Dubai Metro saved a billion car journeys over 11 years, say transport bosses

The metro has also reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 million tonnes

Workers build an underground tunnel at Union Square Station, one of two underground stations where both Dubai Metro lines meet, in 2008. Reuters

Construction of a metro station on Sheikh Zayed Road in January 2009. Alamy

Scores of buildings under construction along the new metro line are seen on June 15, 2008. AFP

Construction of a track line support column for Dubai Metro under way. Alamy

Workers at a construction site for Dubai Metro pictured on May 28, 2008. AFP

Construction for Dubai Metro under way ahead of its inauguration in 2009.

Dubai Metro passes Dubai Marina during test runs a week before its opening on September 9, 2009. Stephen Lock / The National

Murals painted on the Metro support pillars in November 2018. They were painted by two international artists, Peruvian Daniel Cortez and Dominican-born, Miami-based Elio Mercado, known as Evoca1. Reem Mohammed / The National

Commuters file into Noor Bank Metro Station in September 2018. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters wait to take the Metro.

Dubai Metro has served more than 1.5bn passengers since it opened 10 years ago.

Dubai Metro has saved about 1 billion car journeys since its launch in 2009, the Roads and Transport Authority director general said.

Mattar Al Tayer, who is also chairman of the board of executive directors of the authority, said the metro had reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 million tonnes, with the cumulative financial benefits amounting to Dh115 billion.

“The metro network, which spans 74 kilometres, had been completed in just four years. The total length of the rail network is about 101km,” said Mr Al Tayer, during the main session of the Dubai International Project Management Forum that is being held under the theme: Sustainability in Mobility Projects.

He also spoke about numerous projects, as well as plans to boost public and environmentally friendly transport and increase the proportion of sustainable journeys.

“Besides mass transit means comprising the metro, tram and buses, mobility systems include taxi e-hail services, smart car rental [shared transport] services, bus-on-demand services, bike and scooter rental services, besides expanding the use of smart technologies,” he said.

“For instance, the Nol card can be used in paying for purchases made at 12,000 retail outlets, besides [granting holders] entry to Dubai’s public parks and museums."

Other speakers included Anne-Marie Idrac, France's former transport minister, who spoke about the future of mass transport.

"Over the next few years, mobility is poised to experience rapid transformation, likewise e-shopping. We will see growing numbers of autonomous vehicles and expansion in non-conventional mass transit means,” she said.

“Sustainability means eco-friendly mobility in which transit means are powered by electricity and clean power. It also involves the use of smart technologies in public transport means such as the metro and tram.”