(Dubai) – H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, launched the first tram from Al Sufouh depot in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and other senior officials.
Sheikh Hamdan rode on the first tram along with senior government officials, with two more trains in tow, for the inaugural run. The trams will open for public service from 6.30am on Wednesday, with a trip every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes during non-peak hours.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, briefed Sheikh Hamdan on the Dubai Tram project at a ceremony held on Tuesday evening. Served by 11 stations, the 10.6km network winds through the densely populated areas of Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence while also serving Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village and Palm Jumeirah.
A key leg of Dubai’s integrated model of public transport, the tramway is connected with Dubai Metro at two stations in Dubai Marina – Damac station and Jumeirah Lakes Towers station. The network is also linked to Palm Jumeirah’s Monorail at Palm Jumeirah station, which is also equipped with an extensive parking area, taxi lay-bys and a footbridge.
With one Gold cabin, four Silver cabins and two cabins for women and children, each tram has a capacity to carry 405 passengers.
(Courtesy WAM)
