Ibrahim Haj Hamad www.khaleejtimes.com
DUBAI — More than a million passengers have so far travelled in Dubai Metro, according to a Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official.
The authority said that until September 25, 1,018,030 passengers had used Dubai Metro and on Saturday alone 52,000 people travelled.
During Eid, which marked the highest number of passengers per day aboard the Metro at any given time, the majority of passengers were visitors from other emirates as well as foreign tourists.
During the Eid holidays from September 20 to 22, 266,671 passengers rode the Metro.
Peyman Younes Parham, director of RTA’s Marketing and Corporate Communication Department, said joy-riders were still considered to be the highest number of passengers on the Metro.
“The Metro has exceeded our expectations,” Parham said.
“We are extremely happy with the number of passengers and more educational campaigns to teach passengers proper usage of the Metro will be organised soon.”
He said Mall of the Emirates Station topped the list by serving 192,585 passengers followed by Rashidiya Station with 147,741 passengers and Khalid bin Al Waleed Station serving 138,720 passengers.
Nakheel Harbour and Tower handled 122,997 passengers, Al Ittihad Station 108,467, Deira City Center 99,871, Financial Center Station 70,973, Rigga Station 62,621, Jafliya Station 41,674 passengers, and Airport T-3 Station ranked lowest with 32,381 passengers.
Parham appealed to Dubai Metro users to be considerate, avoid rushing to get on board the train, and carefully read the instructions and tips prepared by Rail Agency specialists.
He said passengers should not crowd in front of the Metro doors, as it was the main reason for slowing down passengers from alighting and boarding the train.