DUBAI // The 50 per cent discount for Emirati senior citizens who use the Dubai Tram system or metro is to be extended to elderly expatriates.
The half-price fares were initially restricted to citizens only but from next week they will apply to expatriates over 60 years old riding on the metro or the tram, which will begin service on November 11.
A similar discount is already available to students.
“There was always a question why this was limited to only locals, so from 11/11 it will apply to non-locals also,” said Abdulla Al Madani, a division chief executive of the Roads and Transport Authority.
“We have taken this into consideration and the 50 per cent discount will cover all senior citizens, not just locals. So that’s good news.”
Commuters using the tram will pay just Dh3 a trip because the line stretches only along a single zone.
“The fare for the tram will be Dh3 regardless if you travel from the first to second station or all 11 stations, because it is in one zone,” said Mr Al Madani.
The route will cover 11 stations on a 10.5-kilometre track that begins at Al Sufouh, goes to Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, then loops back.
Fares are linked to the Nol card system.
Last month the RTA announced details and fares for daily, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual passes.
These will be launched at the tram’s inauguration on Tuesday.
The fares include a standard Dh20 daily pass through to an annual pass for Dh2,670, which can be used on the tram, metro and buses.
Al Sufouh Tram project is the first of its kind outside Europe and will run on electricity.
Officials have emphasised safety with advertisements in local media.
They have warned drivers who cause a crash at junctions with a tram line or jump a red light face fines from Dh5,000 to Dh30,000 and could have their licence suspended for a year.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
