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2 metro stations to be renamed

Two stations on Dubai Metro’s Red Line will get new names with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announcing the name change at a press briefing on Monday.

One of Dubai’s busiest metro stations, the Khalid bin Al Waleed Station will be renamed as Burjuman Station, while the Jebel Ali Industrial Station will be called Danube Station, as part of a 10-year deal under the Dubai Metro Stations Naming Rights Project.

Unveiling the new names, Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency said: “Adding Burjuman Centre and Danube Group to the line-up of beneficiaries of the Metro Stations Naming Rights Project is a huge plus for us as it speaks volumes of the Project’s success.”

The Naming Rights project, launched in 2008, is a unique concept, which gives public and private sector companies a chance to own the naming right for a station.

“The project is a first-of-its-kind initiative worldwide and is the world’s first revenue model for public transport infrastructure, which has now been emulated by other cosmopolitan cities such as Chicago, Boston, Houston, London, Delhi-Gurgaon, Philadelphia, Montréal and Rio de Janeiro among others.”

With the two new additions, Dubai Metro now has more than 20 stations named after corporate firms. Speaking with Khaleej Times, Rizwan Sajan, Chairman of Danube Group said: “Dubai today is a big brand in the international market and the metro is a big brand created by Dubai. To be associated with this brand and the vision is an honour for us.”

The station is located next to the Danube headquarter in Jebel Ali and provides easy access to industrial complexes in the area.

For regular commuters using the Khalid bin Al Waleed Station, the new name associated with Burjuman will be easier to refer to.

Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the board of Burjuman Centre said: “Securing the naming rights of the Khalid bin Al Waleed Station is part of Burjuman’s ongoing commitment to support and partner the vision of the government and its agencies to make Dubai a model city in every sphere.”

The naming changes are expected to take effect in December, as a specific date was not announced.

Other branded stations on Dubai Metro include: Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Etisalat, Gulf General investment Company (GGICO), Sharaf DG, First Gulf Bank, Nakheel, The Palm Deira, Nakheel Harbour & Tower, Dubai Airport Free Zone and Noor Islamic Bank.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com