Retail and art make Dubai Metro stations more than just transit hubs

Footfall in Dubai Mall is greater now since a pedestrian bridge has been built from the metro station and other plans are in the pipeline for other metro stations.

It takes slightly less than 15 minutes to walk the 820 metre air-conditioned bridge between the station and world’s biggest mall. Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // The majority of metro stations on the Green and Red lines offer a few shops, perhaps a cafe or even a hairdressers.

The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, however, is effectively a mini shopping centre connected to another, much bigger mall.

It takes slightly less than 15 minutes to walk the 820 metre air-conditioned bridge between the station and world’s biggest mall.

In that time commuters are given the chance to stop at a whole gamut of stores: from novelty gift shops, to marshmallow chocolate dip stands.

“It leaves you tired out before you even get to the mall,” said Phil Bryant, 28, from the UK. “I’m not sure I have the energy to go on.”

The opening of the metro bridge in December 2012 meant people no longer had to wait for up to 20 minutes for a crowded feeder bus to take them to the mall, or walk along narrow, sandy pavements in the heat. Metro staff said the bridge had improved footfall into the mall.

“We’ve noticed more people coming into the mall because of the bridge,” said a female metro attendant, who did not want to be named. “It’s made things a lot easier.”

“Most of the people coming through are tourists,” said a male attendant.

“We get more people on a Friday evening, that’s the busiest time.”

While Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station may get a steady stream of footfall, all metro stations are reporting increased usage.

In the first quarter of this year alone, more than 40 million people – 7.3 million more than the same period last year – travelled on it.

The number of passengers using the Red Line during the first quarter of this year was 26,138,923 passengers, a 20 per cent rise on the same period last year. While the Green Line saw a 26 per cent increase in the number of users, reaching 14,517,055 riders.

Deira City Centre station, on the Red Line, was the busiest station, clocking 1,841,072 passengers, followed by Burj Khalifa–Dubai Mall Station with 1,813,854. Union station is the third busiest, with 1,705,712 people.

All these people demands services and there are 197 retail units and 190 ATMs across the network, with more to follow in the near future.

However, in addition to housing retail, six of the stations will soon be home to public art.

The Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority recently announced that they would spend Dh184 million to turn the six metro stations into art galleries by March next year.

The Burjuman station will double up as a music and art gallery, while Emirates Towers station will be turned into an Islamic decorations and manuscripts gallery.

Officials said the Financial Centre station will house an Islamic numismatics (coins) gallery, while the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station will be an elibrary and the Business Bay will be a photo gallery.

Noor Bank station will host the Museum of Contemporary Art and offer a diverse collection of artefacts, paintings, designs, graphics, sculptures and other collectables created by artists from all over the world.