DUBAI // After years of anticipation, roadworks and five months of trial runs, the space-age Dubai Tram will deliver its first passengers on Wednesday.
Residents and tourists can use the trams to get around Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and along Al Sufouh Road.
The first phase of the tram project has 11 stations and 11 seven-car trams that will travel the line’s 10.6 kilometres in 42 minutes, at an average of 15kph and top speed of 50kph.
A second phase will add four kilometres of track, six stations and 14 trams.
It also connects with the Dubai Marina and JLT metro stations and the Palm Jumeirah monorail ending at Al Sufouh depot, near Dubai Police Academy.
Each of the 44-metre trams can carry 405 passengers in designated gold, silver and women’s and children’s cars.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) hopes about 27,000 people will use it every day by next year. By 2020, it expects that to jump to 66,000.
Like most of Dubai’s landmark projects, the tram boasts a few firsts.
It is the first outside of Europe that will run entirely on an underground power source.
The RTA said it was also the first tram system to be equipped with platform screen doors and air-conditioned stations.
Unlike Dubai Metro, the trams have drivers.
“The tram aims to improve the mobility within areas of tourist and economic importance,” said Mattar Al Tayer, executive director of the RTA.
“It provides a smooth, handy and highly efficient transit experience within the city of Dubai.
“It also minimises carbon emissions, sustaining the environment and improving the living of residents.”
One said the network would come in handy when the roads were backed-up with traffic.
“I think it’s a good thing to have the trams,” said Fabien Lamothe, who lives in JBR and works in Media City.
“I might even take it on days when the traffic is bad.”
Mr Lamothe hoped people visiting JBR at the weekend would use the tram instead of taking the car or other road transport.
Larry McGuiness, who owns an apartment in Dubai Marina, said: “I am looking forward to the tram as it would add value to the property around it. I would definitely use it to go around the marina and if I want to get to Media City.
“It would be beneficial to tourists and to people who want to go to the Marina Walk. Since it connects to some of the metro stations, it will help commuters, especially in the heat.”
Visitors to the emirate said the trams would improve access to Dubai’s beaches.
“It’s good if tourists do not have to rent a car or use the taxi,” said Christopher Cordes, who was visiting Dubai with his family from Germany.
“Many would prefer to use the metro or the tram to get to the beach and other places, instead of spending money on taxis.”
Ranjit Singh, one of the thousands of workers who have helped to build the network, was proud of the achievement.
“I have worked in laying the tracks and digging the roads for the past two years,” said the Indian worker.
“We have all worked really hard on the project and I will feel happy when it launches.”
Some residents were sceptical of the service’s benefits. Although officials promise the trams will alleviate traffic jams around JBR and the marina, some think otherwise.
“I don’t think it will reduce any congestion in these areas,” said Mariamm, a Hungarian who lives in the Marina.
“The tram doesn’t really go to many places, except around the marina and JBR. I usually walk or take a taxi in these places, which is easier when you have a two-year-old child.”
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