DUBAI // When hundreds of excited people boarded Metro trains at the shiny new Nakheel Harbour and Tower station last night they became the system's very first regular passengers. One of the passengers was Arshad Mehmood, 39, from India, who boarded on a wheelchair. "I sent a video to the Roads and Transport Authority on how Dubai was keeping in mind the people with special needs in all their projects. The RTA invited me for the trip and I am very excited about it. This is something very new for me," said Mr Mehmood, who is self-employed and was accompanied by his brother, Arif.
"This is outstanding," Arif chimed in as he took his seat. Many of the passengers, who had all won "golden tickets" to be the Metro's first passengers, dressed in their best clothes for the trip. Some seemed dazzled as they walked through the new station and boarded the trains. "Three cheers for Dubai Metro!" cheered the crowd as the doors shut and the train started moving. The passengers stuck their faces against the windows and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Sheikh Zayed Road. Outside, people stopped what they were doing to watch the train go by.
"It's a bit of a roller-coaster ride," said one man as the train started moving along the curved track. "We feel so excited, just like little kids. We have left our children and husbands at home just to take this trip today," said Sushma Tah, who made the trip with her best friend, Simi Saigal. The Indian homemakers won their golden tickets on a radio programme. "Both of us live close to Metro stations and we will certainly use the trains regularly in the future. No more pain of driving," said Ms Saigal.
About 20 minutes into the trip, at 10.15pm, the train stopped briefly at the Mall of Emirates station. As fireworks lit up the sky, the passengers cheered again. There were several moments of confusion earlier in the day when the golden-ticket winners and media representatives rushed into the first station. RTA staff and security officers warned people against taking pictures. They even erased some from cameras, although everyone was allowed to take photos once the train started moving.
Simran Mehta, six, from India, celebrated her birthday on the Metro. "We already had a party for her at home and then came here for further celebrations," said her mother, Ruchi. "If we were allowed we would have got all the kids for a Metro ride. But now we'll probably do that tomorrow because we have promised them a trip on the Metro." @Email:pmenon@thenational.ae
