1 billion riders used Dubai Metro in 8 years

The Dubai Metro has broken the one billion passenger barrier, a top official of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, announced.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that the Dubai Metro, comprising the Red and Green lines, transported 1.028 billion passengers, since the launch of the service on 9th September 2009 until the end of August 2017. Some 689 million commuters were carried by the Red Line, and 339 million were served by the Green Line. This milestone coincided with RTA’s celebration of the eighth anniversary of the Metro operation today, amid huge success indicators in terms of operational efficiency, as well as high security and safety levels.

"The positive indicators of the growing number of metro commuters underscores the strategic dimension of the vision of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the solid conviction of His Highness in the vital role of the metro system in addressing the needs of the urbanisation growth seen by Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed has envisioned the metro as the backbone of a transport system that links vital parts of Dubai, and provides a safe and smooth transport for people.

"During various milestones of the metro project, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council, were keen to follow the work progress of the Dubai Metro project. They were the first to attend the several construction works and the milestones achieved," Al Tayer stressed.

"The Dubai Metro, which extends for 75km, has an array of features that give it a unique standing worldwide. It is the longest driverless metro line across the world. Its Union Station is considered the world’s biggest underground metro station, spanning an area of 25,000 square metres. Burjuman Station is widely known as one of the most gorgeous metro stations in the world.

"The RTA is moving ahead with its ambitious plan to revamp mass transit systems and raise the share of public transport in the people’s mobility to as much as 30 percent by 2030. This rate reached 16 percent in 2016, and it will rise to 24 percent if we add taxis. Moreover, there is a remarkable evolution in the culture of the community and its perception of public transport. The metro has provided several benefits to the community, such as the psychological and physical relief associated with smooth mobility, and the reduced expenditure on car fuel and maintenance," Al Tayer noted.

Al Tayer commended the efforts of RTA’s strategic partners, who have contributed to the successful operation of the Dubai Metro.