The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) welcomes the opening of the first metro line (the ‘Red Line’, with a total length of 59km) in Dubai, where its 59th Congress and Exhibition City Transport will take place from 10 to 14 April 2011.

“The opening of a metro system in a car-oriented society shows the importance to prepare right now for the post-oil era,” said Hans Rat, Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). “It highlights the need to urgently invest in public transport if we want to meet our challenge to double the public transport market share worldwide by 2025.” He added: “With this metro, Dubai is entering the club of the most important cities in the world, including, among others: New York, Tokyo, Moscow, Paris and London.”

Starting with 10 key stations on the Red Line, with the remaining stations to be opened in phases over the next few months, Dubai Metro is a cornerstone of the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) transport master plan, which includes four metro lines (318km), seven tramway lines (270km), 90 new bus routes (2,500km) and five new waterways (210km) for a total investment of about USD 10bn. This ambitious plan aims at increasing the modal share of public transport in Dubai from its current 6% to 30% by 2020.

Yesterday HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially launched Dubai Metro, which opened to the public this morning.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said: “The Dubai Metro Project has been completed in a record-breaking period of less than four years since HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum laid the foundation of the Project on 21 March 2006.”

Hans Rat commented: “Dubai has achieved a record in constructing its metro in so short a period.”

RTA was keen to use the latest technology in rail industry and provide all means of comfort and welfare to passengers. Trains will be driverless and include first class, as well as women and children only sections. Extensive window panels will offer great views of the city. Stations will have taxi depots and park-and-ride facilities. More than 700 feeder buses have been deployed to serve these stations on well-planned and coordinated routes.

In its early operation phases, Dubai Metro service is set to run at 10 minutes headway at a rate of six trains per hour with an intake of 3,858 passengers per hour per direction. The volume of demand on the Red Line services is anticipated at 3,500 passengers per hour per direction.

The UITP World Congress and Exhibition is organised every two years with more than 2,200 public transport operators, authorities and industries, 315 exhibitors and 6,400 visitors (2009 Edition). The 59th Edition will take place in the Dubai World Trade Center from 10 to 14 April 2011.

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