Dubai Tram fare @ Dh3 per zone

The Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed a naming rights project will soon be rolled out to unveil a unique identity for several Dubai Tram stations and bids for the same are ‘welcome’.

Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, confirmed the news on the sidelines of a RTA Dubai Tram conference to facilitate greater connectivity of the service with neighbouring hotels and hotel apartments along the 10.6km tramway track that will open during the first phase.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Younes further explained: “We do have existing names for the tram stations but we are looking at the feasibility of which ones out of the 11 can be provided naming rights.

“This will be decided in the coming month.

“Unlike the Dubai Metro, we have limited stations and some are named after the nearby attractions or neighbourhood. If there is an opportunity to facilitate bidding, then we will announce it.”

While the RTA will officially announce the fare structure, Younes reiterated the pricing will be similar to that of Dubai Metro, which averages around Dh3 for a zone.

Speaking about the Dubai Tram’s operational hours, Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan, Director of Rail Planning and Design at RTA’s Rail Agency stated the service will not run as a 24-hour operation.

He said: “The Dubai Tram cannot run 24 hours. There should be engineering hours - 4-5 hours per day. The exact duration of the service will be announced closer to the launch date, but it will approximately be for 19-20 hours.”

The Dubai Tram will officially launch on November 11 and run across 11 stations, connecting Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Beach Residence with Al Sufouh, running on a single track initially before new loops are introduced in the coming months.

Redha further stated: “Initially, the tram will run on a single loop from Al Sufouh Station and those who want to travel mid-way will have to reach the end of the journey and return in a giant circle.

“However, after two to three months, we will introduce a special loop for passengers looking to specifically travel in the JBR and Marina area.”

While passengers will be able to use their existing Nol cards for the Dubai Tram service, a special system will be introduced where a stand near the platform doors will allow passengers to validate their rides upon entering and exiting the tram.

The RTA has warned that inspectors will be roaming to ensure tickets have been validated.

According to the RTA, the Dubai Tram can ferry up to 405 passengers, across seven cabins that will be divided across several travel classes, including Gold, Silver, Women and Children and one that is disable friendly.

The tram will be able to travel at the maximum speed of 50kmph, but will average 30kmph, according to the RTA, with 60 fixed seats and 12 tip-up seating.

The JLT and the Damac Station will be directly linked to the Dubai Tram stations, while two of the stations will also have link to the water buses, taxis and the Dubai Ferry.

Meanwhile, Station 9 will have the largest car parking space and will offer a direct link to The Palm Monorail.

For commuters, the introduction of Dubai Tram means a re-evaluation of road and traffic rules since Dubai Tram will criss-cross regular traffic at about 30 junctions, with crossings and intersections starting from Dubai Police Academy in Al Sufouh to Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Additional road signs have been put up, road markings painted on the roads, barriers placed, additional traffic signs erected and new traffic fines have been approved.

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