United Arab Emirates: Dubai Metro

The Dubai Metro system is a key component of the government’s response to the transport needs of a population expected to reach 5.25 million by 2020. In its first phase, the network comprises two lines, both standard gauge and fully automated:

• Red Line (52.1 km), from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali, serving 29 stations (four underground). Most of the alignment is elevated but a 4.7 km tunnel section enables the line to pass under Dubai Creek and a further 3.3 km is at grade.
• Green Line (22.5 km), from Al Qusais and Dubai Airport to the Al Jadaff business district, serving 18 stations (12 elevated, six underground), including two interchanges with the Red Line. A 7.9 km section also runs underground beneath Dubai Creek; the remainder of the alignment is elevated.

Construction of both lines has been undertaken by the Mitsubishi-led Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) consortium at an estimated cost of AED28 billion (USD7.63 billion), some 80% more than initially predicted. System design was undertaken by a joint venture of Systra and Parsons Brinckerhof.

Rolling stock comprises 79 5-car trainsets supplied by Kinki Sharyo of Japan. Train control for fully automated operation is supplied by Alcatel-Lucent. Power supply is 750 V DC third rail. The principal Red Line depot and control centre is located at Rashidiya, with a supplementary facility at Jebel Ali. The Green Line is served by a depot at Al Qusais.

All stations feature platform screen doors for passenger safety and facilitating full air conditioning. A unified intermodal ticketing system has been adopted.

RTA has developed plans for further expansion of the network. The lines projected are:

• Purple Line (49 km), running parallel to the Red Line on the south, along Al Khail Road, and acting as a link between Dubai’s existing airport and the new DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport at Jebel Ali, as well as serving as a commuter line. There would be four intermediate stations.
• Blue Line (47 km), running between the Red Line and the Purple Line along Emirates Road.
• Red Line extension to the border with Abu Dhabi. (12 km).
• Green Line extension from Etisalat to Dubai Lagoons (20 km).

The body responsible for the network is Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

Status

Contracts for the Red Line and Green Line were awarded to DURL in May 2005 and July 2006 respectively. The Red Line opened in September 2009, although only 10 of the route’s 29 stations were then being served; the remainder opened in subsequent stages.

The first phase of the Green Line, Etisalat-Healthcare City (17.6 km, 16 stations), was commissioned in September 2011. The remaining section from Healthcare City to Dubai Creek has been completed but is unused pending property development along its route.

In April 2008 a 5-year contract to operate and maintain the system plus a 2ó-year planning period was signed by Serco. There is an option to extend the contract by five years.

A go-ahead for the Purple Line was given in May 2007 and civils works began in 2009. Its cost has been estimated at USD2.7 billion. It had been planned to commission the line in 2012 but this has been delayed by the slowdown in property development in Dubai.

Key agencies: Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (www.rta.ae)