Dubai Metro system launched
11 September 2009
Travellers planning a trip to Dubai in the future will find it easier to explore the city following the launch of the Metro public transport system this week.
The first Metro train left the Mall of the Emirates station on 9 September, carrying Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, and other special guests on its maiden journey.
Union Square, Khalid bin Waleed and Dubai airport were among the stations visited by the passengers, as well as Al Rashidiya, where a Lego sculpture of a blue Metro station was revealed.
Sheikh Mohammed described the new transport network as 'Dubai's socio-economic future'.
Mattar Al Tayer, chief executive of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: 'Dubai deserves this achievement.'
He added: 'We in Dubai established 29 stations in four years … This shows Dubai's ability to lead, whether there is a global downturn or not. We are happy to be pioneers in our region.'
All stations on the Metro system's Red line are set to be open by February 2010, while the Green, Blue and Purple lines will be fully incorporated into the network in the future.