Dubai Tram: Concept Video + Top 10 Facts Not To Miss

The countdown has begun for the launch of the Dubai Tram, taking place on November 11, and the emirate is buzzing with news about the new rail system.

Here’s a concept video released by the RTA.

Here are 10 important facts about the tramway, which will start transporting the public from Wednesday, November 12.

1. Basics: Running on a maximum speed of 50 km/hour, the Dubai Tram is the world’s first tramway project outside Europe powered by ground-based electric supply system.

2. Areas of operation: In its initial phase, the Dubai Tram will run along a 10.6km stretch from Dubai Marina to the tram depot near Dubai Police Academy.

Currently, 11 trams will begin operations to 11 stations including Jumeirah Beach Residence 1, Jumeirah Beach Residence 2, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Marina Towers, Mina Siyahi, Dubai Media City, the Palm Jumeirah, Knowledge Village, and Sufouh.

A complete trip to all the stations will take 42 minutes.

3. Capacity: Each tram will have the capacity to accommodate up to 405 riders in seven carriages including gold, women & children, and silver cabins. The Dubai Tram is also the world’s first to introduce gold-class cabins.

4. Facilities: For wheelchair users or those with mobility aids, there is a specially marked call button that allows them extra time to enter or exit.

5. Prices: The Nol‬ card is the only way to pay for a ride on the Dubai Tram, with three fare tiers covering seven public transit zones.

The first tier covers travelling over one or two zones, provided the distance covered is not more than 3km, with the fare for a single trip fixed at Dhs3. the second tier covers travelling over two zones with the fare fixed at Dhs5 and the third tier will cover all three zones at a cost of Dhs7.5 for a single trip. Gold class fares are exactly double the amount charged for silver cards holders.

6. Timings: The Dubai Tram will operate from 6.30 am to 1.30 am from Saturday to Thursday and from 9.00am to 1.30 am on Fridays.

During peak hours, the tramway will operate on a 10-minute interval and during non-peak hours, at a 12-minute interval.

7. Fines: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced stiff fines for offences related to disruption of tram movement, reaching a maximum of up to Dh30,000.

Jumping the red light at a tram intersection has been highlighted as an extremely serious offence, and along with the fines, motorists can also have their licenses suspended.

8. Links: There will be footbridges linking passengers from the Dubai Tram to the Dubai Metro at Damac Properties and JLT metro stations. In addition, the tramway intersects with the monorail of the Palm Jumeirah at the entrance of the Palm, where a multi-level parking lot is in place for users.

9. Expansion: After the first phase is operational, the RTA will begin work on the second phase of the Dubai Tram project, which will see the route extending to a total length of 14.6 kilometres, and 14 trams added to make a total of 25 operating trams.

10. Numbers: The Dubai Tram is anticipated to transport about 27,000 passengers per day at the start of operations in 2014, with the numbers slated to increase to 66,000 per day by 2020.