Source: www.constructionweekonline.com
Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened three new stations on its Metro Service, catering for up to 14,000 extra commuters in the city daily.
The stations, Noor Islamic (Al Quoz), Dubai World Trade Centre (both on Sheikh Zayed Road) and GGICO (Al Garhoud), join the 18 Red Line stations already open – with the remaining eight due for completion by the end of the year.
The three stations serve key areas of the city: Noor Islamic in Al Quoz is the first station to open between the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, making it perfectly placed to service the areas car showrooms, shopping centres and residential areas of Jemeirah and Umm Sequim.
The Dubai World Trade Centre station is designed to cater for huge numbers of commuters and visitors. The DWTC attracts 1.5 million people to its exhibits and conventions, and is also the closest station for Satwa and Zabeel residents.
Al Garhoud is also expected to draw huge numbers. With Emirates Aviation College and a large number of businesses located within a short distance, as well as the Dubai Yacht Club, Aviation Club and tennis stadium, plus a busy residential area, Al Garhoud is likely to become one of the city’s busiest stations.
Since opening in April, popularity of the Metro service has continued to grow. Average daily commuter numbers burst through 100,000 within a week of opening, and the RTA expects that to hit 140,000 very soon.
The RTA has added 11 extra trains to the system to cope with demand and reduced average waiting time, while the authority has also beefed up its support network of bus routes.
