Dubai’s deputy ruler has said he expects the city’s new $4.2bn metro system to be a big draw for tourists.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum expressed his satisfaction with progress on the development of the transport system during an inspection on Monday.
He told officials that, when completed, the Dubai Metro would “attract more holidaymakers to the UAE, giving a big boost to internal tourism and energising and diversifying local economy”, according to a report by news agency WAM.
Sheikh Maktoum took the metro in a tour through a number of stations where he was updated by Matter Al Tayer, chairman and executive director of the Roads and Transport Authority.
Expressing his satisfaction of what has been achieved so far, Sheikh Maktoum said the project would be “one of the major flagship civilsational and tourist landmarks in the country”.
The cost of travelling on the new Dubai Metro, which launches in September, will range between AED1.80 and AED6.50, transport chiefs announced last month.
The cost in Dubai compares well to single ticket costs around 1.60 euros (AED8) for the Paris Metro and GBP4 (AED24) for an adult single zone ticket on the London Underground.
The Metro system in Dubai will be split into five zones and park and ride facilities will be available to the stations free of charge.
The Dubai Metro’s 52km red line, running from Jebel Ali to Rashidiya, is scheduled to open on September 9 while the green line is due to come on line in March 2010.
The 23.9 km track will start in Al Qusais, running around Dubai creek, and stretch to Jedaff.
by Andy Sambidge www.arabianbusiness.comÂ
