Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a significant step in the expansion of Dubai's public transportation network. Spanning 30 km and featuring 14 stations, the new line aims to enhance mobility across nine key districts, projected to accommodate over one million residents as outlined in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
According to Emirates News Agency, His Highness approved the architectural design of the Emaar Properties Station, which will be the highest metro station in the world at 74 metres. Designed by the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), the station is set to integrate seamlessly into the urban environment, embodying the vision of 'Dubai: A Gateway to the Future'. The station, covering an area of approximately 11,000 square metres, is expected to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers per day, with daily users expected to exceed 70,000 by 2040. Upon completion, the Blue Line will expand Dubai's rail network to 131 km, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains.
At the ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, and viewed a historical gallery showcasing the dream of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum for a metro line connecting Dubai districts. The gallery included photographs from his visits to world capitals and images of him using the UK railway network, where the idea for a similar project in Dubai was born.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was briefed on the expansion of metro services, including growth in ridership and station design. The Dubai Metro, since its launch on 9/9/2009, has transported over 2.527 billion passengers by the end of 2024, with a daily average of 900,000 passengers in 2024. Ridership has grown steadily, from 38.887 million in 2010 to 69 million in 2011, with a growth rate of 77%. By 2024, it hit 275.4 million, and it is expected to exceed 300 million in 2026 and reach 320 million by 2031.
The Blue Line will connect the Green Line at Creek Station and the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, serving residential, academic, and key development zones with an estimated population of one million by 2040. It also connects to the Dubai Silicon Oasis, a hub for innovation supporting the growth of the technology-driven economy. The project includes two main routes, with significant connections to areas such as International City and Academic City.
The iconic Emaar Properties Station will not only serve as a transportation hub but also as a striking urban landmark, designed to accommodate and enhance the passenger experience. The station will include commercial and investment opportunities and is set to be a primary destination for Blue Line users. The Blue Line is projected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% and appreciate land and property values near stations by up to 25%, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan's goals of creating a '20-minute city'.
The Blue Line will also feature Dubai's first metro bridge crossing Dubai Creek and the largest underground interchange station in the network. It is the first project in Dubai to fully comply with green building standards, achieving Platinum Category certification. The line is expected to yield significant economic, social, and environmental returns, with benefits projected to exceed AED56.5 billion by 2040.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line represents a strategic addition to Dubai's transport infrastructure, supporting the city's vision of enhancing mobility, promoting well-being, and boosting global competitiveness.