XPRESS Report www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: The number of Dubai Metro trains running along the Red Line is set to almost double from 12 to 20 from mid-April, XPRESS can reveal.
Operations between already open stations from Nakheel Harbour and Towers to Rashidiya will be beefed up in the next few weeks in preparation for the launch of new stations in the last week of April.
Additional trains
“The eight additional trains (on the Red Line) will be on track by mid-April, to start final test runs,” said an informed source.
The additional capacity will mean that maximum waiting time at stations will come down from 10 minutes to six minutes during rush hour, the source said.
At present, passengers have to wait an average of 10 minutes for a train during off-peak times.
According to the Roads and Transport Authority, the total number of five-car trains bought from Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo to run along the Red Line stands at 62, while 25 five-car trains will run on the Green Line.
Currently 11 stations are open, with seven more scheduled to open on April 25.
The remaining 10 stations will come online over the remaining months until all 28 stations on the Red Line open this year, a senior RTA official said.
April 25
The main contractor, Dubai Rail Link (DURL) consortium, is expected to complete the seven new stations on the Red Line on April 25, while stations on the Green Line are expected to be completed in August 2011.
The number of Metro users, which currently averages around 60,000 daily, is set to rise later this year, with most stations on the Red Line coming online in the next few months. About 35 million passengers are forecast to travel on Dubai Metro this year.
New stations
- 1: Emirates Station
- 2: Airport Terminal 1 Station
- 3: GGICO Station
- 4: Al Karama Station
- 5: World Trade Centre Station
- 6: Marina Station
- 7: Ibn Battuta Station
