Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Dubai Unveils Gulf's First Metro

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

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2009 1:26 AM CDT

(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
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Acoma
Nov 25, 2009 9:32 AM CST
dubai, the archetypal neo-liberal city i've been there, ive lived there. it's disgusting, socially and economically....and environmentally. but as the archetypal model, most all cities in the world aspire towards this mode of functioning. think of richard florida - same shit
JackieBrown
Sep 12, 2009 8:08 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?
Yourself
Sep 10, 2009 6:20 AM CDT
Dubai is a major joke. read up on it and you'll see just how shady the whole thing is.

More Newser Stories

Cop Shoots NYC Subway Groper

DC Subway Plans Random Bag Checks

Dubai Fetes Tallest Building

Dubai Preps for Opening of World's Tallest Building

NYC Targets Subway Gropers


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne