Dubai Metro Marks 15th Anniversary With Milestone Of 2.4 Billion Passengers

Dubai Metro celebrated its 15th anniversary Monday and also reached a milestone of carrying 2.4 billion passengers since its launch on Sept. 9, 2009.

The metro has played a vital role in connecting key areas across the emirate and serves as reliable and sustainable transport for residents and visitors. Dubai Metro has emerged as a symbol of innovation, contributing to the emirate's transformation into a major global hub for business and tourism.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), praised the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his visionary initiatives like Dubai Metro.

"The concept is anchored in His Highness's firm belief in the importance of a metro system to meet the growing population and urban development needs of the city," Al Tayer said, according to WAM.

"His Highness envisioned the metro as the backbone of a transportation network that links all key areas in the emirate, ensuring safe and smooth travel for passengers. His Highness also directed that the metro's facilities must have the highest standards of elegance and luxury," he added.

Al Tayer further said the Dubai Metro has expanded its line lengths from 52 kilometers to 90 kilometers, increased the number of stations from 10 to 53, and boosted the fleet from 79 to 129.

Daily ridership jumped from 20,000 on Sept. 10, 2009, to 767,000 on Sept. 3, 2024. On peak days, like New Year's Eve and major holidays, the metro handled up to 900,000 riders in a single day.

He noted that the Dubai Metro has created job opportunities for Emirati citizens, currently employing 228 citizens through the metro's operating company. He added that this project remains the world's longest driverless metro project and a key initiative of RTA.

Dubai Metro ridership has steadily grown since it first launched. From September to December 2009, passengers increased from 6.089 million to 38.089 million. In 2012, there was a big jump, with passenger numbers hitting 109.049 million. By 2013, the figure grew to 137.076 million; in 2014, it became 164.031 million.

Even during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dubai Metro managed to transport 113.063 million riders. Dubai Metro users have increased to 151.026 million in 2021, and in 2022, the metro set a record with 225.142 million riders.

The growth continued in 2023, reaching 260.034 million riders. From the beginning of this year until the end of August, the metro served 175.46 million riders.