The Dubai Metro was launched one month ago by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We take a look at the first four weeks.
The RTA has made great strides in encouraging people to leave cars at home, reduce roadcongestion and use the public transport options. With the world's newest metro now up and running, the face of Dubai's society is set to change. Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
At present Dubai is a car-centric city. This is due to many factors, including affluence, the lack of taxation, cars being perceived as symbols of social status and the availability of finance even during the global financial crisis. Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
For a city such as Dubai, social strata are evident because of the affluence of its expatriates and Emirati population and the huge working class workforce that labour on the rapidly developing city's projects. Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
It will carry 1.8 million passengers per day when it is fully completed in 2020, according to Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) estimates.Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
When completed, it will be the world's longest automated driverless train system. Building the metro cost Dh28 billion, and it was launched in a record time of four years.Image Credit: Gulf News Archive The Metro is part of Shaikh Mohammads vision to develop an integrated transport system including the Metro, bus network, marine transport and an advanced road infrastructure.Image Credit: Gulf News Archive With its launch, Dubai has become the first Gulf state to have a metro and joined the league of megacities around the world that have similar transport systems.Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Opened one month ago, on 09/09/09, the Dubai Metro was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who bought the very first ticket at 9.09pm.Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
