The Dubai Metro, comprising the Red and Green Lines, has hit new records as the ridership of the metro has broken the one billion rider barrier. Since the launch of the service on 9 September 2009 till the end of August 2017, the metro has lifted 1.028 billion riders.
The Dubai Metro, which extends 75 km, is the longest driverless metro line in the world. Union Station is considered the world’s biggest underground metro station spanning an area of 25,000 square metres. Burjuman Station is widely known as one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
Moving ahead, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plan to revamp mass transit systems in Dubai and raise the share of public transport in people’s mobility to as much as 30% by 2030. This rate reached 16% in 2016.
The Red Line of the Dubai Metro has lifted more than 689 m riders since opened on 9/9/2009 and has seen a sustained growth in ridership. The number of metro riders has soared by 54% from 38.887 m riders in 2010 to 60 m riders in 2011. The number shot to 104 m riders in 2014, and grew further to 121 m riders in 2016. Union Station accounted for the largest number of Red Line users recording 47.798 m riders, followed by Deira City Center Station (46.878 m riders), just ahead of Burjuman Station (46.749 m riders), then came Al Rigga Station which served about 44 m riders.
The Green Line has served about 339 m riders. The number picked up from 37.576 m riders in 2012 to 48.872 m riders in 2013 recording a 30% growth rate. It continued the upward trend to reach 65.942 m riders in 2015 and further grew to 69.708 m riders in 2016. Al Faheedi Station is the most used as far as ridership is concerned as it carried 37.928 m riders, followed by Baniyas Station (33.547 m riders), Al Ghubaiba Station (26 m riders) and Oud Metha Station (24 m riders).