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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed lays foundation stone for Dubai Metro Blue Line

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed lays foundation stone for Dubai Metro Blue Line

Dubai Eye7 hours ago

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Dubai Metro Blue Line.
The 30 km project is set to reshape mobility across nine key districts of the city.
Part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the line will connect areas expected to be home to more than one million residents.
It features 14 stations, including a world-record-setting structure: the Emaar Properties Station — soon to be the highest metro station in the world at 74 metres tall.
Designed by global architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the same team behind the Burj Khalifa, the station is inspired by the idea of a 'crossing gateway'.
The iconic station will cover 11,000 square metres, accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily, and become a new urban icon for the city. It will serve the estimated 40,000 residents of Dubai Creek Harbour, in addition to visitors.
With the completion of the Blue Line project, Dubai's rail network will expand to a total of 131 km, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains.
. @HHShkMohd attends the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a key milestone in the expansion of the city's public transportation network. Spanning 30 km and comprising 14 stations, the new line is set to transform mobility across nine key districts,… pic.twitter.com/IVrG2uUGhP
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 9, 2025
. @HHShkMohd attends the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a key milestone in the expansion of the city's public transportation network. Spanning 30 km and comprising 14 stations, the new line is set to transform mobility across nine key districts,… pic.twitter.com/2kfcxiFB3t
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 9, 2025
The Blue Line will link Dubai's existing Green Line at Creek Station and with the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, connecting residential areas, educational hubs and development zones.
The first route runs from Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line, located in Al Jaddaf, passing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor, before reaching International City 1, which includes an underground interchange station.
The route continues towards International City 2 and 3, extending to Dubai Silicon Oasis and up to Academic City. This section spans 21 km and connects 10 stations.
The second route of the Blue Line starts from Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya, passing through Mirdif and Al Warqa, concluding at International City 1 Interchange Station.
This route spans 9 km in length and links four stations. The project also includes the construction of a metro depot at Al Ruwayah 3.
By 2040, the Blue Line is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20 per cent on serviced roads and provide a 20-minute direct connection to Dubai International Airport.
Emaar has secured naming rights for its flagship station for 10 years, starting from the station's planned opening in 2029. Announcements about additional naming rights across the line are expected soon.
Key elements of the Blue Line
The Dubai Metro Blue Line features 14 stations, including three interchange stations: Creek Station at Al Jaddaf on the Green Line, Centrepoint Station at Al Rashidiya on the Red Line, and International City 1 Station on the Blue Line, in addition to the iconic station located in Dubai Creek Harbour. The line includes nine elevated stations and five underground stations.
The line has all the features of an integrated transport system, including public bus bays, taxi stands, dedicated areas for bike and electric scooter racks, and parking spaces for People of Determination.
The maximum capacity of the Dubai Metro Blue Line exceeds 850,000 passengers per day, based on the scale of the stations included within the project scope. Passenger numbers are expected to reach 200,000 per day by 2030, rising to 320,000 per day by 2040.
Fifth strategic project
Dubai Metro Blue Line represents the fifth strategic public transport project, joining the ranks of the existing red and green lines of the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro Route 2020.
Upon the completion of the Blue Line, Dubai's total railway network will extend from 101 km to 131 km. This includes 120 km for the Dubai Metro and 11 km for Dubai Tram.
The number of metro and tram stations will increase from 64 to 78, encompassing 67 stations for the Dubai Metro and 11 stations for the Dubai Tram.
Additionally, the fleet will expand from 140 to 168 trains, including 157 for the Dubai Metro and 11 for the Dubai Tram.
Setting new benchmarks
In addition to the iconic Emaar Properties Station, it includes the first Dubai Metro bridge crossing Dubai Creek, stretching 1,300 metres.
The line is also home to the largest underground interchange station in the network, spanning over 44,000 square metres with a projected capacity of 350,000 passengers per day.
Notably, the Blue Line is the first transport project in Dubai to fully comply with green building standards, achieving Platinum Category certification.
50,000 university students
Key areas served by the Blue Line include Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City, noted for their immense development potential, as well as International City, home to Dragon Mart and large residential complexes visited by over 200,000 residents and visitors.
It also serves residential neighbourhoods like Al Rashidiya, Al Warqaa and Mirdif. It also extends to Dubai Silicon Oasis, recognised as one of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan's Urban Centres, and Academic City, which is projected to accommodate over 50,000 university students by 2029.
Station designs have been planned to maximise space efficiency, thereby reducing construction, operation and maintenance costs. Additionally, these designs aim for seamless integration with various transportation modes, including public buses and taxis.
Economic return
The Dubai Metro Blue Line project aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, offering economic, social and environmental returns.
By 2040, the project is projected to yield a benefit-cost ratio of 2.60 (AED 2.60 in benefits for every AED 1 spent).
The total anticipated benefits will exceed AED 56.5 billion by 2040. These benefits include substantial savings in time and fuel, reduced accident-related fatalities and lower carbon emissions.
The Blue Line is also expected to decrease traffic congestion on its served routes by 20 per cent and appreciate the value of land and properties near stations by up to 25 per cent.

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Mohammed bin Rashid lays foundation stone for Metro Blue Line
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line yesterday, marking a milestone in the expansion of the city's public transportation network. The new line will span 30 kilometres and comprise 14 stations, transforming mobility across nine districts projected to house over one million residents according to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. 'During the laying of the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro's Blue Line, which has a total benefit valued at AED 56 billion, the station represents an architectural icon that will be added to Dubai's cultural icons. It will be the first station on the Blue Line, which will extend 30 kilometers, bringing the total length of Dubai's railways to 131 kilometers and 78 stations. 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Upon completion of the Blue Line project, Dubai's rail network will expand to 131 kilometres total, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), briefed Sheikh Mohammed on the Metro's expansion. Dubai Metro ridership grows to 275.4 million passengers in 2024 Al Tayer stated that the Dubai Metro has transported over 2.527 billion passengers from its launch on 9 September 2009 through the end of 2024, recording a daily average of 900,000 passengers in 2024. Ridership has grown from 38.887 million in 2010 to 69 million in 2011, reflecting a growth rate of 77 per cent. The figure continued rising to over 109 million passengers in 2012, before surpassing 200 million in 2017, jumping to 260 million in 2023 and hitting 275.4 million in 2024. Studies indicate the number of Dubai Metro passengers is expected to exceed 300 million in 2026 and reach 320 million by 2031. The service began in 2009 with 10 stations, reaching 26 stations in 2010 and growing to 46 stations in 2011. The Dubai Tram started operations in 2014, and the number of metro and tram stations rose to 56. In 2021, the launch of Route 2020 added seven more stations, raising the total to 64. The Blue Line will add 14 new stations, bringing the total to 78. The number of trains rose from 16 at the Metro's launch in 2009 to 44 in 2010, reaching 79 trains by 2011 and increasing to 90 with the Dubai Tram inauguration in 2014, further expanding to 140 by 2021. Blue Line capacity to exceed 850,000 daily passengers With the Blue Line coming into operation, the total number of trains will increase to 168, comprising 157 Metro trains and 11 Tram trains. 'The Blue Line comprises two main routes. The first runs from Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line, located in Al Jaddaf, passing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor, before reaching International City 1, which includes an underground interchange station. The route continues towards International City 2 and 3, extending to Dubai Silicon Oasis and up to Academic City. This section spans 21 km and connects 10 stations,' Al Tayer said. 'The second route of the Blue Line starts from Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line in Al Rashidiya. It passes through Mirdif and Al Warqa, concluding at International City 1 Interchange Station. This route measures 9 km in length and links four stations. The project also includes the construction of a metro depot at Al Ruwayah 3,' he added. The Emaar Properties Station will stand 74 metres tall and 38 metres wide, offering passengers an immersive spatial experience. The exterior features a towering facade that harmonises with the area's architectural identity, with a central gateway allowing natural light to flood down to the platform level. The interior design features towering walls finished in natural textures and warm, earthy tones. The material palette includes Jura limestone and bronze metal wall panels at the platform level, complemented by granite flooring. Glass ceiling panels at both lobby and platform levels allow natural light to permeate the space. The station will serve the estimated 40,000 residents of Dubai Creek Harbour, in addition to visitors. Emaar has secured naming rights for the station for ten years, starting from its inauguration in 2029. The Blue Line consists of 14 stations, including three interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya and International City 1, plus the Emaar Properties Station in Dubai Creek Harbour. Daily ridership on the Blue Line is projected to reach 320,000 passengers by 2040. The line will be the first Dubai Metro line to cross Dubai Creek on a 1,300-metre-long viaduct. It includes nine elevated stations and five underground stations, with features including public bus bays, taxi stands, dedicated areas for bike and electric scooter racks, and parking spaces for People of Determination. The maximum capacity of the Dubai Metro Blue Line exceeds 850,000 passengers per day. Passenger numbers are expected to reach 200,000 per day by 2030, rising to 320,000 per day by 2040. The Blue Line connects existing and future high population density areas, estimated to reach around one million residents by 2040. Key areas served include Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Festival City, International City (home to Dragon Mart and large residential complexes visited by over 200,000 residents and visitors), and residential neighbourhoods like Al Rashidiya, Al Warqaa, and Mirdif. The line extends to Dubai Silicon Oasis, recognised as one of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan's Urban Centres, and Academic City, projected to accommodate over 50,000 university students by 2029. Dubai Metro Blue Line achieves first platinum green building certification Initial studies by RTA indicate that by 2040, the project is projected to yield a benefit-cost ratio of 2.60 (AED2.60 in benefits for every AED1 spent). The total anticipated benefits will exceed AED56.5 billion by 2040, including substantial savings in time and fuel, reduced accident-related fatalities, and lower carbon emissions. The Blue Line is expected to decrease traffic congestion on its served routes by 20 per cent and appreciate the value of land and properties near stations by up to 25 per cent. The Blue Line represents the first transport project in Dubai to fully comply with green building standards, achieving Platinum Category certification. Station designs have been planned to maximise space efficiency, reducing construction, operation and maintenance costs whilst ensuring seamless integration with various transportation modes. Dubai Metro maintains its position globally with a current total length of 90 kilometres. This network includes around 52 kilometres for the Red Line, 23 kilometres for the Green Line, and 15 kilometres for Route 2020. The network comprises 53 stations and 129 trains. The Dubai Metro has achieved a 99.7 per cent punctuality rate and represents nearly 60 per cent of total usage across all public transportation modes in Dubai. The system played a role in boosting Dubai's competitiveness for hosting international events, including Expo 2020 Dubai, which coincided with the launch of Dubai Metro Route 2020. The Blue Line represents the fifth strategic public transport project, joining the existing red and green lines of the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro Route 2020.

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