Dawn of a new era for Dubai as Metro goes live

Commuters and journalists gathered before dawn at the Nakheel Harbour and Tower station in Dubai this morning to board the first Metro train available to the public.

Passengers wave from a passing train seen from on board the first train of the day on the Dubai Metro network which pulled out of the Nakheel Harbour & Tower station at 6am in Dubai on September 10, 2009.

The Dubai Metro's first train left Nakheel Harbour and Tower station just a little after 6am today, a few minutes behind schedule and carrying more journalists than ordinary passengers. Most of the dozen or so first fare-paying travellers on the long-awaited Red Line were joyriders on a trip to Rashidiya, the end of the line, and back again. Some parked their cars in the large multi-storey car park, strolling across the air-conditioned walkway to the station. One man, however, may have a claim to being the Metro's first genuine commuter: Azab Abw Warda, 20, an Egyptian student who has lived in Dubai for 16 years, was planning to travel as far as Rashidiya, then get a taxi to his university in Sharjah. "My car is in the garage," he said, grinning broadly as he filmed the passing city on his mobile phone. His smile suggested it might stay there; if so, his is an example that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hopes many thousands more will emulate. The journey was flawless, the ride smooth, the carriages cool and the promised wireless internet working. More passengers got on at the next stop, Mall of the Emirates; everyone wanted to stand at the front of the train, taking pictures of the city as though they were seeing it for the first time. The rising red sun, glowing among the still mist-shrouded skyscrapers, added drama to the scene. Before the train started, Dubai Police officers, out in force, had insisted that no one would be allowed to take photographs on the train. The rule was abandoned in minutes. Young Emiratis, a group of Indian friends, some Spanish tourists and assorted expatriates - everyone wanted to record the moment and, by now, images of Dubai's latest achievement will have gone around the world. As a train travelling in the opposite direction appeared down the track, its front window sparkled with camera flashes. A party of young Emirati boys waved excitedly; the group of equally excited young Indian men at the front of the northbound train waved back. Few people sat, instead wandering up and down the four carriages. For today, at least, the Gold carriage - distinguished, at first blush, only by its leather seats - was open to all. And a curious thing happened. Strangers on a train started to talk to each other. [e-mail]