The 15km Route 2020 metro line in Dubai has started carrying passengers.
Construction on the line began in 2016 and was carried out by the Alstom-led ExpoLink Consortium, comprising Alstom, ACCIONA and Gülermak. Of the 15km, 11.8km are above ground, the remaining 3.2km below ground. The line also features an interchange with the Red Line, which at 52.1km is the longest driverless metro line in the world.
Route 2020 has a total of seven stations, including Jabal Ali Station (Red Line interchange) and the flagship metro station at the World Expo site.
Alstom was responsible for the integration of the metro system. Alstom also manufactured 50 Metropolis trains at its site in Katowice, Poland. Each train is 85.5m long and consists of five cars with a capacity of 696. Alstom further delivered the power supply, communication, signalling, automatic ticket control, track works and platform screen doors.
In addition, Alstom upgraded elements of the existing metro line, such as the power supply, the signalling systems, communication and track works.
“I am delighted to see our trains enter the revenue operation. At Alstom, it is our mission to support the transition towards global sustainable transport systems that are inclusive, environmentally friendly, safe and efficient while implementing socially responsible transport solutions. The opening of the Dubai Route 2020 Metro shows Dubai and the RTA’s commitment to provide a sustainable and environmentally-responsible mobility as this project expected to ease the traffic congestions in the areas it serves by approximately 15–20% and expected to reduce carbon emissions by 120,000 tons by 2025.”
Alstom Metropolis Trainsets for Dubai Route 2020
Each five-car train features wide gangways, large doors and windows and three different areas: Silver and Gold classes, as well as areas reserved for women and children. The trains are equipped with regenerative braking.
The Expo 2020 has been postponed to 1 October 2021–31 March 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
