DUBAI | Public Transport

[AltinD]

I took the Metro for a ride (as to speak) yesterday. Overall a nice experience ... and I have to admit that in 10 years living in Dubai, this is the first time I rode the public transport.


PS. Also recorded 2.8GB of HD video

[rheintram]

Thanks a lot for the pictures! The stations all seem to be very large and modern. The style of the architecture is a little bit too kitschy for my taste though. What I wonder is, why these specific materials were chosen.

In most cities a lot of concrete, brushed metal and simple panels are used for metro stations, because they are sustainable and don't take on dirt so easily (and many metro stations around the world do tend to get dirty). How will Dubai cope with that? Are there employees in all stations? And what about security? Hope someone can answer my questions.

[Dubaiiscool:)]

There's about 700 security guards if im not mistaken but theres more information on the Dubai Metro Thread in the U.A.E part of the forum.

Here's a link to the dubai metro thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...2#post43064642

[AltinD]

Originally Posted by rheintram

Thanks a lot for the pictures! The stations all seem to be very large and modern. The style of the architecture is a little bit too kitschy for my taste though. What I wonder is, why these specific materials were chosen.

In most cities a lot of concrete, brushed metal and simple panels are used for metro stations, because they are sustainable and don't take on dirt so easily (and many metro stations around the world do tend to get dirty). How will Dubai cope with that? Are there employees in all stations? And what about security? Hope someone can answer my questions.

'underground vs elevated' structures

[Tomb Raider]

I just wanted to say congratulations guys, such an outstanding project, I'm so proud of you, carry on !

[reda2casa]

Originally Posted by Tomb Raider

I just wanted to say congratulations guys, such an outstanding project, I'm so proud of you, carry on !

The same!
I'm moroccan and proud of dubai.

[AltinD]

My criticism from my journey on Sunday:

1. Not enough gates to access/leave the paid areas of the stations
2. Many of the automated ticket machines were broken
3. Metro presentation brochures available only in Arabic (I didn't saw any in English, probably they run out of them)
4. Floor tiling in the platforms was kind of cheap
5. The announcements on the trains: "The next station is (long pouse) Union". It sounded strange. They should say: "The next stop is Union Station"
6. By the time they announce: "Please stay clear of the doors" on both Arabic and English, the platform and train doors are already closed.
7. Not very clear and very small directional signages. For example in the City Center station that has 4 accesses/Exits, it was not written in any of them what exit to take to go there, only 'XYZ Str West' and 'XYZ Str East'. I was lucky to remember well from where I came from.
8. Signs directing people to the Metro Stations on both City Center (Mall) and Mall Of Emirates were really, really tiny and if not familiar with the place one will really struggle to find them.
9. On the stations, on top of the platform doors, were written only the names of the next 2 - 3 stations on that directions and the very last one, not all of them. That was really strange and I can't understand the logic behind that, unless they opted to list only the stations within the same fare zone.


BTW: There was a (false) fire alarm on the underground Khaleed Bin Al Waleed Station that stopped the entire system. First we were stuck 15 minutes on Mall Of Emirates and then 1 hour at Nakheel Harbour & Tower Station. They first said that once they get clear-to-go info, the trains will run till Al Jafilya Station and from there feeder buses will transfer passengers to the other stations, but then they got all-clear and the journey continued as normal.

[aquablue]

Dubai's system is so amazing that it surpasses every other metro ever built!

[city_thing]

Are you serious?

It's good... but the best ever?

[AltinD]

source

[rheintram]

Originally Posted by aquablue

Dubai's system is so amazing that it surpasses every other metro ever built!

So far it's only one line and it ran for about a week. So your judgement is a little premature.

[JustinB]

Originally Posted by aquablue

Dubai's system is so amazing that it surpasses every other metro ever built!

Whoa, Whoa! Calm down!

It's may be new, but it's a little premature to call it "the best"

[LoverOfDubai]

Before everyone criticizes aquablue, let him/her have an opportunity to explain why the Dubai Metro "surpasses every other metro ever built."

I actually think aquablue is on to something. I understand the the system is very new, but I think it has the potential to be an outstanding system.

Here are some things that quickly come to mind as to what makes the Dubai Metro a great system:

• the automation of the system means trains can run like clockwork
• the system can have a minimum headway of 90 seconds
• the current fare structure is attractive
• the stations and trains are aesthetically pleasing
• the RTA's attempts to make the Dubai Metro part of a multi-modal system

But I can also think of negatives:

• the current hours of service, especially on Friday (I am not too concerned about this because I expect hours to increase over the next few years)
• the lack of information as to which stations will open and when (also not really an issue considering all stations on both lines should be opened by 2011)
• the criticisms AltinD listed above
• there are other things, but they relate to things outside of the RTA's control

[LoverOfDubai]

In addition to my post above, this article provides a great analysis of the errors made by the RTA. I completely agree with what Ashfaq Ahmed has to say (except for saying that there is currently only one useful station).

Dubai Metro, room for improvement
Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
18 September 2009

The Dubai Metro is an amazing project designed to provide an efficient mode of alternate transport to ease traffic congestion in the city.

The kind of response the Metro has received from the public since its 'soft launch' is also beyond expectations. The Metro, once fully operational, is definitely going to change the lifestyle in Dubai, which has now joined the league of the world's 'mega metropolises'.

The Metro project was launched in a record time of just four years. But it seems that the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rushed things somewhat to meet the much publicised target launch date of 09/09/09. The result is that only 30 per cent of the stations - 10 out of 29 - are currently open, reducing the options of commuters. The Metro is currently good for 'joy riders', but not very practical for commuters who might want to use it to go to work.

As expected, residents thronged the trains during the first two days of operation and the Metro was practically paralysed for hours. This left many people infuriated as they had to wait for hours due to intermittent service. Though the RTA blamed the delays on mischievousness, the real reason passengers resorted to pushing emergency buttons was that the platform doors did not open on several occasions.

The Metro operator has faced problems in attempting to synchronise the train doors with the platform doors - something that was evident even during the test run before the official launch.

The excuse that problems arose only because thousands of people crowded the stations during the first few days of the Metro's launch is not acceptable. The RTA and Serco, the Metro's operator, should have been fully prepared. High demand is part and parcel of mass rapid transit systems around the world and should not have caused operational difficulties.

The glitches certainly disappointed many first-time passengers. They came to give the Metro a chance and left with a new appreciation for their vehicles after suffering delays and inconvenience. The choice of stations opened during the first phase of operations is also questionable. Out of the 10 stations opened, only three are located on Shaikh Zayed Road - the busiest road in the emirate. For almost half of the city, including all the new areas, there is only one convenient station in operation - the one at Mall of the Emirates.

A few more stations should have been opened on Shaikh Zayed Road, especially those that are almost ready. Better yet, it would have been more advisable to wait a few more months before launching the Dh28 billion project to ensure trouble-free operations.

Apart from the first couple of days of mad rush on the trains, the RTA is expecting the Metro to carry joy riders during the Eid holidays and for a couple of weeks after that. Then what? It remains to be seen how practical this skeleton service will prove for commuters who hope to use it for their daily trips to work.

The complicated fare system based on zones and Nol Cards has been another stumbling block. It certainly wasn't helpful to implement the unified automated fare collection system on the day of the Metro's launch.

It would have been better if Nol Cards had been introduced on public buses a few months prior to the Metro launch to get passengers used to the new system.

Currently, bus passengers are suffering the most due to out-of-service ticket vending machines at bus stops, which make it impossible for them to top up their cards.

There is a need to launch a comprehensive campaign to educate commuters who travel by bus, rather than just trying to persuade motorists to leave their cars at home.

Even the introduction of the Nol Cards was incomplete. Only silver and gold Nol Cards have been introduced, as well Nol Red Tickets for single journeys. The RTA has failed to introduce monthly travel passes, which are a must for frequent travellers. Similarly, passes for students, senior citizens and people with special needs are also not yet available. All these should have been ready before the Metro launch.

Although there are stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, the Metro may not be of much use to airline passengers because they are not allowed to carry heavy baggage on the trains. This strict policy makes the two Metro stations at the airport almost redundant.

Another issue is the linking of the Metro with the public buses. The RTA has started 21 feeder bus routes and deployed 200 buses, but passengers are still confused about how to make use of the service. The majority of Metro users are still travelling by car to the stations.

The various modes of public transport should be efficiently integrated so that people choose to leave their cars at home. Spreading awareness is key to achieving the target of 30 per cent of road trips in the emirate being taken on public transport.

Despite all the temporary glitches that the RTA is looking into, it is commendable that Dubai has achieved the dream of having the most modern Metro system in place. In time, this will change the commuting habits of the emirate's residents. The Dubai Government is known for its ability to smooth out any wrinkles in the early stages of its projects and has always excelled.

Since the Metro is crucial for the growth of Dubai and its socioeconomic, measures need to be taken to win the confidence of its existing passengers as well as attract new ones. The availability of a reliable, efficient and punctual transport system would serve to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

The RTA faces a big challenge in operating and maintaining the Metro system efficiently, thereby making it a success. Only then will it achieve its aim of providing 'a smooth transport system for everybody'.

In introducing one of the most advanced mass rapid transit systems in the world, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has taken a massive step towards revolutionising public transport in the emirate. That everything has not gone exactly as planned is only to be expected with such an ambitious undertaking. Given time, the RTA will no doubt deliver a Metro that the country can be proud of.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles.../10350118.html

[deasine]

Originally Posted by LoverOfDubai

Here are some things that quickly come to mind as to what makes the Dubai Metro a great system:

• the automation of the system means trains can run like clockwork
• the system can have a minimum headway of 90 seconds
• the current fare structure is attractive
• the stations and trains are aesthetically pleasing
• the RTA's attempts to make the Dubai Metro part of a multi-modal system

But these points are found in many other automated systems. I'll just bring up Vancouver's SkyTrain System: aside from our fare structure, though it is incredibly convenient if you are travelling multiple modes in longer distances, it meets practically every point you have.

Let me first be clear on this, I'm quite jealous of Dubai's system, especially since it's taking away (or about to take away) the title of the longest automated system from Vancouver.

[AltinD]

It seams the reason why many of the automated ticket vending machines are "breaking down" might be the currency notes getting stuck on them ...

[kub86]

I saw some videos where there's relaxing music playing in the back (through the train speakers) and in other videos i didn't hear it. When/where does the music play??

[AltinD]

When I drove the Metro the music was playing during the entire trip(s). It was a repetitive one though.

[venom6]

Congratulations for Dubai to the metro line!

[harsh1802]

Originally Posted by Imre

as I promised

23/September/2009

my second ride of Dubai Metro , spent 7 hours inside the metro and some stations