Source: www.ameinfo.com
The Dubai Metro Red Line resulted in a quality shift in the integration of mass transit modes in the Emirate as it formed the initial phase of a project considered the first of its kind across the region. This line proved to be absolutely important in inspiring the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) personnel to vigorously proceed ahead with the completion of the second phase of the project represented by the Green Line.
“The Dubai Metro Green Line covers the main business district of the Emirate and is poised to bring about a substantial integration of mass transit modes as three key metro stations on this line (Etisalat, Al Ghubaiba and Abu Hail) are being fitted with parking spaces for vehicles and public buses; offering metro riders highly comfortable services and easy access to their intended destinations,” said Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA Rail Agency.
“The Green Line runs over a 23 km-long track that comprises 12 elevated stations and 8 underground stations; including the Union and Khalid bin Al Waleed Stations; which are the interchanging stations with the Red Line; enabling passengers a smooth transfer between the Red and Green Lines,” he said.
“During the planning for the Metro Green Line, we worked with the dedicated work team comprising competent engineers of the Rail Agency towards developing an accurate and smooth mechanism for passenger transfer between the Green Line and Red Line platforms through providing them with all possible means ensuring their smooth mobility such as escalators and lifts. There will also be display monitors in the two stations to explain trains traffic in order to ensure a streamlined transfer to the intended destinations. Likewise the Red Line, the Green Line is being fitted with footbridges to ease passenger movement in all overhead stations such that train commuters can easily move between the bus stops and taxi ranks at both sides of roads,” continued Al Hammadi.
Commenting on the selection of Etisalat, Al Ghubaiba and Abu Hail stations to act as pivotal points in offering integrated mass transit modes, Al Hammadi said: “These three stations have been selected from the Green Line stations as they feature distinctive geographic locations that serve some vital areas in Dubai. Being located at Al Qusais, Etisalat Station is one of the key stations on the Green Line as it serves passengers hailing from the northern parts and we were keen on providing a parking space to accommodate about 2300 vehicles for the time being with a capacity to raise the parking space to 6000 vehicles. The Park-and-Ride Terminal was also linked with the Bus Terminal by means of air-conditioned bridges as we were keen on addressing the climatic conditions of the country during summer and the need to have integrated stations in all respects.”
“The other station, Abu Hail Station, is located at Hor Al Anz and features a modern structure that contributes to linking the bus station with the metro station through air-conditioned bridges. Similarly, Al Ghubaiba Station; which is an underground station, is a key integration point of mass transit means as is linked with the bus terminal in the area as well as the marine transit station at the Creek side,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks Al Hammadi said: “The Dubai Metro Green Line Stations in general, particularly the above three stations which are crucial to the integration of mass transit means, are set to attract wide public turn out to the metro; making it the ideal mobility means, thus the Green Line is set to be instrumental to serving various destinations intended by both residents and visitors of Dubai.”
