 47km
Design speed (max.)
90km/h
Stations
Red: 29
Green: 18 (+2 Red Line interchanges)
Operating hours
Sat-Thurs: 6am to 11pm; Fri: 2pm to Midnight
Estimated investment
$4.2bn
Rolling Stock:
Number of trains required
87 (Red Line: 62 five-car sets, Green Line 25 three-car sets)
Builder
Kinki Sharyo
Power System:
Power supply
750VDC third rail

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