Dubai heralds new era in integrated public transport as Shaikh Hamdan flags off the tram at Sufouh; service available from today.
Shaikh Hamdan at the control of the first tram to roll out. — Wam
The future of public transport is here in Dubai. Commuting and connecting to different modes of transport will never be the same again with the sleek Dubai Tram arriving in style on Tuesday. Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, formally launched the system at Al Sufouh as fireworks lit the way along glittering streets on its first run. The excitement was palpable and security was tight as the Crown Prince boarded the tram with Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group; shaikhs and other senior officials on its first run. As the tram with the dignitaries snaked through the unusually calm streets on a tranquil Tuesday evening, the iconic Burj Al Arab beamed with images of the new addition. People drove by taking in the display. Traffic was light and the weather was perfect for the occasion.
Roads near the line were guarded by officers of the Dubai Police. Khaleej Times spoke to some of the residents who had gathered near the Knowledge Village, Media City, and Jumeirah Lake Towers tram stations to have a glimpse of the tram.
Amer Abboud, a student at Knowledge Village, said: “I live in Dubai Marina and I have been looking forward to the tram opening for years now. Mainly because I know the traffic situation will get better. It looks very promising, neat, and it is exciting.”
Fireworks light up the sky as the first tram passes by the Media City Station during its opening on Tuesday night. — KT photo by Dhes Handumon
“I’ve been hearing the constant ‘ding’ sound that the Dubai Tram makes when arriving at stations. I thas become something that we’re slowly getting accustomed to. It is wonderful that it is finally here,” Prathiba Shenoy, a resident of Dubai Marina, said. The route opens to the public on Wednesday and timings will be from 6.30am till 1.30am of the following day. On Fridays, it will ply from 9am till 1.30am the next day.Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), who accompanied Shaikh Hamdan on the first run of the tram,
lauded His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his vision to provide an advanced transit system that served JBR, Marina and Sufouh.
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Shaikh Mohammed wanted an integrated and comprehensive solution for the area following several projects that had come up in the Marina and JBR. “Through an international consultant, the RTA did a study which concluded that the area needs an integrated solution involving radical improvements of the road network, intersections and a mass transit system linked to the Dubai Metro and Monorail of the Palm Jumeirah,” he said.
Earlier, telecom provider du said it will offer WiFi connectivity on the service. du said the initiative was another step towards realising the Smart City future envisioned by the UAE’s leaders.
Cabins in the tram are divided into three classes, gold class, silver class, with a separate compartment for women and children. Gold class tickets are priced at Dh6, which is twice the normal ticket price. Two stations (JLT and Dubai Marina) are connected to their respective metro stations. Transfer from tram to metro will be free of cost, if the passenger uses the next mode of transport within half an hour. However, connectivity to the Nakheel Palm Jumeirah Monorail does not fall under the RTA and passengers will have to pay Dh25 to use the monorail.
If a commuter travels over 3km on the tram and metro, he/she will be charged for the journey based on the zones. For example, if the passenger has travelled one zone using a Red ticket, he will be charged Dh4; if he has travelled two zones, he will be charged Dh6; and three zones and above the journey is priced at Dh8.50. Prices will vary with subscription packages: silver, gold, and blue cards.
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