Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Emaar Properties, has announced the expansion of Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station to accommodate growing passenger demand, particularly during New Year's Eve, public holidays, and national events and holidays. The project expands the station's area from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres, increasing its hourly capacity from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers, registering a 65% rise. Once complete, the station will serve up to 220,000 passengers per day.
According to Emirates News Agency, Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, stated that the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is a key hub in the Dubai Metro network due to its strategic location near Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Dubai Downtown. It serves as a convenient and efficient gateway for residents and visitors, especially during large-scale events and holidays.
Al Tayer highlighted that the expansion project addresses sustained and increasing demand for metro services, with projections extending to 2040. He noted that passenger numbers during New Year's Eve exceed 110,000 and that the station has recorded an average annual ridership growth of 7.5% over the past five years.
He further elaborated that since its opening in early 2010, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station has continuously grown in usage. Passenger numbers increased from 6.13 million in 2013 to 7.254 million in 2016, reaching 7.885 million in 2019, with an average of 43,000 boarding and alighting daily.
In 2022, the figure climbed to 8.827 million, surpassed 10.202 million in 2023 (56,000 daily average), and exceeded 10.577 million in 2024, with nearly 58,000 daily boarding and alighting.
In addition to the planned expansion of the station's area from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres, the project includes provisions for enhancing entrances and pedestrian bridges to facilitate access, expanding concourse and platform areas, installing additional escalators and elevators, and separating entry and exit gates to optimise passenger movement. It also involves increasing the number of fare gates and expanding commercial spaces to boost revenue. Further elements include integration with public transport and other mobility modes, along with landscaping enhancements.
The architectural design of Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station follows the concept applied to elevated stations on the Red and Green Lines of Dubai Metro. Inspired by the shape of a seashell, the station's interior design prioritises safety, security, and ease of movement. It focuses on clarity and simplicity while reducing walking distances wherever possible. The internal layout maintains visual connectivity, and ground-level entrances are seamlessly integrated with public transport and alternative mobility options such as bicycles and e-scooters. The station also provides direct pedestrian access and smooth integration with the surrounding urban environment.
Designed to be fully inclusive, the station considers the needs of People of Determination, senior citizens, residents, and parents with strollers.