His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will flag off the first Metro on an epochal run from the Mall of the Emirates to Al Rashidiya. Though without a driver, it will neither be without direction nor control, as it glides its way on a date impossible to forget: 09-09-09.

But it is not so much about number nine. “Dubai is a city that wants to be number one and the people here love to be number one,” said Amina Ali Muhairi, an Emirati student in Al Qusais. “This initiative is a first in the region and, as achievers, we are an example to be emulated.”

In an age of growing concerns over carbon footprint — the Emirates must be high up there — it is surprising that not too many cities in the world have the metro or an environment-friendly internodal transport by some other name. In fact, none in the Gulf region does.

The Metro does not serve alone. It comes with an elaborate network of feeder buses in a city that remains dependent on taxis and privately owned cars. Disparate areas in a rapidly expanding Dubai will now come closer.

Indeed, suburban life will change for many. “Now I can leave my car parked at Al Rashidiya and use the Metro, saving money on car maintenance, salik and fuel,” said 24-year-old Sharjah resident Fouad Hassan.

Shaikh Mohammed, after he has oficially declared the Metro open to the public at the Galleria in Mall of the Emirates, will ride along with VIP guests and the media to Al Rashidiya, according to a senior Roads and Transport Authority official on Tuesday. Naturally, security will be tight and the general public can start using the Metro between 6am and midnight from tomorrow onwards.

Talking about preparations for the launch, a senior police official told
 Khaleej Times that patrols will be placed at regular intervals on Dubai’s roads to ensure smooth traffic flow.

“Only the 200 people who have been issued car passes will be allowed to enter the roads leading to the Galleria,” said Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Deputy Director of Traffic. “Parking and entrance arrangements have been made for regular shoppers at the back of the mall.”

Signboards have already been placed on various roads to ensure safety. “All road users should abide by instructions and follow signboards all over Dubai to (avoid) traffic offence or legal action,” he added.

By this evening, ten police patrols will be stationed at Bur Dubai and as many in Deira. Ten controllers will be monitoring traffic. A number of police teams will also be deployed on various roads to ensure a smooth traffic flow.

The general public, too, is making preparations. Outlets such as Spinneys and Carrefour, where the Nol Silver cards went on sale on September 1, reported brisk sale.

An RTA official said that the card could also be used for all other modes of transport except taxis. “Nol Silver is being sold at hundreds of retail outlets in the city.

Meanwhile, cyberspace is also abuzz with news of the launch. Several postings and blogs are talking about the Metro. From news to photos, netizens are keeping the cyber world updated on Dubai’s march into the future.

news@khaleejtimes.ae