The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has announced that the Dubai Metro Blue Line project will commence in 2021. The project, which is expected to cost Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion), will add 30km to the Metro network and feature 14 new stations, 15.5km of which will be underground. It is set to transform the north-eastern region of Dubai and establish a direct link with Dubai International Airport.
When completed, the Blue Line will connect five principal urban regions of Dubai, including Bur Dubai/Deira, Downtown/Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Marina/JBR, and Expo City Dubai. The project is expected to be finished in 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, the director general of the RTA, the project 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. He also noted that the Metro accounted for the largest proportion of users of mass transit, shared transport, and taxis last year, at 37%.
The RTA confirmed that the combined ridership of public transport and shared mobility, including Dubai Metro, Tram, buses, marine transport, and taxis, reached about 702 million, up 13% from 621.4 million in 2022. The average daily ridership of these modes of transport last year was 1.92 million, compared to 1.7 million in 2022.
The Blue Line project is a significant addition to Dubai’s transportation infrastructure and is expected to help the city achieve its ambitious urban development goals. With its extensive network and modern facilities, the Dubai Metro has become an essential part of the city’s public transport system, enabling people to move around quickly and efficiently.
