Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

Dubai Unveils Gulf's First Metro

Sheikhdom aims to get drivers onto public transport despite rock-bottom fuel prices

Share

(Newser) – Dubai yesterday opened its gleaming new $7.6 billion metro rail system, the first on the Arabian peninsula, AP reports. The sheikhdom's leaders hope the system will help clear Dubai's chronically traffic-clogged streets and provide some good press for the downturn-battered emirate.  Each 5-car train on the driverless system has a women-only carriage, and a VIP car at the front with leather seats.

The system looks ultra modern and spanking clean compared to the subways in London, New York, and Paris, a reviewer writes at dscriber. The stations are bright with no corners to lurk in, and the emirate's harsh laws will likely ensure the system remains tagger-free. So far, though, the trains aren't scoring well getting people around the city, the reviewer notes—only 10 of its 29 stations were ready on opening day.

A train is tested during a trial session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, earlier this week.
A train is tested during a trial session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
A train is tested during a trial session ahead of the opening ceremony of metro in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.
A train is tested during a trial session ahead of the opening ceremony of metro in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
A train zooms downs the track in a trial run two days ahead of the official opening of the Dubai metro.
A train zooms downs the track in a trial run two days ahead of the official opening of the Dubai metro.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
laslow
Sep 10, 09 11:46 AM CDT
Dubai seems like a really cool place. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Yourself
Sep 10, 09 1:20 PM CDT
Dubai is a major joke. read up on it and you'll see just how shady the whole thing is. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
JackieBrown
Sep 12, 09 3:08 AM CDT
London's and other western metros are built with tax payers money and have to account for every penny. Dubai gets its revenue from fleecing westerners with obscenely overpriced land. $7bn to build a 30 mile line? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

2 Stories

 NYC Targets Subway Gropers 

Officials want offenders' photos on 'wall on shame'

Nov 20, 09 3:11 AM CST
(Newser) - Sexual harassment is on the rise in the New York City subway system and city officials are cracking down on gropers and flashers. Sexual harassment is the "No. 1 quality of life offense on the subway," the chief of the NYPD's Transit Bureau told a hearing yesterday. The... More »

MORE ABOUT:
New York City • subway • sexual harassment • groping • New York City Subway • public transit


 Dubai's New Metro 
 a Surprise Social Leveler 

Rigid stratification breaks down underground, to delight of some

Oct 20, 09 11:24 AM CDT
(Newser) - It may or may not alleviate massive traffic jams of Mercedes and Hummers, but Dubai's new metro system is definitely loosening up the Emirate's rigidly stratified society. “No velvet rope or electrified security gate to keep out the masses,” Tom Hundley writes. “Privileged Emiratis suddenly find themselves... More »

MORE ABOUT:
subway • Dubai • United Arab Emirates • metro • civil society • mass transit • egalitarian • stratification

2 Stories


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
subway • Dubai • United Arab Emirates • metro • New York City Subway • London Underground • UAE • public transit • mass transit

from our news partners