Route 2020 of Dubai Metro inaugurated

RTA Director-General Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, explains about Route 2020 to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Our Correspondent
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has officially inaugurated the Route 2020 Project, Wam reported.
The project involves the 15 km extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line from Jebel Ali Station to Expo 2020 Station. The AED 11-billion Route 2020 project, which links seven stations, will be open to the public in September this year.
Developed by Emirati talent with the support of international expertise, these projects meet the highest global standards, Sheikh Mohammed said on the occasion. Upon arrival at Jebel Ali Metro Station, Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage watched a video about the Route 2020 Project built as part of the leadership’s vision to promote the sustainable development of the emirate. The project was focused on building globally benchmarked infrastructure and services that meet the UAE’s aspirations themed ‘Towards the Next 50 Years’.
The project is part of Road Transport Authority’s (RTA) master plan to provide integrated multi-modal mass transit systems comprising of the metro, tram, buses and marine transport. The video shed light on the communities served by Route 2020 – The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and the Expo 2020 site, which have a combined population of about 270,000.
The track has 11.8 km elevated track and 3.2 km underground track and links seven stations (one Interchange station with the Red Line, one iconic station at EXPO 2020 site, three elevated stations and two underground stations).
At Jebel Ali Station, an interchange station that spans 8,800 sq. m in area with total capacity of 320,000 riders a day, Sheikh Mohammed boarded the new metro train, which features some modifications to the interior design of the metro carriages. The train stopped at Expo 2020 Station, which boasts a unique design featuring the wings of an aircraft, signifying Dubai’s future drive towards greater innovation.
The design of the new stations enables integration with the public transportation system. Every station has bus and taxi bays as well as stops for pick-up and drop-off.
There will be a key train service to link Terminal 1 Station and Terminal 3 Station of the Dubai International Airport with Expo 2020 Station. There will be a bus service for passengers departing from Expo Station to the Terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport to ease the movement of riders between the two airports. In the near future, Route 2020 will be extended 3.4 km from Expo 2020 Station to Al Maktoum International Airport to ensure a modern metro link between the two airports.
With the opening of Route 2020, the total length of the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines will increase to 90 km. At the same time, the total length of rail networks in Dubai will rise to 101 km (90km for the metro and 11km for the tram).