An early morning trip on Dubai Tram

Dhanusha Gokulan (Reporter) / 12 November 2014

The Dubai Tram has opened to the public, and residents are excited to try out the new means of transport. 

Lorenzo and his grandfather. Photo by Dhanusha Gokulan and Dhes Handumon/ Khaleej Times

The Dubai Tram has opened to the public, and residents are excited to try out the new means of transport.
Our eager reporter, who like several other passengers hopped on to the tram early today morning, says: 'The tram started at 6.30 am and people had already gathered outside waiting to try it. It’s really exciting to be on the tram, and even more so is to see how excited everyone else is.”
She boarded the tram at Al Sufuoh station at 7.00 am, took a complete round of the route and got off at JBR1. A lot of residents, she says, went out of their way to try the tram. Many took detours on their way to work, just to commute by it.
A little boy Lorenzo and his grandfather, who usually spend their mornings walking to Dubai Marina Mall, decided to take the tram.
They said, “We spend time every morning together. Usually we walk or take a taxi to Dubai Marina Mall, but today we boarded the tram from Marina Towers, and are having a good time.” 

Truda and Dolman Wellam. Photo by Dhanusha Gokulan and Dhes Handumon/ Khaleej Times

Many people find the Dubai Tram very clean compared to others they have travelled in around the world. A tourist couple visiting the city, Truda and Dolman Wellam said, “We heard about the newly launched Dubai Tram and decided to come see it. It is really very clean.”
Dhanusha cites that everyone has had a similar response with regards to the cleanliness of the tram when compared with their home countries.
Standing guard at each station are three to four policemen, ensuring passenger traffic is smooth.

Some of the first passengers onboard Dubai Tram. Photo by Dhanusha Gokulan and Dhes Handumon/ Khaleej Times

On another note, a few technical glitches have also been reported. The tram didn't halt at some stations, and doors failed to open on some of the stations where it halted. The tram slows down considerably around the Palm Jumeriah stations, and halts for about a minute or two at signals along the way.
But the passengers are very cooperative. After all, it's only the first day.

What started as a joyride with about 20 people on the tram, with the day progressing, has seen many more people hopping onto it.