Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, said Dubai’s transport infrastructure features the highest international safety standards and operational efficiency, with the metro serving as the backbone of the public transport system in the emirate, connecting various vital areas.

 

The project forms part of efforts to maintain Dubai’s position as one of the world’s fastest growing and most developed cities by implementing quality projects that cater to the mobility needs created by rapid urban expansion, stated Sheikh Hamdan during an inspection tour of Dubai Metro Route 2020.

 

"The Metro has transformed the way Dubai’s population travels within the city and plays a key role in supporting the city’s sustainable economic development, reducing carbon emissions and helping enhance people’s living standards," he added.

 

By providing a convenient and viable means of mass transport, Dubai Metro has also had a positive impact on the economy. 

 

"Since its launch in September 2009, the Dubai Metro has served approximately 1.56 billion riders across 2.6 million journeys. With an on-time departure rate of 99.7 per cent, the Dubai Metro ranks among the world’s top mass transit systems," he said.

 

On his arrival at the Jebel Ali Metro Station, which serves as an interchange station between the Red Line and Route 2020, Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority. 

 

Jebel Ali Metro Station, which spans 8,800 sq m and extends 150 metres in length, can serve 17,000 riders per hour during peak times and 320,000 riders per day. 

 

The station features four boarding platforms, four bus stops, 17 taxi stands and seven parking slots for People of Determination. It also has eight outlets for commercial use spanning 388 sq m.

 

He was then briefed about the Route 2020 Project, which extends 15 km (11.8 km elevated track and 3.2 km underground track) and links seven stations. It features one Interchange station with the Red Line, one iconic station at Expo 2020 site, three elevated stations and two underground stations.

 

The route serves communities such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and the Expo 2020 site, which have a combined population of about 270,000.

 

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan and his entourage boarded the new Dubai Metro train featuring a revamped interior design. Their first stop was the Dubai Investment Park Station, the second underground station of Route 2020. The underground station spans 27,000 square metres in area and extends 226 metres in length.

 

He later toured the station, which can serve 13,899 riders per hour during peak times and 250,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four Bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers eight retail units spanning 315 sq m each for commercial investment.

 

The train then headed to the Expo 2020 Station, which boasts a unique design featuring the wings of an aircraft. Sheikh Hamdan and his entourage toured the station, which spans 18,800 square metres in area and extends 119 metres in length. 

 

The station can serve 29,000 riders per hour during peak times and 522,000 riders per day. 

 

The station has three platforms, six bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and four designated parking slots for People of Determination. It also offers nine retail units of 264 square metres for commercial investment.

 

The station has eight ticket vending machines for buying and topping up Nol cards. It is linked on the eastern side with the Expo exhibition and Expo COEX, and on the western side with the EXPO Mall and urban complex. The station design enables its integration with public transport means with spaces for buses and taxi stands.-TradeArabia News Service