Dubai Metro massive expansion to begin next year, says paper

Dubai: Dubai Metro will see a massive expansion on both Red and Green Lines with work expected to begin as early as next year, a local newspaper reported. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised plans to extend the Red Line from Rashidiya to Mirdif, to go with its earlier plan to extend the Green Line from Al Jaddaf to Academic City. Both extensions are expected to be operational before 2020. "As per the approved rail masterplan, there are two projects that are required to be ready before 2020, the Green Line extension from Creek Station in Al Jaddaf to Academic City and the Red Line extension from Rashidiya Metro station to Mirdif," Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, Acting CEO of the RTA's Rail Agency, told the Gulf News. Dubai Metro, which began operations on September 9, 2009, is the world's largest driverless rail network extending up to 75 kilometres, according to the English language paper. Although the areas both routes will cover have been decided, the exact routes and the number of stations will be planned next year, when work on the design of the projects will begin. "The RTA is conducting more studies on the proposed extensions and the actual date to start work on the projects next year will be decided once the studies are complete. Irrespective of the start date, the projects will be in operation by 2020," the RTA official added. – Emirates News Agency, WAM