Dubai Metro celebrates fifth anniversary

The Dubai Metro tomorrow celebrates its fifth anniversary amid healthy indicators of success in its operational efficiency judged by compliance with trip timetables, world-class safety standards, and the number of riders recorded, which is about 500 million since the service launched up until the end of August this year.
On September 9th, 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, opened the Red Line of Dubai Metro, which stretches over 52 km and covers 29 stations. Two years after the start of operations, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed launched the Dubai Metro Green Line, which spans 23 km linking 18 stations. The Red and Green lines converge at two transfer stations, Al Ittihad, and Burjuman.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive-Director of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, said, "This huge achievement goes beyond the realms of the emirate to cover the entire world, as it reflects positively on the image of Dubai as a distinctive metropolis and a hub for business and advanced living styles. The Dubai Metro has added a new beautiful dimension to the landmarks and towering achievements of Dubai, particularly as it uses the latest technology of the rail industry and is considered the longest driverless metro line worldwide.
"The Dubai Metro project is the brainchild of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, to provide a world-class infrastructure, and render Dubai a global financial and business hub. The idea reflects His Highness's firm belief in the importance of the metro system in achieving and providing the requirements of the urban growth witnessed by the city. Sheikh Mohammed has envisaged the metro as the backbone of the transport system that connects various vital areas in the emirate, and provides easy and safe mobility for passengers," said Al Tayer, adding that His Highness had directed the establishment of a world-class, luxurious transport facility.
"Sheikh Mohammed's vision included developing a comprehensive infrastructure of roads and transportation networks and systems that encompass railways, public buses, and marine transit, that uses the latest traffic technologies, with the objective of providing an integrated transit system that keeps pace with the increasing development drive witnessed by the emirate, and responds to its future ambitions.
"The metro system is seen as a true manifestation of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, particularly the infrastructure and environment plan of providing smooth mobility, improving safety levels, and making mass transit systems the ideal mobility choice. The Dubai Metro adds to the city's achievements," he continued.
The RTA Chairman praised the strategic partners whose efforts were an integral part of the success of the RTA in the operation of the Dubai Metro, and at the top of these comes the General HQ of the Dubai Police as represented by the General Department of Transport and Rescue, and Serco company, which is responsible for the metro's operation. Mr. Al Tayer also commended the Dubai Metro passengers, who made the metro their first choice of mobility between various districts of Dubai, for their compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the metro and maintaining the facilities of the project. Over these five years, no single incident has been reported about breaching the code or vandalising the facilities of the project. He also hailed the efforts of RTA employees, especially the Rail Agency staff, for their immense efforts in monitoring and following up the metro operation.
Al Tayer was delighted with the positive indicators depicting growth in the number of metro riders, which he says proves that the RTA's plan for increasing public transport usage is moving in the right direction. Indictors also reflect an evolution in people's perception and the culture of the community towards public transit means. People have started to feel and experience the benefits of public transport systems, including the psychological and physical comfort associated with hassle-free mobility and reduced outlays of fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Al Tayer confirmed that the RTA is edging closer to the set target of raising the share of public transport in the mobility of people to as much as 30% of the total number of trips by 2030, as it reached 13% in 2013.
He went on to conclude, "The massive investments injected by the Dubai Government in upgrading the infrastructure of the public transport sector has proved both feasible and effective in bolstering the economic development witnessed by the Emirate of Dubai under the prudent leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It also acted as a catalyst to reviving the business process, boosting tourist activities, and offering safe and smooth transit systems capable of facilitating the mobility, propping up the economy and raising the competitive edge of Dubai in hosting international events such as conferences, sports events, and horse races among others, highlighted by Dubai's successful bidding to host Expo 2020. Investment on public transport will also result in conserving the environment, slashing the financial impact of traffic congestions, and shifting the demand for mobility services from private vehicles to public transit means."