Dubai’s transport agency will launch more than 400 buses on 39 routes to link commuters to metro stations served by the new Green Line, the CEO of public transport at the RTA has said.
The 456 buses will run every 15-20 minutes in a feeder system aimed at maximising passenger numbers on the rail network, Essa Al Dosary told Arabian Business.
“It will connect all the communities around the metro station with the metro stations. The concept of public transport is like a fish bowl. The main tank is the metro.”
The cost of the bus fare will be included in the price of the metro ticket, which is priced according to a zoning system.
“There will be a flat fare for both modes of transport, so the customers won’t see a change in the fare unless they change their zone,” said Al Dosary. “Passengers are charged not by mode of transport but by their zone. This is the best model and price structure worldwide.”
The Green Line will add a further 18 stations and 23km to the existing Dubai Metro rail network, and has already undergone technical trial runs in preparation for its launch this Friday.
Dubai’s ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will unveil the network, which will allow commuters to switch between the Metro’s Green and Red Line at Union and Khalid bin Al Waleed stations.
Fourteen trains will operate along the new line during peak hours, reducing to ten trains during off peak hours, the RTA said. The frequency will range from 6 to 8 minutes.
All of the Green Line stations will open to the public except Al Jadaf and Creek Stations, as the real estate developments they were intended to serve have yet to be completed.
The Green Line’s starting point is Etisalat station, at Al Qusais near Emirates Road, before moving to stops Al Qusais, Airport Free Zone, Al Nahda, Al Qiyadah station on Al Ittihad road, Abhu Hail, Abu Baker Al Siddique, Salah Uddin and then Union station, where both metro lines intersect. The Green Line then moves through Baniyas Square, Palm Deira, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba. Al Fahidi, Khalid bin Al Waleed and to Dubai Healthcare City.