The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday that the Dubai Metro Blue Line project will start in 2024, introducing 14 stations, including three key interchange stations, to enhance connectivity across Dubai.
Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, stated that the project will extend over 30 km, with 15.5 km underground and 14.5 km above ground, aiming to accommodate the anticipated population growth in the area, which is expected to reach one million people as outlined in the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.
The Blue Line will complement the existing Red and Green lines, offering a direct connection between Dubai International Airport and nine major areas, with travel times ranging from 10 to 25 minutes. This development is part of a broader effort to increase public transport use, evidenced by a 13% increase in ridership in 2023, reaching 702 million riders, 62% of whom utilized the Dubai Metro and public buses.
Al Tayer highlighted the substantial investments in public transport infrastructure, including the expansion of the bus network and the enhancement of the marine transport system, which have contributed to the improved mobility across the city. December 2023 saw a record monthly ridership of 64.9 million, attributed in part to the UAE’s hosting of the COP28 conference.