Streamlined, Eco-Friendly, And Adored: Dubai Metro Celebrates Its 14th Year In Service

The Dubai Metro celebrates its 14th anniversary today, marking a significant achievement for the city.

Since its inauguration on September 9, 2009, the transportation landscape has undergone a transformative evolution.

Spanning the city with its red and green lines, the metro has transcended its role as a mere means of conveyance; it has become a vital lifeline, rescuing residents and tourists alike from the clutches of traffic congestion, stress, and financial burdens.

Dubai Metro stands as a crowning achievement in the portfolio of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). With a staggering daily ridership of over 1.7 million passengers, it has earned its reputation as one of the world's safest, cleanest, and most accessible public transportation systems. Its extensive network encompasses 47 strategically located stations across two comprehensive lines—Red and Green.

Orkan Rahimli, a restaurateur and entrepreneur, underscores how the metro has revolutionized his daily life, saving him precious time, money, and the ordeal of navigating the city's roadways. “In the last eight years in Dubai, I have travelled to every metro station in Dubai, for either work or leisure,” Rahimli reveals.

He goes on to explain,

“I was residing in JBR, and the metro station was a stone’s throw away. In my early days in Dubai, I had to travel everywhere from markets in Deira to business districts and it was best to travel by metro due to its massive connectivity.”

For Jatin Gupta, a finance professional residing in JLT, the metro effortlessly conveys him to his DIFC office, despite owning a luxury car:

“I live beside the metro station and it’s a 2-minute walk from my place. The total journey on the metro is about 20 minutes and in just 25 minutes I reach my office,” Jatin attests.

He adds,

“By reducing the number of cars on the road, it's helping lower pollution levels and conserve resources. It's a sustainable choice that benefits us all.”

Firas Hamdan, a Syrian national working in Dubai's real estate sector, regards his daily metro commute from Internet City to Business Bay as nothing short of a boon. He remarks,

“The ride is smooth and efficient, and it saves me a significant amount of money. A taxi ride would cost me around Dh45 one way, but by choosing the metro, I spend just Dh5. That means I save Dh45 on each journey. When you do the math, it's almost Dh1000 saved every month.”

Hamdan further underscores,

“The 25-minute metro journey is not just a time-saver, it's a stress-saver too. It relieves me of the traffic and stress on the road. Dubai Metro has truly transformed the way I live and work in this city.”

American student Rohan Nihlani regularly relies on the metro for his school commute:

"I have a metro station within walking distance from both my home and school," he points out. "The journey consumes just 40 minutes of travel time, with a simple transfer at Burjuman or Union stations. On the return trip, I often encounter fellow students from my class and grade who also utilize the metro. Some of the younger students, as young as 3 years old, travel with their siblings."

The 11th grader highlights his use of the metro for outings with friends, emphasizing the convenience it offers:

"We frequently visit malls or other destinations accessible by metro," he notes. "It's an exceedingly convenient option for us, granting us independence from relying on our parents for drop-offs and pickups."

 

Source: khaleejtimes.com