Dubai Metro carried a staggering 2.527 billion passengers from the time it was launched in 2009 until the end of 2024.
It defied the doubters who said it would never work and, figures compiled by the Roads and Transport Authority shows it carries 900,000 riders daily. But just how do the trains keep moving?
The RTA on Friday provided a rare glimpse inside the Dubai Metro operations control centre in Al Rashidiya that keeps the show on track.
This is the nerve centre of the system - ensuring countless passengers reach their destination safely every day.
There, staff monitor huge banks of screens showing both lines – Red and Green – and the live position of each train.
The map shows how many trains are on the system, potential faults, what time each one pulls up to the station and even the doors of the trains and stations opening.
Teams work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and segments of the line have their own dedicated staff.
Full speed ahead
“Dubai Metro is one of the longest driverless Metros in the world and all the operation [happens] from this centre,” said Hassan Al Mutawa, director of rail operations at the RTA's rail agency.
“And we [ensure] the safe and smooth operation for Dubai Metro and for our customers as well.”
Mr Al Mutawa said there were about 1,800 staff overall in operations and maintenance but only about 20 employees every shift are responsible for the smooth running of the driverless system.
The network comprises 53 stations and has a total track length of 90 kilometres.
Today, the Metro represents nearly 60 per cent of total usage across all public transportation modes in Dubai and saved about 1 billion car journeys since its launch.
It is all the more remarkable when one considers public transport before the Metro consisted of buses, taxis and abras crossing Dubai Creek.
Constructions has also started on the Blue Line - a huge expansion of the Metro into neighbourhoods such as Dubai Creek Harbour, International City and Mirdif to cater for Dubai’s rising population that now stands at more than four million.
The Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion) project will include 14 stations and add 30km to the network, more than half of it underground and is set to open in 2029.
But Mr Al Mutawa said Dubai’s growing population is not an issue for the train system.
“We know who is coming to Dubai Metro. We are not surprised with the number,” he said. "During the peak we increase the number of trains - we change the scenario of operation.
"Passengers are using our Metro safely and this is all because of the proper planning.”
The Metro runs typically from 5am to midnight but this can be extended during weekends and for special events. Also crucial to its operations is what is known as the headway - the average interval between trains, which ranges between 120 seconds during peak hours and up to four minutes off-peak.
“We have multiple scenarios for operation within a day, so the control centre is agile and flexible enough to implement any plan that we need to accommodate the number of passengers coming to Dubai Metro.”
He said artificial intelligence systems are being deployed so staff can anticipate issues before they happen.
Testament to the planning is an emergency red button that can halt the entire network when pressed if there is an issue. It has never been used.
“It will hold the operation for the whole line,” he said. “It's used for emergency purposes only.”
For Mr Al Mutawa, every day is a challenge but one that he relishes.
“Every day we have to make sure all the assets and the systems are safe," he said.
“What people don't know is that during the night, when everything is shut down, this is our major activity [time] for maintenance enhancements and upgrades.
“So that's why we are working 24/7 in this control centre to make sure for the next day the Metro is running safely and comfortably.”
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
HAJJAN
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Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
