<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2023/11/15/electric-air-taxi-to-begin-test-flights-in-dubai-next-year/" target="_blank">Dubai</a> will get a new 30km Metro line that will officially open in 2029. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2023/11/11/sheikh-mohammed-hails-technology-drive-as-uae-coding-day-goes-global/" target="_blank">Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid</a>, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday announced that plans for the Blue Line had been approved. Sheikh Mohammed said the project, described as the emirate's “largest new project in the public transport sector”, would cost Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion). “Stretching 30 kilometres, half of it underground at depths reaching 70 metres, the project costs Dh18 billion,” he said. “It covers areas with a population of one million residents, such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, International City, Rashidiya, Warqa, and Mirdif, as well as urban areas like Silicon Oasis, Academic City, and more.” The Blue Line consists of nine elevated stations and five underground stations. It will offer a direct connection between Dubai International Airport and nine areas including Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City 1 and 2, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City. The travel time between these destinations is expected to range from 10 minutes to 25 minutes. The Blue Line aims to serve about 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this projected to rise to 320,000 by 2040. By 2029, an estimated 50,000 university students from Academic City are expected to use the service. Sheikh Mohamed emphasised that national talents have proven their ability to spearhead the development. “Remarkable achievements don't happen by chance; rather, they result from deliberate planning, creative thinking and a commitment to attaining the highest level of leadership. The true measure of achievement lies in its positive impact on society,” he said. “We strive for the best for our society, sparing no effort to achieve it at the highest standards.” The new line will be able to transport about 320,000 passengers every day, and according to social media posts from Sheikh Mohammed, will “connect with the current Metro network on the Red Line (Rashidiya Area) and Green Line (Al Khor Area)". There will be three key interchange stations: The Creek, Centrepoint, and International City, plus an iconic station at Dubai Creek Harbour. The largest transitional station in the Dubai Metro network, with an area of 44,000 square metres, will be International City. The post also detailed the timetable for the project. 2023: Tender launch 2024: Awarding the project 2025: Start of tunnel drilling 2028: Trial operation 2029: Official operation Once the project is completed the total network will cover 131km with 78 stations and 168 trains. The project was launched by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, at a ceremony at Dubai Creek Harbour on Friday. Sheikh Maktoum said that Dubai remains committed to creating world-class projects that not only enhance the city's global standing but also reaffirm its leadership in developing high-level infrastructure that aligns with the emirate's sustainable development goals. “We remain dedicated to upholding the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, which seeks to consolidate Dubai's position as the world's best city to live in,” he said. He also commended Dubai's Road and Transport Authority in building major projects to aid Dubai as it works towards its future aspirations, and acknowledged the contributions of Emirati talent that are at the forefront of development across vital sectors in the emirate. “We are proud of our national talent and have full confidence in their abilities to further develop the emirate, with a focus on enhancing the stability and happiness of the community,” he said. Sheikh Maktoum also met 30 young Emirati engineers who will be part of the team constructing the Dubai Metro Line project. The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, chairman of Dubai Ports and Border Security Council, and a number of senior officials. Sheikh Maktoum was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the Roads and Transport Authority, and was briefed on the key features of the Dubai Metro Blue Line. Dubai Metro was launched in 2009 with 10 stations and has already surpassed the milestone of carrying two billion passengers. “The Dubai Metro is an integral part of Dubai's essence, intertwined with its daily life, neighbourhoods, and residents … it will continue to serve billions of people in the coming decades, God willing,” Sheikh Mohammed said. Recently, 15km of new track was added to the public transport network's existing Red line, giving commuters <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/transport/first-look-inside-dubai-metro-s-futuristic-new-route-2020-stations-1.1092845">direct access to the Expo 2020 Dubai</a> site, which opened on October 1, 2021.
