15 November 2009,
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the authority, inspected the Metro’s Command and Control Centre at Rashidiya and the Red Line stations on Saturday. He said construction was completed and the stations’ electromechanical works were about 80 to 97 per cent ready.
“The RTA is all set to phase out the opening of the stations in February 2010,” according to an RTA statement.
Ten of the Red Line’s 29 stations opened for the launch of the Dh28 billion Dubai Metro on September 9.
Officials have previously said stations were being rolled out in stages as those near delayed projects were less busy than expected.
While inspecting the Command and Control Centre at Rashidiya, Al Tayer said the centre, which will be inaugurated in February next year, would enable full control of the daily operation of the Metro service on both the Red and Green lines.
“The centre also provides a means of communication with train passengers through an on-board communications system fitted in the carriages and control room to be used in emergency conditions,” an RTA statement said.
Al Tayer also inspected the Emirates Towers Station, where final touches are being made in preparation for technical trial runs, the Terminal 1 station at Dubai International Airport, GICO station at Garhoud which serves a large number of schools in the area, and Karama station, where electromechanical works are 95 per cent complete.
Karama station also incorporates a 157-metre footbridge connecting both sides of Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street.
“Pilot technical testing of the station is under way to ascertain its preparedness for operation,” the statement said.
He concluded his tour by inspecting Ibn Battuta Station where electromechanical works are 95 per cent finished.
The RTA expects passenger numbers on the Red Line to reach 100,000 a day when it is fully operational.
Officials said the Green Line was expected to open on schedule in June 2010.