Dubai Metro Blue Line: Opening date, planned route, map and more
The Dubai Metro is set to get a huge upgrade.
By 2029, the Dubai Metro Blue Line, an entirely new line, will join both the Red and Green Lines to expand the public transport offering across Dubai.
Dubai's RTA has confirmed that work on the Dhs20.5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line project is underway and will be up and running sooner than you think.
When will Dubai Metro Blue Line open?
The RTA revealed in December 2024 that the new Blue Line will start operating in 2029.
The project is scheduled to be completed on the date of its 20th anniversary of operations Sunday September 9 2029.
Once completed, it is expected to serve 200,000 passengers every day by 2030 with this number rising to 320,000 by 2040 as the Dubai population continues to grow.
تستمر #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في تنفيذ مشاريع نوعية تسهم في تعزيز مكانة #دبي العالمية وتؤكد ريادتها في مجال تطوير البنى التحتية، حيث تستعرض في المعرض والمؤتمر العالمي للسكك الحديدية والنقل والبنية التحتية #جلوبال_ريل2024، مشروع الخط الأزرق لـ #مترو_دبي، الذي يحقق الربط والتكامل… pic.twitter.com/qqosqn6rPC
— RTA (@rta_dubai) October 8, 2024
At the end of April 2025, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, chaired the Blue Line Forum meeting, attended by Dubai Metro Blue Line stakeholders.
Sharing the development on X, it was revealed how the meeting reviewed the latest developments and overall progress of the Blue Line Project.
These regular meetings reflect RTA's commitment to informed decision-making at every stage of the project and ensure the project stays on schedule and is delivered as planned.
At an RTA workshop, it was also revealed that the Dubai Metro Blue Line will cut traffic by 20 percent in nine neighbourhoods once built.
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, chaired the Blue Line Forum meeting, attended by the heads of the Dubai Metro Blue Line Project Consortium, and the supervising consultant.
The meeting discussed the latest developments…
— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 28, 2025
Dubai Metro Blue Line stations
In July 2024, the RTA announced that the Dubai Metro will eventually more than double its number of stations operating in the city by 2040.
The only project currently announced for this transformation of the public transport system is the Dubai Metro Blue Line.
It will feature 14 stations, with nine above ground and five underground, and extend over 30km.
It will serve nine vital areas of the city and connect with the Red Line at Centrepoint Station and the Green Line at Al Khor Station.
These areas include Marsa, Dubai Creek, Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, and urban areas such as Silicon Oasis, Academic City
Dubai Metro plans will eventually more than double the current number of stations. (Credit: Government of Dubai)
Despite work only beginning on the Dubai Metro Blue Line this year, RTA and Dubai Police have discussed the requirements of the project and what will ensure the safety of city residents.
Speaking in February 2024, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, announced that work had begun.
He said: 'RTA is consistently expanding and upgrading the public transport network.
'2024 is set to mark the commencement of the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, which will stretch over a total of 30km, with 15.5 km running underground and 14.5 km above ground.
You might also like: New Dubai Metro Blue Line map: What the new route could look like
'The project encompasses 14 stations including three interchange stations, connecting key areas in Dubai to cope with the projected demographic growth of surrounding areas to one million people as per the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040.
Dubai's #RTA announced that in 2023, the combined ridership of public transport and shared mobility, including Dubai Metro, Tram, buses, marine transport, shared mobility services, and taxis, reached around 702 million, up 13% from 2022's 621.4 million. The average daily… pic.twitter.com/VDDay5H3wn — RTA (@rta_dubai) February 18, 2024
'It also integrates with the Red and Green lines of the Metro, offering a direct link between Dubai International Airport and nine principal areas situated along its route. The journey time between these destinations is expected to vary from 10 to 25 minutes,' added Al Tayer.
Plans for Dubai Metro Blue Line were first announced in November 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
At the time, HH Sheikh Mohammed said: 'The Blue Line Route of the Dubai Metro… (will) cost 18 billion dirhams.'
But this estimated cost has since risen to Dhs20.5 billion following the announcement, in December 2024, of a consortium of three major construction companies to build the project.
Turkish firms MAPA and Limak, as well as Chinese construction company CRRC will form a consortium to build the project.
HH Sheikh Mohammed also confirmed where the Blue Line will operate when the plans were first announced.
He added: '[The Dubai Metro Blue Line] covers areas with a population of up to a million people such as Marsa, Dubai Creek, Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, and urban areas such as Silicon Oasis, Academic City, and others. The new line will transport 320,000 new passengers daily.'
The Dubai Metro map (Credit: RTA.ae)
Interestingly, and unlike the current Metro Lines, just over half of the Dubai Metro Blue Line will be underground and the remainder above ground.
With hundreds of millions of riders on the Dubai Metro every year, the commencement of work on the Blue Line is bound to be exciting news for public transport users in Dubai.
Currently, Green Line stations are in Bur Dubai and Deira in the old town.
The Red Line connects the old city and airport to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Expo 2020 in the south-west.
rta.ae
More Dubai transport news
Dubai reveals plans for quicker bus journeys
More than 11,000 trips are made daily on city buses
6 wild public transport projects coming soon to Dubai
From Elon Musk's underground tunnel to a trackless tram
57 major road projects coming to Dubai by 2027 — here's what to expect
And how they'll improve your journey
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai Metro Blue Line: Opening date, planned route, map and more
The Dubai Metro is set to get a huge upgrade. By 2029, the Dubai Metro Blue Line, an entirely new line, will join both the Red and Green Lines to expand the public transport offering across Dubai. Dubai's RTA has confirmed that work on the Dhs20.5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line project is underway and will be up and running sooner than you think. When will Dubai Metro Blue Line open? The RTA revealed in December 2024 that the new Blue Line will start operating in 2029. The project is scheduled to be completed on the date of its 20th anniversary of operations Sunday September 9 2029. Once completed, it is expected to serve 200,000 passengers every day by 2030 with this number rising to 320,000 by 2040 as the Dubai population continues to grow. تستمر #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في تنفيذ مشاريع نوعية تسهم في تعزيز مكانة #دبي العالمية وتؤكد ريادتها في مجال تطوير البنى التحتية، حيث تستعرض في المعرض والمؤتمر العالمي للسكك الحديدية والنقل والبنية التحتية #جلوبال_ريل2024، مشروع الخط الأزرق لـ #مترو_دبي، الذي يحقق الربط والتكامل… — RTA (@rta_dubai) October 8, 2024 At the end of April 2025, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, chaired the Blue Line Forum meeting, attended by Dubai Metro Blue Line stakeholders. Sharing the development on X, it was revealed how the meeting reviewed the latest developments and overall progress of the Blue Line Project. These regular meetings reflect RTA's commitment to informed decision-making at every stage of the project and ensure the project stays on schedule and is delivered as planned. At an RTA workshop, it was also revealed that the Dubai Metro Blue Line will cut traffic by 20 percent in nine neighbourhoods once built. H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, chaired the Blue Line Forum meeting, attended by the heads of the Dubai Metro Blue Line Project Consortium, and the supervising consultant. The meeting discussed the latest developments… — RTA (@rta_dubai) April 28, 2025 Dubai Metro Blue Line stations In July 2024, the RTA announced that the Dubai Metro will eventually more than double its number of stations operating in the city by 2040. The only project currently announced for this transformation of the public transport system is the Dubai Metro Blue Line. It will feature 14 stations, with nine above ground and five underground, and extend over 30km. It will serve nine vital areas of the city and connect with the Red Line at Centrepoint Station and the Green Line at Al Khor Station. These areas include Marsa, Dubai Creek, Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, and urban areas such as Silicon Oasis, Academic City Dubai Metro plans will eventually more than double the current number of stations. (Credit: Government of Dubai) Despite work only beginning on the Dubai Metro Blue Line this year, RTA and Dubai Police have discussed the requirements of the project and what will ensure the safety of city residents. Speaking in February 2024, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, announced that work had begun. He said: 'RTA is consistently expanding and upgrading the public transport network. '2024 is set to mark the commencement of the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, which will stretch over a total of 30km, with 15.5 km running underground and 14.5 km above ground. You might also like: New Dubai Metro Blue Line map: What the new route could look like 'The project encompasses 14 stations including three interchange stations, connecting key areas in Dubai to cope with the projected demographic growth of surrounding areas to one million people as per the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. Dubai's #RTA announced that in 2023, the combined ridership of public transport and shared mobility, including Dubai Metro, Tram, buses, marine transport, shared mobility services, and taxis, reached around 702 million, up 13% from 2022's 621.4 million. The average daily… — RTA (@rta_dubai) February 18, 2024 'It also integrates with the Red and Green lines of the Metro, offering a direct link between Dubai International Airport and nine principal areas situated along its route. The journey time between these destinations is expected to vary from 10 to 25 minutes,' added Al Tayer. Plans for Dubai Metro Blue Line were first announced in November 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. At the time, HH Sheikh Mohammed said: 'The Blue Line Route of the Dubai Metro… (will) cost 18 billion dirhams.' But this estimated cost has since risen to Dhs20.5 billion following the announcement, in December 2024, of a consortium of three major construction companies to build the project. Turkish firms MAPA and Limak, as well as Chinese construction company CRRC will form a consortium to build the project. HH Sheikh Mohammed also confirmed where the Blue Line will operate when the plans were first announced. He added: '[The Dubai Metro Blue Line] covers areas with a population of up to a million people such as Marsa, Dubai Creek, Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, and urban areas such as Silicon Oasis, Academic City, and others. The new line will transport 320,000 new passengers daily.' The Dubai Metro map (Credit: Interestingly, and unlike the current Metro Lines, just over half of the Dubai Metro Blue Line will be underground and the remainder above ground. With hundreds of millions of riders on the Dubai Metro every year, the commencement of work on the Blue Line is bound to be exciting news for public transport users in Dubai. Currently, Green Line stations are in Bur Dubai and Deira in the old town. The Red Line connects the old city and airport to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Expo 2020 in the south-west. More Dubai transport news Dubai reveals plans for quicker bus journeys More than 11,000 trips are made daily on city buses 6 wild public transport projects coming soon to Dubai From Elon Musk's underground tunnel to a trackless tram 57 major road projects coming to Dubai by 2027 — here's what to expect And how they'll improve your journey
Time Out Dubai
3 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
RTA partners with Pony.ai to bring robotaxi fleet to Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced its latest plans to bring robotaxis to Dubai. The RTA has signed a memorandum of understanding with American firm to bring self-driving taxis to the emirate. Set to start supervised trials of a fleet of cabs in the latter half of 2025, it is believed that there will be fully driverless operations on Dubai roads as early as next year. Dubai residents can expect an advanced fleet of vehicles to hit the roads next year. This latest agreement follows previous deals with popular ride-hailing app Uber and Chinese firm Baidu to also start trials of autonomous taxis in Dubai. Driverless taxis will be introduced to Dubai roads in 2025 (Credit: RTA) collaborates with industry leaders, including Toyota, GAC Motor, and BAIC Motor, to develop its seventh-generation robotaxis. Mass deployment is slated for later this year following the vehicles' successful debut in Shanghai in April. Its advanced sensor array handles complex scenarios ranging from high-speed highways to crowded urban centres like Dubai's business and financial districts. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency at RTA, said the partnership will help the authority in its goal to bring more autonomous options to Dubai. He said: 'The collaboration with marks another significant milestone in advancing Dubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy. 'This partnership is integral to our goal of transforming 25 percent of all journeys in the city into autonomous trips by 2030, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global leader in autonomous mobility and innovation. 'We are excited to work with a pioneer in autonomous driving technology, to further enhance the integration of smart transport solutions in Dubai.' Driverless taxis will be introduced in Dubai (Credit: Baidu) Long-term plans for in Dubai include integrating robotaxi services with Dubai's multimodal transport network – encompassing metro, tram, and maritime routes – to create a future where autonomous vehicles complement existing infrastructure, enabling smoother journeys and reducing the city's carbon footprint. Dr. Leo Wang, CFO of said that they are committed to helping Dubai move to self-driving transport. He said: 'Dubai stands at the forefront of intelligent urban mobility innovation, and we are honoured to collaborate with RTA on this transformative initiative. 'By combining our proven autonomous driving technology and extensive fleet operation experience, we are committed to accelerating Dubai's transition to autonomous transportation.' More Dubai transport news 6 sci-fi (but sensible) public transport projects coming to Dubai From Elon Musk's underground tunnel to a trackless tram The UAE traffic law has now changed What you need to know about the new rules 36 huge traffic improvement projects coming soon to Dubai And some sooner than you think
Time Out Dubai
3 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Parking in Dubai: A guide to permits, paid parking and do's and don't's
Listen up, motorists. Whether you're a seasoned Dubai driver or this is your first time getting behind the wheel, we all need somewhere to stop. When it comes to parking in Dubai, the city isn't short of spaces and there are plenty of options on where to leave your car. However, what you might not know, is that there are different rules (and different prices) depending on which location you choose. From multi-story car parks to malls, this is everything you need to know about parking in Dubai. Parking in Dubai: Your go-to guide Paid parking in Dubai Public parking in Dubai is organised and managed by Parkin, a company which took over responsibility from the RTA in 2024. Looking after public and private spaces around the city, Parkin has since implemented a new tariff system for parking, which divides into four zones named A, B, C and (you guessed it), D. Coming into practice in April 2025, there is also a new peak time hours fee for specific spaces that are located near transport hubs, business districts and shopping areas. With the new tariffs, these premium parking spaces have risen to Dhs6 per hour. In contrast, regular parking spaces across the city have remained priced at Dhs4 per hour. If you want to understand exactly how much your stay will cost, you can find a full breakdown of the tariffs in each zone here. Some areas of the city are not covered with public parking fees, however, this can be subject to change. Most recently, Parkin introduced two new paid zones in Mirdif, operating between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Saturday. Parkin also operates six multi-storey car parks in Dubai, which provide 3,200 parking spaces. Tariffs at these multi-storey car parks are priced at Dhs5 per hour and be chargeable all around the clock every day of the year. Anyone who parks for more than eight hours in a multi-storey in any 24-hour period will be charged a maximum of Dhs40. Parking in Dubai: Permits If you're looking to obtain a parking permit in Dubai, you can do so through the RTA's website. As well as paying public parking fines, the online RTA portal allows you to apply for or renew a parking permit. There are a range of permits available, from permits for people of determination, to Emirati citizens and even for contracting or within a residential are in specific circumstances. You can learn more about different types of permits on the RTA website. Mall parking in Dubai If you're heading for a well deserved spot of retail therapy, you should note that there are different parking rules and fees depending on which mall you choose. Dubai Mall (Credit: Dubai Mall) The iconic mall recently changed from offering free parking and is now running a paid system in collaboration with Salik. If you like this: Here's what you must know about Salik tolls The toll gate company's technology is now being used to offer a barrier-free parking experience for shoppers, through the use of vehicle plate recognition. If you receive a charge, it will be linked with your digital Salik account. Parking is still free for the first four hours of Monday to Thursday, and for the first six hours between Friday and Sunday. But after four hours you will pay the following: Weekdays (Monday to Thursday) 4 – 5 hours: Dhs20 5 – 6 hours: Dhs60 6 – 7 hours: Dhs80 8 – 12 hours: Dhs100 12 – 24 hours: Dhs500 24 hours+: Dhs1,000 Weekends (Friday to Sunday) 6 – 7 hours: Dhs80 7 – 8 hours: Dhs100 8 – 12 hours: Dhs200 12 – 24 hours: Dhs500 24 hours+: Dhs1,000 There are currently a selection of car parks at Dubai Mall, including Fashion Parking, Cinema Parking and Zabeel Parking. However, Grand Parking is currently closed as part of the mall's ongoing expansion plans. Mall of the Emirates Mall of the Emirates (Credit: Mall of the Emirates) There are now no barriers at Mall of the Emirates car parks, meaning you can drive straight in and enjoy four hours free parking. If you stay over the allotted time, you will receive an SMS with the link to pay the fees through Parkin. You have three days to sort the payment, or you'll receive a fine. However, if you want to stay longer, you can validate all-day free parking if you spend Dhs150 in the mall and validate at a customer service desk (so keep a hold of those receipts). Weekend parking is also free, and the current weekday prices are as follows: 0 – 4 hours: Free 4 – 5 hours: Dhs20 5 – 6 hours: Dhs40 6 – 7 hours: Dhs60 7 – 8 hours: Dhs100 8 hours+: Dhs150 BurJuman Mall Also using a ticketless system, parking at BurJuman Mall is free for the first three hours. Following this time, you'll be charged Dhs20 for each additional hour or part of. However, there is completely free parking every Sunday and on public holidays. If you're using the VOX Cinema inside the mall, you can get an extra three hours of free parking, but remember to validate at the VOX ticket counter before you leave. City Centre Deira Parking is completely free on Sundays and public holidays at the Deira mall, but you will have to pay if you stay for a longer period during the week. Monday to Saturday: 0 – 3 hours: Free 3 – 4 hours: Dhs20 4 – 5 hours: Dhs40 5 – 6 hours: Dhs60 6 – 7 hours: Dhs100 7 hours+: Dhs150 24 hours: Dhs350 Lost ticket: Dhs150 Overnight parking (4am – 6am): Dhs200 City Centre Mirdif Parking is completely free at City Centre Mirdif. Parking fines in Dubai Parking fines in Dubai vary on the type of parking violation and the penalty begins from Dhs100. Currently, the RTA lists the following penalties, which you can pay up here. Non-payment of parking fees – Dhs150 Exceeding parking time – Dhs100 Exceeding maximum parking hours – Dhs100 Misuse of parking facility – Dhs200 Vehicle is crossing or blocking pavement – Dhs200 Using a forbidden parking – Dhs200 Parking a vehicle that does not have a plate number – Dhs1,000 Parking the vehicle in a reserved parking or not presenting a permit – Dhs1,000 Living in Dubai? Driving in Dubai? Here's what you must know about Salik tolls And how it can cost you Dubai Mall announces car park closure: The important update you need to know It's part of the mall's ongoing expansion plans Two new paid public parking zones announced in Dubai Does this change your next journey?
