 The Dubai metro project was born in October 2005 and will be the world's largest metro railway system. The Dh15.5 billion (£2 billion approx ) project commenced following a feasibility study undertaken which determined that Dubai can no longer rely on its current road and waterway transport system and with the huge infrastructure being put in place to support the Emirate 2015 plan, a new transport system was required.
Previously no railway system was present in Dubai and the UAE.
Initially 2 lines were planned but now extend to four lines Red, Green, Blue and Purple lines
The total length of the Dubai metro system is estimated to be 318km by 2020.
It is estimated that 9,000 men are working on the construction
The metro system will be a driverless automatic system and will be controlled with the some of the most advanced technology from the Operation Control Centre.
Car parking facility will be provided to metro users on the concept of "park and ride".
A total of 87 trains comprising five carriages each will be run along the Red and Green Lines.
The Tunnel will be dug out using a specially built machine the Boring Machine called Al Wugeisha has been designed and assembled in Japan especially for the Dubai Metro. It has a diameter of 9.56 metres. It is 82 metres long and weighs about 1,000 tonnes
The interior of the trains will be based on a water and air theme and every train will have five compartments. Every train will have three classes – The Golden Class (VIP), the Women and Children's Class and the Silver Class (economy).
The Golden Class will have a luxurious interior with leather seating.
The Women and Children's Class which will specifically designed for ease for moms and toddlers
The Silver Class has been finished in a combination of blues and greens. Seating is arranged in a variety of ways giving passengers the choice between admiring views through windows or chatting with friends.
The compartments will be equipped with audio visual devices. Visual and audio announcement facilities will be available to serve people, especially those with special needs.
Clear signage will show the route map of the metro and other directions for passengers. A variety of safety devices including closed circuit television in all trains will ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all.
The average train speed will be 110 km per hour. With a 658 person capacity in the five carriages
The frequency of metro services will be 3 minutes and 45 seconds and 7 minutes during off peak periods
Completion: The Metro is scheduled to partially open by September 2009 and be fully completed by 2012.
The red Line ------------------ This is the first line under construction
Travelling from Jebel Ali Port and Al Rashidiya total travel time will be 71 minutes from end to end, this route will take in the tourist areas of Jumeriah
It will have 29 stations including 24 elevated, four underground and one at ground level the line is 52.1 km long which includes 4.7km underground with 38 trains running in both directions at peak times. It is predicted that the Red Line will carry 11,000 passengers per hour by 2009
Progress -all elevated stations are nearly complete (Feb 2008), underground stations will be completed early 2009
Already proposed extension to the red line is currently under design. It will be extended from Jebel Ali Free Zone to Dubai-Abu Dhabi border, an additional 12 km.
The Green Line --------------- Second Line now being constructed
Will have 18 stations including 12 elevated and 6 underground, the line is 22.5km which includes 7.9km underground and due for completion in March 2010
Extension plans on the Green Line have already been approved and it has already been extended by about 4.9 km from Healthcare City to Al Jaddaf. The Green Line was initially designed for 17.6 km, but now it is 22.5-km long
There will be two transfer stations — Union Square and the BurJuman Centre. At the transfer stations, Green and Red Lines will cross each other and passengers will be able to change between lines
The Blue Line ------------ Third Line
Will run for 47 kilometres along the Emirates road, exact route still being planned.
Purple Line --------------- Fourth line
Will be the express route between the 2 airports and will run for approx 49 kilometres between Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Airport the new airport development at Jebel Ali
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