The Dubai Metro marks 14 successful years of operation, a journey in which it has amassed over 1 million kilometres of travel, according to an announcement by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This milestone also celebrates an exceptional punctuality rate of 99.7%, a figure that surpasses international safety benchmarks.
Meeting global standards in urban transportation
Since its inception, the urban rail service has dedicated over 16.8 million hours to specialized maintenance endeavors, spanning carriages, rails, and tunnels. Maintenance teams have also covered a remarkable 30,000 kilometres on foot to ensure smooth operations through regular inspection tours.
#Dubai's Metro has set a new milestone in operational excellence, logging more than 16.8 million hours of specialised maintenance work since its inception in 2009, covering carriages, rails and tunnel maintenance. Managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the urban rail… pic.twitter.com/9rrywTLXIH
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 8, 2023
Utilizing advanced technology and specialized apps, the RTA is working tirelessly to elevate efficiency as part of its ambitious strategy towards paperless operations.
In the first half of 2023 alone, the metro reported a significant ridership, ferrying 123.4 million riders across its red and green lines.
Safety foremost with high-tech surveillance
Ensuring unparalleled safety standards, the metro network employs over 10,000 CCTV cameras, meticulously overseeing all train facilities. In addition, over 2,000 informational screens receive regular maintenance to facilitate passengers on every journey.
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras have also been deployed for precise and rapid inspections of the metro tunnels extending over 14 kilometres on both the Red and Green Lines, further enhancing safety protocols.
Commitment to cutting-edge maintenance
Over the past 14 years, the authority has been committed to preventive maintenance, categorised into light and comprehensive overhauls based on the mileage covered by each train. This meticulous approach has involved over 1 million manhours to maintain 79 trains, undertaken by a dedicated team of 70 individuals working around the clock.
Emphasizing skill development, the RTA has initiated programs to nurture Emirati engineering and technical talents, setting a new standard in localized training initiatives focused on the railway sector.
A glance at Dubai Metro by numbers
As the metro undertakes its second overhaul maintenance, it continues to stand as a beacon of advanced urban transportation with its impressive infrastructure featuring:
- 900 automated fare gates
- 548 escalators
- 273 elevators
- 96 electric walkways and air-conditioned footbridges