By Ashfaq Ahmed, Deputy UAE Editor www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: The Green Line of the Dubai Metro project, set to open in September, will provide easy access to a number of government offices, health care facilities and commercial business district areas of Dubai.
“The route of the Green Line was designed as part of a master plan intended to enhance the integration of mass transit modes and to expand public transport reach to major residential, trading and business districts as well as cultural, sports and health facilities,” said Adnan Al Hammadi, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
According to the RTA, the Green Line is scheduled to open in September but the exact date will be announced in August. “The Line and the stations are fully ready and the test run of trains is being done successfully,” said Al Hammadi.
The 23km-long Green Line from Al Ghusais near Emirates Road to Al Jaddaf (near Business Bay Crossing) passing through the congested Central Business District (CBD) areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. It will link with the Red Line at Khalid Bin Al Waleed and Union Stations, allowing passengers to change trains.
Transfer stations
The Green Line has 18 stations — 12 elevated and six underground. Union Square and Khalid Bin Al Waleed underground stations are transfer stations where the Green and Red Lines cross. Once the Green Line opens, these stations will allow passengers to change trains.
“The Green Line is expected to give big boost to the public transport system in Dubai as it links the old and modern districts,” he said. “The line starts from Etisalat Station in Al Ghusais, which is the first station for passengers coming from Sharjah and other neighbouring emirates. This station also has multi-level Park-and-Ride terminal with capacity for more than 2,700 vehicles and a bus station.
The Green Line passes through some vital locations. Al Nahdah Station serves the densely populated residential areas in addition to sports and commercial points such as Al Ahli Club, Lulu Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Al Ittihad Coop Society, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works and the Customer Service Centre of Dubai Municipality in Al Twar.
Al Qiyadah Station serves Dubai Police General Headquarters building and Al Mulla Plaza and access to Sharjah and Al Mamzar areas.
Abu Bakr Al Seddiqi Station serves mostly commercial areas such as retail outlets for building materials, hotels, Hamarain and Warba Centres and Al Muraqqabat Police Station
Salah Al Deen Station in the Central Business District (CBD) is in close proximity to Al Ghurair Centre and Al Reef Mall in addition to a number of hotels. More info
