Learning ins and outs of Metro

Riders in the Al Rashidiya station have climbed aboard trains and dived into the system's intricacies as they purchased tickets and travel cards.

Riders in the Al Rashidiya station this morning climbed aboard trains and dived into the system's intricacies as they bought tickets and travel cards. "I'm learning about it today so that I can use it from next week. This will be my mode of transport now," said James Sinclair, an Australian resident who lives in Al Rashidiya and will use the Metro to reach his office. Many others climbed aboard with confused looks on their faces. Two ticket vending machines at the station, for example, were out of service. But Joseph Correa, a commuter, said he was just enjoying the ride.

"It's all new and beautiful, Mr Correa said. Meanwhile, at the Terminal 3 station at Dubai International Airport, passengers leaving the airport largely circumvented the Metro stop, heading straight for taxis and their cars. [e-mail]