By Rob Morris www.arabianbusiness.com
The RTA has insisted that all stations along the Dubai Metro’s red line will open on time following reports of delays.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the Roads and Transport Authority told Arabian Business that the schedule for opening all 29 stations from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali had not changed.
“We announced before that we are opening all stations and there is nothing beyond that at this point in time,” the spokesperson said.
“You should take what comes out of the RTA,” the spokesperson added in response to reports that only nine stations would be operational.
When asked whether the RTA would keep the public informed of any delays to the $4.2bn metro project, the official said: “100 percent and I think we are one of the top communicators in the country. Certainly if there is any new information we will let everybody know.”
An unconfirmed media report on Monday claimed that only a third of the stations on the red line would be working from September 9.
The report also said that a further 10 stations would open in October with the final 10 coming on line the following month.
While the RTA is now denying any delays, its chairman Mattar Al Tayer said in March that not all stations would be operational when the metro opened.
During a press conference last month to announce metro fares, Al Tayer revealed station openings would depend on the stage of developments running along the line.
“There would be no point in opening a station where there are no buildings finished,” he said.
“For example, if you go along Sheikh Zayed Road you will see a building under construction that is not yet finished, so why should I add to the operating cost [of the Metro]? I would rather wait three or four months until those buildings are finished.”
The RTA wants 30 percent of Dubai’s population to eventually use public transport.
