The Dubai Metro is a rapid transit rail network in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was the answer to the city's fast population growth plus rapidly increasing number of tourists. In this blog, I will give an overview regarding all the Dubai Metro can offer. So keep your pens ready!
The Dubai Metro has two colored pathways which is the Red Line and Green Line that are currently operational, with three further lines planned. These first two lines run underground in the city centre and on elevated viaducts elsewhere (elevated railway). All trains are fully automated and driverless, and, together with stations, are air conditioned with platform edge doors to make this possible.The Red Line runs from Rashidiya in the east to Jebel Ali in the west and travels parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road for most of its length. It has 29 stations spanning 52.1 km (32.4 mi), which have been opened in phases from 2009 to 2011. The Green Line runs through Deira and Bur Dubai, generally parallel to Dubai Creek. There are 20 stations in this line, spanning from Etisalat to Dubai Creek covering 22.5 km (14.0 mi).
Travelling
The Dubai Transport is divided into 4 tiers (5 zones).
The prices were slightly increased as of 11 November 2014. The cheapest ticket (not preloaded, and not in the "gold" class) with distance not more than 3 km cost 3 AED (about $0.82) - equivalent of Tier 0, and most costly single trip (Tier 3, exceed 2 zones, and paper not preloaded ticket also) 7.5 AED (about $2.04) and was not increased from opening. Dubai Metro fares are among the cheapest metro fares in the world. Tier 1 is one zone trip, where the travel exceeds 3 km, Tier 2 is neighboring 2 zones travel. Also (excluding Gold class) using cards there is "no more paying" - a free rest of day travel if cost exceeds 14 AED (about $3.81).
Ticketing
The Nol Card is an electronic ticketing card that was released in for all mode of public transport in Dubai services, on August 2009. The word Nol is an Arabic word نول for fare. The Nol Card are used by the passengers to check-in and check-out at the gates in their destination station. The fare will be automatically deducted based on the number of zones traveled. Passengers will be allowed to check-in when their card has more than minimum credit required. Children below the age of 5 years or less than 90 cm and people with disabilities (personalized Nol Card required) will be eligible to travel the metro for free. There is also a Nol Card available for students & seniors, and they can get a student & senior citizens' discount.
Announced on 26 November 2013, The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced its partnership with Etisalat & du to launch its first ‘Smart Nol’ Service. Smart Nol is similar to Apple Pay and Google Wallet tap and pay, Smart Nol uses NFC enabled smart phones to check-in and check-out of the metro, bus, water bus and metro parking.
Trains
Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo built a total of 79 five-car trains (60 on Red Line, 19 on Green Line). They are designed to carry 643 seated and standing passengers, and unusually for a mass transit system, the trains have three classes of accommodation: Gold Class (first class), Women and Children class (a classification that is extended to a greater number of cars during the peak hours), and regular Silver Class (economy).
The metro has driverless operation and uses third rail current collection. Trained wardens accompany passengers to help with emergencies. The four newer trains (5074, 5075, 5076, and 5077) are each painted with a different special livery, in which one of them (train 5077) representing the skyline of Dubai.
Timing
The Dubai Metro operates seven days a week. From Saturday to Wednesday trains run from 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM-midnight on the Red Line and from 5:50 AM to 12:00 AM-midnight on the Green Line. On Thursday, the opening hours are the same, but the metro operates till late night, 1:00 AM on both lines while the opening hours change to 10:00 AM and trains run till late night, 1:00 AM on Friday. Passengers do not have to wait for trains for a long time even if they do not have a timetable because the trains arrive to stations quite frequently. Trains run every 4 minutes during peak time (on weekdays: 6:30-8:30 AM, 12:30-2:00 PM, 5:30-9:00 PM), and every 7 minutes during off-peak hours. The average travel time between stations is 60-90 seconds with 20-30 seconds of stopping time at each station. The entire journey from the first to the last station on the Red Line takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes while it takes around 40 minutes on the Green Line.
Map
*broken lines are for the planned extensions by 2020.
Dubai Tram
The Dubai Tram is a railway that runs 10.6 kilometers along the Dubai Marina and Jumeira districts’ public streets until the final station at the tram depot, next to Dubai Police Academy. This mode of public transportation opened for public on 12th of November in 2014 and with its integration to the transport network, it made the nearby attractions (like Dubai Marina Mall, Jumeirah Beach Residence or The Walk JBR) easily accessible. The tram is driven by a certified driver who has to pass the alcohol test each time before driving the carriage. The tram also has a Dead man’s switch feature (a button which has to be pressed in every 5 seconds to test the driver’s attention) to secure safety.
Features of Dubai Tram:
It has a capacity of up to 405 passengers.
Automatic Platform Screen Doors – please do not touch or lean on the door while the tram is moving.
There are seven cabins with three classes available on each tram (gold, silver and women & children classes), and it also has designated spaces for passengers with physical disabilities.
Free WiFi.
Number of currently operating trams: 11.
Air-conditioned and clean stations and trams.
Please note that it is not allowed to eat, drink or smoke inside the tram and remain seated until the tram stops at the station.
The Dubai Tram operates 19 hours daily (except Friday – 16 hours). It runs every 6 minutes from 6:30 AM in the early morning to 1:30 AM late night from Saturday to Thursday and from 9:00 AM to 1:30 AM on Friday. The entire round journey takes 42 minutes.
Since the tram is owned by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the payment system is similar to the one used on metro or bus. The fares must be paid by the NOL card so do not forget to purchase one and to scan your card at the reader for checking in and checking out. A ride will cost you AED 3 if you have silver and AED 4 if you have a red card in case of using the standard class regardless of the traveled distance because all the stations are in the same zone. The fare for passengers wish to use the gold class will be AED 6 in the case of having a gold and AED 8 in the case of having a red card. If you are interested to know more about NOL card, fares and passes, please check out this resource.
Airport Passengers
There are two metro stations for Dubai International Airport: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (red line). Passengers are allowed to carry two items of luggage on the train (one large suitcase and one hand baggage). The dimensions of the suitcase should not be greater than 81cm x 58cm x 30cm. The hand baggage should measure less than 55cm x 38cm x 20cm.
Rules
In the case of using Dubai Metro the following rules have to be followed:
Do not push others and do give way to other people
Priority must be given for elderly, injured, special needs and pregnant passengers
Accessing and using special designated areas (for example women and children only cabin) is forbidden
Animals are not allowed in any means of transportation, except guide dogs for people visually impaired
Eating (even chewing gum), drinking, spitting, littering and smoking is not allowed
Resting feet on seats is restricted and will result in fine
Using invalid, expired or other person’s card is forbidden
Leaving without payment will result in fine
Selling or promoting goods is prohibited
Sleeping in bus shelters is forbidden
It is not allowed to carry alcohol and hazardous items
Vandalism is strictly prohibited
Fare
AED 200
Using Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services, or entry into/exit from areas where fare is applicable, without payment of the applicable fare.
Failure to present the Unified Card upon request.
Using a card designated for others.
Using an expired card.
Using an invalid card.
Selling Unified Cards without prior permission from the Authority.
AED 500
Using Counterfeit card.
Compliance
AED 100
Entry into restricted areas inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services in violation of posted warning signs and boards.
Standing or sitting in non- passenger areas inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
Putting feet on seats.
AED 200
Selling or promoting, in any way goods and commodities inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities.
Failure to comply with the instructions of the inspectors or authorised personnel of the Authority or obstructing the performance of their duties.
Using Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services contrary to the Authority’s instructions posted on signboards.
Behavioral
AED 100
Causing a disturbance or inconvenience in any way to users of Public Transport and Public Facilities and Services.
Accessing or sitting in areas designated for specific categories.
Eating and Drinking in areas where eating and drinking are not allowed.
AED 300
Sleeping in passenger shelters or any place where sleeping is prohibited.
AED 2000
Damaging, vandalising or destroying equipment or seats on Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
AED 100 per day & Up to 1000
Parking vehicles in areas designated for metro users for a period exceeding the permitted period.
Health
AED 100
Bringing animals into Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services, except guide dogs for blind persons.
AED 200
Spitting, littering, or performing any act that would compromise the cleanness of Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
Smoking inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
Safety
AED 100
Misusing lifts or escalators.
Boarding the Public Transport Facilities and Services by climbing or jumping.
Opening the doors or attempting to access or leave Public Transport while it is moving between stations and stops.
Carrying or using materials or equipment that may cause inconvenience to users of Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services or endanger their safety.
AED 200
Causing any distraction or obstruction to driver of Public Transport Facilities and Services while he is driving.
AED 500
Carrying Alcoholic beverages inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
AED 1000
Carrying hazardous items, including weapons, sharp tools or inflammable materials, inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services.
AED 2000
Using any security or safety device or tool, including emergency exits where it is not necessary.