Photos: Dubai Metro to get first of new trains this year

You could soon be commuting in a new Dubai Metro coach that boasts of a better design and swanky digital maps. The first of the 50 new Metro trains would arrive in November, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, made the announcement after attending the technical test run of the first train on a 500-metre test track at Alstom Company's factory in Poland.

The last carriage in the new trains would be reserved for women and children, while a part of the first carriage would be for the gold class. All other carriages would be for the silver class. The design of the luggage compartment also has been modified to accommodate standing commuters.

The new design would help the Metro train accommodate 696 passengers as opposed to the current 643. The coaches would feature an illuminated dynamic map of the Metro route and stations.    

Attending the technical test run of the new trains in Poland. For more details, visit: https://t.co/d8rDSX8AK3@Alstom pic.twitter.com/0kpr9ioC2t

- RTA (@RTA_Dubai) September 22, 2018

Additions include revamping the designs, without affecting the identity of handles, lighting, and locations of digital signage (VBSD). They also include an illuminated dynamic map for the metro route and stations, using LED power-saving lighting system, and modifying the design of the luggage compartment to make it usable by standing commuters.

Improvements also cover the shape and number of handles, the use of modern digital display systems, distributing seats at the two sides of the train and increasing the gangway connecting between carriages. The new carriages are customised to be used by People of Determination and the smooth boarding and alighting of riders.

Al Tayer described the technical test run of trains as a milestone in the construction of Route 2020 Project, which involves the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line 15 km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020.

During the technical trial run, tests were conducted to ensure the readiness of the train along with the functioning and performance of all control systems under all conditions. Tests will continue until the shipment of the train to ensure the reliability of results.

Tests will cover a wide range of issues such as the air-conditioning system, electrical feed & braking system, coupling of coaches, disconnecting of power supply, rail monitoring & control system, and operational tests of the train under normal and emergency conditions," elaborated Al Tayer.

"Improvements also cover the shape and number of handles, the use of modern digital display systems, distributing seats at the two sides of the train and increasing the gangway connecting between carriages. The new carriages are customised to be used by People of Determination and the smooth boarding and alighting of riders," said Al Tayer.

The exterior design of trains will remain unchanged to "maintain the design identity of the Dubai Metro and its familiar colours to the public". The train rolled over the test track at varying speeds, and multiple tests were carried out on the safety systems, electric propulsion, braking system, emergency stops and the train doors operating systems.

The new rail carriages are being manufactured under a contract for the supply of 50 trains, 15 of which will be deployed to serve Expo 2020 and 35 will be used to enhance the Dubai Metro service. The last train of the batch would arrive by the end of October 2019.

Al Tayer described the technical test run of the trains as a "milestone in the construction of the Route 2020 Project".

The project involves the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line 15km from the Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo 2020.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com