“This is Dubai, we say what we do, and do what we say.” This is the tweet with which His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, introduced seven new Dubai Metro stations to the world.
He took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the toil that led to his inauguration of Route 2020, a 15km extension of Dubai Metro’s Red Line. “Dh11 billion is the cost of the project…12,000 engineers and technicians, 50 trains, seven stations…and 80 million working hours later, we deliver what we promised on time, as we promised.”
The route will open to the public in September.
Sheikh Mohammed first arrived at the Jebel Ali station and rode a Metro train to Expo 2020 Station. The station boasts a unique design featuring the wings of an aircraft, “signifying Dubai’s future drive towards greater innovation”, the Government of Dubai Media Office said.
Sheikh Mohammed unveiled the memorial of Expo 2020 Station, an artwork inspired by the phrase ‘I believe in God’ written in Arabic and taken from his poem The Beginning of the Fifty. The poem, which encapsulates faith in God and wisdom, motivates the youth to achieve the best and raise the UAE’s stature.
The memorial, designed by international artist El Seed, is decorated in blue to match the predominant colour of the station. The monument measures 1.5×3.5 metres and is placed on a 1×4 metre base. The selection of the colour blue symbolises stability, loyalty, trust, intelligence and peace.
During the inauguration, Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE’s journey towards sustainable development is backed by quality projects and “an infrastructure that is globally acclaimed for its efficiency and reliability”. Developed by Emirati talent with the support of international expertise, these projects meet the “highest global standards”.
“The UAE has exceptional goals and ambitions. Today, we are moving with confidence, determination and a clear vision to attain the highest levels of excellence in various fields. Our objective is to provide people everything that ensures their wellbeing, stability and happiness and establish a prosperous future for the coming generations.”
‘Unprecedented challenges’
Sheikh Mohammed said the world is entering a new phase “which brings unprecedented challenges” that some may not be prepared to deal with. “However, we have a strategy designed to tide over unforeseen challenges and create a positive future. Our nation is equipped with the plans, competencies and expertise needed to navigate these challenging global circumstances. We have the ability to overcome all obstacles while sustaining our progress and generating new opportunities,” he added.
Route capacity
Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), explained that Route 2020 has a capacity of 46,000 riders per hour in both directions. “The RTA’s studies expect the number of riders using Route 2020 to reach 125,000 per day in 2021, and 275,000 by 2030. Studies also reveal that the Expo 2020 Station is expected to record about 35,000 daily Expo visitors during weekdays, and the number will increase to 47,000 during the weekends.
“This number accounts for 29 per cent of the total expected number of daily visitors to the Expo.”
