RTA extends Dubai Metro operational hours

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the extension of the operational hours of the Dubai Metro as of September 3, 2011 to 12:00 am on weekdays (from Saturday to Wednesday) and up to 01:00 am on weekends (Thursday and Friday).

This timetable is synchronised with the impending operation of the Dubai Metro Green Line.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said: "Dubai Metro will be operated during weekdays from Saturday to Wednesday from 06:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight). On Thursday the service will start from 06:00 am and continue up to 01:00 am (after midnight), and on Friday the metro operation time will start at 01:00 pm (at noon) and continue running up to 01:00 am (after midnight).”

He said the decision to extend the metro operational hours is synchronized with RTA preparations for the launch of the metro Green Line on 09/09/2011 as this line will serve vital areas with high population density and malls visited by citizens, residents and visitors.

The decision has been taken in the light of a survey carried out by the RTA among the metro riders to probe their views and needs as far as the service hours of the metro are concerned. The survey revealed that several passengers prefer the extension of the metro operations to match the working hours of malls and recreational facilities. RTA is keen on addressing all the needs of different community segments in terms of mobility and smooth travel across Dubai, particularly as the metro is considered one of the vital public transit means given its short-cut travelling routes offering speedy access to the intended destinations across Dubai.

"In view of this extension of the metro working hours coupled with the operation of the Green Line on 09/09/2011, the total number of trains to be deployed on both the Red and Green Lines will rise to 50 during peak time and 28 during off-peak time. 36 trains will be deployed on the Red Line during peak hours and 18 trains during off-peak hours, while 14 trains will be operated on the Green Line during peak hours and 10 trains during off-peak hours, with a service frequency (headway) will be from 6 to 8 minutes. The extension of the metro operational hours is set to bring about a considerable increase in the metro ridership in the near future," said Al Tayer in a concluding remark.

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