RTA to start work on $4.9bn Dubai Metro Blue Line this year
The Blue Line will extend the Dubai Metro network by 30km
The Roads and Transport Authority have announced that construction work on the Dubai Metro Blue Line will begin in 2024. The US $4.9bn project aims to transform the north-east section of Dubai and is to feature 14 stations, extending the Dubai Metro network by 30km.
Once complete, the Blue Line will connect five principal urban regions of Dubai – Bur Dubai and Deira, Downtown and Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Marina and JBR and Expo City Dubai. On completion of this line, the Dubai Metro will span 131km and boast 78 stations and 168 trains.
“This year will witness the start of implementation of the Dubai Metro Blue Line project. It serves vital areas whose population is expected to reach about one million, according to the Dubai Urban Plan 2040, and achieves connectivity and integration with the Red and Green Lines,” explained Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA.
Al Tayer also noted that the Dubai Metro accounted for the largest proportion of users of mass transit, shared transport and taxis in 2023, at 37%. The RTA stated that the combined ridership of public transport and shared mobility, including Dubai Metro, tram, buses, marine transport and taxis reached about 702m, an increase of 13% from the 621.4 million recorded in 2022.
The average daily ridership of these modes of transport last year was 1.92m, compared to 1.7m in 2022.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro, the RTA stated.
