Residents are looking forward to yet another welcome addition to Dubai’s world-class transport network
DUBAI — Residents and expatriates working along Al Sofouh to Dubai Marina have expressed excitement over the operation of Dubai Tram by November 10, reported Khaleej Times.
Even students at the Knowledge Village are looking forward to the launch, saying the Dubai Tram will be a great help for a quick and no-hassle journey to their university.
Ian Viljoen from South Africa, a student at Knowledge Village, says it is a boon to him and to most students who have no cars of their own. “My dad does not have to drop me at my university; it will become easier, quicker and practical to take the Dubai Tram from Jumeirah Lake Towers where I live.”
Thaha Mohammed Sameer, a PRO, who comes to the Media City regularly, said the Dubai Tram when operated, will be a big relief to expatriates working in the area and living far without their own cars. “I have my own car.
But, I can see many working here taking the metro and the bus. With Dubai Tram, it will be a lot easier.”
Egyptian Sarah Mohammed, who has been working for the past two years at Media City, said her dad will be able to go straight to his work site because when Dubai Tram starts, she can use it as she is staying in Jumeirah Beach Residences.
Indian Amrita Sihea said the Dubai Tram will be a big help to people living along the tram route. “Not all of these people have cars or time to shift from Dubai Metro to feeder buses. Now, they can take the Dubai Tram straight to their offices, residence or universities.”
A tourist and businessman Moaiad Khaiti who frequents the area especially during winter, said the Dubai Tram is an added facility that will make travel easier.
Dubai Tram, which is expected to provide accessibility and mobility within Dubai, particularly the new leisure and business districts of the emirate, stretches for a distance of 14.6 km along Al Safouh Street. About 10.6km has been completed in the first phase, which starts from the Dubai Marina to the tram depot near the Dubai police academy.
The tram network has 17 stations, 11 of which have been carried out in the first phase. These stations are located at some densely populated areas in Dubai along the tram course.
Abdullah Yousif Al Ali, Acting CEO, Rail Agency and Transport Authority of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said the tram with its 11 stations will provide a faster and more reliable way to get around the new communities in the area with zero emission and hassle.
The tram fleet, he said, comprises 11 trams in the first phase; add to them nearly 14 trams once the second phase gets completed to bring the Dubai Tram to 25 in total.
“Each tram is composed of seven carriages with a total length of 44 meters. A tram is able to house as many as 405 passengers. A carriage has been reserved for the gold class and two for ladies and children,” he said.
Approximately 27,000 passengers will use the Dubai Tram daily in the first phase once it gets operational in November. It will go up to 66,000 passengers daily by 2020.
The Dubai Tram and the Dubai Metro will intersect at two major stations; the Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
Likewise, the Dubai tram shall be linked to the Palm Jumeirah Monorail at the entrance of the palm at Sofouh Street.
Al Ali said the interiors of the carriages are luxuriously decorated. The tram has been equipped with the latest audio video information display system as well as entertainment materials.
“The Dubai Tram course majorly runs on surface beside Al Sofouh Street while at some locations like Dubai Marina, it runs over high bridges due to the urban environment exigencies.” The Dubai Tram is equipped with a Closed Circuit Television system (CCTV) which includes 1,000 cameras — around 100 cameras are installed at every 1km — all of which are connected to the Main Control Centre (MCC). —Courtesy Khaleej Times
