Dubai tram’s 3-month trial run starts in July

It will commence operations from November and is expected to ferry 27,000 riders per day.

The Dubai tram, which is expected to provide accessibility and mobility within Dubai — particularly in the new leisure and business districts of the emirate — will undergo testing for three months from July end to October before it commences operations by November this year.

The tram when it debuted at Al Sufouh depot. -KT file photo

Maitha bint Udai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency (TRA), told Khaleej Times that the ongoing reinstatement roadwork is expected to be completed by the second week of July.

The traffic diversions during this work were put in place after conducting a comprehensive study, she said, which minimised its impact on daily traffic movement. “In addition, the traffic diversions were advertised in the print and electronic media, communicating the alternative routes and exits from Shaikh Zayed Road leading to Jumeirah Beach Road, restricting the number of motorists using the under-construction stretch of the roadway,” Bint Udai said.

She said this plan was also shared with the Dubai Police to address any emergency or untoward situations. “Minor works will include road markings and traffic signage installation along with testing and commissioning of the tram.”

These minor works include optimising the traffic signal timings, which will be part of the ongoing refinement of the traffic operations.

Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan, Director of Rail Planning and Project Development for the Rail, said the Dubai tram will be the first in the world to implement Platform Screen Doors in stations.

The Dubai tram will also be the first tramway in the world with automatic train protection and operation (ATP/ATO) for synchronisation of stops at stations, and the first tram to use the aesthetic power supply (ground based) over the whole line. It started testing without passengers last January 26 at Zone 1 and will continue until November 10 this year.

The tram is expected to transport about 27,000 riders per day at the start of operations in the initial phase in 2014, and the ridership is expected to hit 66,000 per day by 2020.

Abdullah Yousif Al Ali, Acting CEO, Rail Agency and Transport Authority, said 11 stations of the tram will provide a faster and more reliable way to get around the new communities in the Dubai with zero emission and hassle.

He said a trip to Downtown Dubai and major business hubs of the emirate will be more convenient and hassle-free thanks to the new integrated multi-modal rail system of Dubai. “The Dubai tram will be running mainly along Al Sufouh Road ... (and will serve as a) link between Knowledge Village and Dubai Marina.”

The Dubai tram will run in both directions simultaneously, departing at six minutes intervals, seamlessly linking the Dubai Metro to leisure and business hubs in Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Internet City, Media City and Knowledge Village.

“The Dubai Tramway Project complements the Dubai Metro Red Line, serving the city’s economic nerve-centre, the premium resorts and beaches that are at the heart of the city’s tourism trade, its prime residential areas and vibrant business centres,” Al Ali said.

Two bridges will be constructed over Al Sufouh Street to serve the Dubai tram users and residents on both sides of the street.

Two others will link Tecom zone with the locality on the opposite side of the street and the Dubai Marina Mall.

These bridges will be air-conditioned and fitted with elevators/escalators.

They also boast of architectural design patterns compatible with the eye-catching designs of the tram coaches, stations and the urban appearance of residential units at the locality.

lily@khaleejtimes.com