Dubai Metro Express to cut commute time

Dubai Metro is set to launch an express service which will cut journey times for commuters.

The service, which will run from October between Jebel Ali and Rashidiya metro stations, will help passengers to save an average of ten minutes every morning.

To begin with only four express trains will run each morning. They will skip 14 of the 29 metro stations on the Red Line and run at an average speed of 43kph.

The first trains from both ends of the line will leave at 5.30am, followed by the next train at 5.40am. Normal service will resume at 5.50am, the usual time metro operations start.

“The express train will only stop at frequently used stations with a daily ridership of 4,000 to 5,000 passengers. The less frequently used stations will be skipped,” said Adnan Al Hammad, CEO of the Road and Transport Authority’s Rail Agency.

“The charges will remain the same, but passengers will benefit more by saving time. It will also help reduce passenger congestion at some stations.”

The service will be on trial five months and the RTA will then decide whether to make it a permanent service.

Al Hammadi however, did not rule out the possibility of adding more trains to its current fleet in order to accommodate more passengers and reduce the waiting period.

“Our infrastructure allows us to add more trains. If there is need for more trains after the trial period, we will certainly add them onto our fleet,” he said.

The stations to be covered by the express train include Al Rashidiya, Emirates, Al Rigga, Union, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Al Karama, Al Jaffiliya, Emirates Towers, Noor Islamic Bank, First Gulf Bank, Dubai Internet City, Ibn Battuta and Jebel Ali stations.