Dubai - Move intended to upgrade services, cater to the needs of riders and bring them happiness
Published: Wed 1 Nov 2017, 2:47 PM
Updated: Thu 2 Nov 2017, 8:45 AM
Good news for those who want to use the Metro services early in the morning. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that it will adjust Metro and Tram timings for at least half an hour earlier, beginning November 1.
"The Red Line services would start at 5am instead of 5.30am, while the Green Line would be in operation from 5.30am instead of 5.50am and Dubai Tram would start at 6am instead of 6.30am from November 1, which coincides with Public Transport Day 2017," Mohammed Yousef Al Mudharreb, director of rail operations at the RTA's Rail Agency, announced on Wednesday.
The RTA said the move is "intended to upgrade services, cater to the needs of riders and bring them happiness so that they reach their destinations faster, besides attracting more customers to mass transit modes." Additional trains will also be deployed at six Express Metro service stations, including Rashidiya, Al Rigga, Emirates Towers, First Gulf Bank, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and UAE Exchange.
"The selected stations are the most used metro stations by passengers to get to their workplaces early. This would ease congestion at the first metro service at all stations," said Al Mudharreb.
With the revised schedule, the Dubai Metro Red Line would be operational from Saturday to Wednesday from 5am to 12 midnight while the Green Line services would be available from 5.30am to 12 midnight and the Tram service would start from 6am until 1am the following day.
On Thursdays, the Red Line would be operational from 5am until 1am the following day, while the Green Line would run from 5.30am to 1am the following day. Tram service would start from 6am until 1am the following day."
On Fridays, the Red Line will open at 10am until 1am the next day; the Green Line from 10am to 1am the following day; and the Dubai Tram from 9am to 1am the next day.
KT Nano Edit
Longer, healthier ride
There's no doubt that public transport is a massive hit in Dubai. There's the Metro, bus, tram, boat or taxis to anywhere in the city, and to other emirates. By extending timings of the Metro, Dubai is encouraging more people to hop on to its driverless trains. It's good for the environment as you won't be spending time in the traffic on your fuel-guzzling vehicle. Think of the stress you will avoid.
angel@khaleejtimes.com