The Metro is running. Now the Roads and Transport Authority faces its next, and perhaps bigger, challenge: persuading the residents of Dubai to give up their cars and use it.
The RTA has set itself an ambitious target, saying it wants 30 per cent of the city's population using public transport by 2020. Currently, that figure is just six per cent.
But experts are optimistic that 30 per cent is achievable. Christian Wolmar, a British railway historian, compared the new network to one of the world's oldest, the London Underground.
"When the first metro system was built in London, in it was an immediate hit because it was interesting and different," said the author and broadcaster. "It was an instant success, given how dark and dingy it was. People had never travelled in trains in tunnels before."
Yesterday was the Dubai system's first test: would Serco, the British company that will operate the Metro for the next seven years, be able to translate its experience running similar operations in the UK, including the Docklands Light Railway in London, into a smooth launch?
By last night, it seemed Serco had passed that test. "They are very good at these sorts of things," said Mr Wolmar. "They are not particularly interested in taking risks but are good at management contracts with a margin."
That, said Mr Wolmar, was one part of the formula for a successful Metro; the other was low fares. Dubai has that, too, with the most expensive ride in standard class costing only Dh5.80 with a pre-paid ticket. "It sounds like an attractive system, with everything going for it," added Mr Wolmar.
The next step will be ingraining the idea of the Metro as an integral part of Dubai life. To that end, and with the multi-million-dirham launch out of the way, the RTA can be expected to keep up its advertising campaign, using the "My City My Metro" slogan on billboards and television and in radio spots and cinema adverts.
A further burst of publicity will accompany each batch of station openings, as the remaining 19 of the 29 Red Line stops are introduced to the public.
As well as the service itself, the RTA will need to sell the network's convenience, in a car-addicted city where for much of the year even a short walk to a mass-transit station is all but unthinkable.
Much effort has been put into providing parking, so that commuters can start their journeys by car but avoid the clogged roads of central Dubai.
The park-and-ride car lots at the Rashidiya and Nakheel Harbour and Tower stations, each with 3,000 spaces, are free for Metro passengers, as are the smaller car parks at other stations.
The feeder bus routes will be emphasised, too. More than 50 are already running, with scores more set to join them as new stations open.
If all else fails, there is one more weapon at Dubai's disposal: Salik. The RTA is expected to add to the current four tolling points and could increase the Dh4 charge in a further effort to make driving less attractive.
If it succeeds, said Mr Wolmar, who has written two books on the London Underground, the Metro's Dh28 billion (US$7.6bn) cost will have been money well spent.
"It's a public investment that will last 100 years," he said.
eharnan@thenational.ae
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
HAJJAN
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
