Dubai Metro Blue Line Set to Transform Urban Mobility
The Blue Line, opening in 2029, aims to serve approximately one million residents and significantly reduce traffic congestion.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, a significant expansion of the metro network aimed at enhancing urban mobility, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting sustainable urban development.
The Blue Line is scheduled to open on September 9, 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Red Line, which was inaugurated in 2009. This 30-kilometre extension will connect key residential and commercial districts, ultimately serving nearly one million residents.
The project carries an estimated cost of Dh20.5 billion and has been awarded to a consortium comprised of leading Turkish and Chinese firms, MAPA, LIMAK, and CRRC, following an international tender process that attracted 15 global infrastructure companies.
According to the RTA Director General, Mattar Al Tayer, the Blue Line is a pivotal advancement in Dubai’s ambition to become a leading global city, enhancing the quality of life and facilitating economic growth.
The new line aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, providing sustainable mobility solutions.
The Blue Line will consist of two primary routes that are designed for seamless integration with the existing Red and Green Metro lines:
Route 1 (Green Line Connection): This 21-kilometre route will connect Al Khor at the Green Line to Academic City through ten stations, including Dubai Festival City and Ras Al Khor.
Route 2 (Red Line Connection): The 9-kilometre section will link Centrepoint at the Red Line to International City, featuring four stations, with a connection to Route 1.
The new line will introduce several key features:
A 1.3-km bridge over Dubai Creek, the first such structure for the metro.
A prominently designed station at Dubai Creek Harbour by the architectural firm SOM.
International City (1), the metro network's largest underground interchange station, covering over 44,000 square meters and projected to handle up to 350,000 passengers daily.
All stations and infrastructure will meet platinum-grade green building standards, setting a high standard for environmentally friendly transit projects in the region.
The Blue Line is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by 20% along major corridors, with estimates suggesting a potential increase of up to 25% in property values near metro stations.
Economic projections indicate that the project could generate Dh56.5 billion in economic and environmental returns by 2040. Additionally, the line will provide direct connections to Dubai International Airport, allowing travel times between key locations to range from 10 to 25 minutes.
With a designed capacity of 46,000 passengers per hour in each direction and train intervals of only two minutes, the Blue Line is set to accommodate 200,000 daily riders by 2030 and 320,000 daily riders by 2040. Upon its completion, Dubai’s train system, including both the metro and tram networks, will extend to 131 kilometres with 78 stations, further solidifying Dubai's status as home to the world’s longest driverless metro network.
A dedicated train depot will be constructed in Al Ruwaiyah 3 to facilitate operations and maintenance of the Blue Line.
The Dubai Creek Harbour station, designed by SOM, will feature over 10,800 square metres of space, capable of serving up to 160,000 passengers daily.
Furthermore, the International City (1) station will serve as a major interchange hub, reinforcing the integrated nature of the metro system.
Overall, the Blue Line represents a comprehensive enhancement of Dubai's public transport framework, aiming to meet the demands of the city's growing population while adhering to sustainability benchmarks.
The Blue Line is scheduled to open on September 9, 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Red Line, which was inaugurated in 2009. This 30-kilometre extension will connect key residential and commercial districts, ultimately serving nearly one million residents.
The project carries an estimated cost of Dh20.5 billion and has been awarded to a consortium comprised of leading Turkish and Chinese firms, MAPA, LIMAK, and CRRC, following an international tender process that attracted 15 global infrastructure companies.
According to the RTA Director General, Mattar Al Tayer, the Blue Line is a pivotal advancement in Dubai’s ambition to become a leading global city, enhancing the quality of life and facilitating economic growth.
The new line aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, providing sustainable mobility solutions.
The Blue Line will consist of two primary routes that are designed for seamless integration with the existing Red and Green Metro lines:
Route 1 (Green Line Connection): This 21-kilometre route will connect Al Khor at the Green Line to Academic City through ten stations, including Dubai Festival City and Ras Al Khor.
Route 2 (Red Line Connection): The 9-kilometre section will link Centrepoint at the Red Line to International City, featuring four stations, with a connection to Route 1.
The new line will introduce several key features:
A 1.3-km bridge over Dubai Creek, the first such structure for the metro.
A prominently designed station at Dubai Creek Harbour by the architectural firm SOM.
International City (1), the metro network's largest underground interchange station, covering over 44,000 square meters and projected to handle up to 350,000 passengers daily.
All stations and infrastructure will meet platinum-grade green building standards, setting a high standard for environmentally friendly transit projects in the region.
The Blue Line is expected to alleviate traffic congestion by 20% along major corridors, with estimates suggesting a potential increase of up to 25% in property values near metro stations.
Economic projections indicate that the project could generate Dh56.5 billion in economic and environmental returns by 2040. Additionally, the line will provide direct connections to Dubai International Airport, allowing travel times between key locations to range from 10 to 25 minutes.
With a designed capacity of 46,000 passengers per hour in each direction and train intervals of only two minutes, the Blue Line is set to accommodate 200,000 daily riders by 2030 and 320,000 daily riders by 2040. Upon its completion, Dubai’s train system, including both the metro and tram networks, will extend to 131 kilometres with 78 stations, further solidifying Dubai's status as home to the world’s longest driverless metro network.
A dedicated train depot will be constructed in Al Ruwaiyah 3 to facilitate operations and maintenance of the Blue Line.
The Dubai Creek Harbour station, designed by SOM, will feature over 10,800 square metres of space, capable of serving up to 160,000 passengers daily.
Furthermore, the International City (1) station will serve as a major interchange hub, reinforcing the integrated nature of the metro system.
Overall, the Blue Line represents a comprehensive enhancement of Dubai's public transport framework, aiming to meet the demands of the city's growing population while adhering to sustainability benchmarks.
