The view from inside a driverless metro train in Dubai. AFP
The view from inside a driverless metro train in Dubai. AFP
The view from inside a driverless metro train in Dubai. AFP
The view from inside a driverless metro train in Dubai. AFP

Dubai Metro has carried more than two billion passengers since its launch


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More than two billion passengers have used the Dubai Metro since its launch on September 9, 2009.

The metro's red line transported 1.34 billion commuters while the green line served more than 673 million, Dubai Media Office said on Sunday.

It also said the metro has maintained a punctuality rate of 99.7 per cent and the average daily numbers of passengers was more than 616,000 last year.

More than 621 million journeys were made on Dubai public transport in 2022 — an increase of 35 per cent from the previous year.

The surge came amid the emirate's population boom and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with the return of major events and conferences.

Dubai's population surpassed 3.5 million in April 2022 and has grown by another 71,785 since then, according to the Dubai Statistics Centre's live population counter.

Expo 2020 Dubai — which concluded on March 31 last year — caused a spike in visitor numbers in its final months. Many of them will have used public transport to get to the world's fair site.

“Statistics reveal a consistent rise in Dubai Metro ridership since the start of the service in September 2009,” said Mattar Al Tayer, the RTA's director general and chairman.

“During the first four months after its inauguration, the metro served 6.089 million riders.

“By 2010, the number of riders surged from 38.089 million in 2010 to 69.007 million in 2011, the year the Green Line was inaugurated.

“By the end of 2017, the total number of metro users since its launch exceeded one billion.

“In 2022, the Dubai Metro set a new record and the highest since its launch by serving 225.142 million riders, a remarkable growth rate of nearly 49 per cent and since its inauguration through January of 2023 exceeded two billion.”

The metro consists of the Red and Green lines, which cover 89.3km and connect 53 stations served by a fleet of 129 trains.

How the Dubai Metro was built: in pictures

While you're here
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
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Haircare resolutions 2021

From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.

1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'

You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'

Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.

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MATCH INFO

Leeds United 0

Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')

Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
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Gorillaz 
The Now Now 

Infiniti QX80 specs

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Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

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Updated: April 23, 2023, 4:55 PM`