The last thing you want in the morning is to be squished up against strangers on a cramped metro carriage.
However that looks less likely to occur thanks to a new Roads and Transport Authority initiative.
The RTA have announced on their Twitter page that they’re increasing the number of trips made by trains on the public transport network.
Even better, the increase is going to boost services on both the Green and Red lines, and during peak hours no less.
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In total, 276 trips will be added to the network per week from today – several of which are new, short loops early in the morning.
In total, 276 new trips are added on weekly basis, 154 on Red Line and 122 on Green Line. (3/4)#RTANews
— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) October 22, 2016
The RTA is increasing the amount of trips “in reply to the growing demand for the services from the public”, though noted that it’s not increasing the amount of vehicles on the service – just the frequency.
Currently, 71 trains run during peak hours, with a two-and-a-half minute wait between vehicles on the Red line, and a five-minute bracket between trains on the Green line.
RTA figures released earlier this year said around 31,000 passengers an hour use the metro in the morning, while 53,000 riders catch a train every hour in the evening.
Here’s a breakdown of the new short trips added to the metro:
Three new journeys will run between Sundays and Thursdays:
– The first extra trip will leave Dubai Internet City at 6.07am and reach Al Rashidiya at 6.55am
– The second will leave Al Jafiliya at 6.27am and reach Al Rashidiya station at 6.50am
– The third will depart Burjuman at 6.02am and reach UAE Exchange at 6.52am.
Five new journeys will run on Fridays:
– The first extra trip will leave Dubai Internet City at 10.14am and reach Al Rashidiya at 11.02am
– The second will leave Business Bay at 10.23am and reach Al Rashidiya at 10.56am
– The third will leave Burjuman at 10.13am and reach Rashidiya at 10.51am
– The fourth will leave Deira City Centre at 10.05am and reach UAE Exchange at 11.02am
– The fifth will leave Al Jafiliya at 10.06am and reach UAE Exchange at 10.56am.
Three new journeys will run on Saturdays:
– The first extra trip will leave Dubai Internet City at 6.03am and reach Rashidiya at 6.51am
– The second will leave Al Jafliya at 6.21am and reach UAE Exchange at 6.44am
– The third will leave BurJuman at 6.02am and reach UAE Exchange at 6.52am.
For more information on timetables and specifics, head to the Dubai Metro website.
IF YOU’RE MORE INTO CABS THAN THE METRO…
Then you’ll be happy to hear that last week the Dubai Taxi Corporation and RTA have introduced free wifi on board their 113-strong limousine fleet.
Eventually, the service will stretch to all of the Dubai Taxi Corporation’s taxis.
The wifi switches on as soon as the meter starts, and switches off upon arrival.
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While we can’t imagine it’ll be fit for streaming HD movies, the wifi should be more than adequate for checking your emails, using WhatsApp or watching YouTube videos.
It’s a little bit more expensive than the humble metro, sure, but if you like your comforts and want to skimp on data usage, you can kick it with internet in the back of a cab.
Images: Getty
