A new and improved fleet of 50 Dubai Metro trains has arrived in the emirate - putting transport chiefs on the fast track to boosting services for commuters.
The upgraded models will boast increased capacity, new digital Metro map displays and energy-saving lighting and will have better access for disabled people.
Thirty-five of the new additions will be introduced on the existing red and green lines of the Dubai Metro network with the remaining 15 set aside for Expo 2020 routes.
The trains were built and tested by French rail manufacturing company Alstrom at its site in Katowice, Poland, ahead of delivery to Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.
"RTA has introduced extensive improvements to the interior design of the new trains to make them more spacious and comfortable for riders. The last carriage is designated for women and children, and part of the first carriage remained as Gold Cabin. The rest are Silver Cabins," said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, RTA director general.
A design revamp has allowed for passenger capacity to be increased from 643 to 696.
"Improvements include new designs for grab handles and lighting, and the use of new digital advertisement displays," said Mr Al Tayer.
"Illuminated dynamic line maps will be used to indicate the metro route and stations, and the lighting will be using LED power-saving technology.
"In addition, the design of the luggage compartment has been revamped to make the space usable by standing commuters."
The carriages are configured to suit the use of people with disabilities
Seats were redistributed at the two sides of the train and the gangway connecting between carriages has been widened.
"The exterior shape of the new Dubai Metro trains was left unchanged to maintain the design identity of the Dubai Metro and its familiar colours to the public," said Mr Al Tayer.
The new trains are deployed at the Dubai Metro depots at Al Rashidiya and Jebel Ali.
RTA is conducting four rounds of operational tests of trains on Route 2020 of the Dubai Metro Red Line.
Dubai en route for Expo 2020:
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Commuters will pass through a row of smart gates when entering the new metro stations which will connect passengers to the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Wam -
A look inside the Expo 2020 station. Wam -
The Roads and Transport Authority says once open to commuters, Jumeirah Golf Estates station will be the largest on the Dubai Metro network. Wam -
40 retail outlets and five sales kiosks will be spread across all seven stations. Wam -
A view of the new Discovery Gardens metro station in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Seven new stations along the Route 2020 line boast a fresh, streamline interior and will be able to accommodate up to 125,000 riders a day by 2021. Pawan Singh / The National -
Fifty trains will serve passengers across the new 15km line which includes both overground and underground stations. Pawan Singh / The National -
Workers attend to the exterior of one of the stations during the under construction phase. It took 80 million hours to complete the work on the new Dubai Metro line. Pawan Singh / The National
The Expo 2020 line, which spans 15 kilometres, connects seven stations on the public transport network.
An extension of the existing red line, commuters will have direct access to the Dubai South site and other areas of the emirate.
Last month, the RTA in Dubai released pictures from inside the stations. The interior will accommodate up to 125,000 commuters a day in 2021.
The seven stations on the route include Jebel Ali Station; The Gardens Station; Discovery Gardens Station; Al Furjan Station; Jumeirah Golf Estates Station; Dubai Investments Park Station and Expo Station.
