Iftar allowed on Metro platforms, not trains

Commuters are urged not to break the fast inside the Dubai Metro trains as eating and drinking is banned in the trains. However, they can break the fast on the platforms.

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is changing the timings of metro operations to ease the movement of people while, at the same time, urging people to adhere to the rules and regulations.

“We have extended the operations of metro for Ramadan to facilitate movement of people even late at night. On weekdays, metro would run until 12 midnight while on Thursdays and Fridays it will be open till 1am,” said Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Metro Operations at the RTA’s Rail Agency.

He also said that though the RTA respects people’s sentiments, it cannot allow people to break the fast inside the trains “as that would lead to a lot of problems”.

“People can get down from the trains at the nearest stations, break the fast and get back on trains. Breaking the fast with dates or water won’t take much time, people can do it on the platform or they can even go to the refreshment stores in the station and eat,” said Ramadan, urging people not to eat inside the trains. 

However, he said if somebody is not well and needs a sip of water or some help, then the train attendants are always at hand to help.

“Our attendants are trained to help people in all situations and if somebody is feeling unwell or weak, which is common when fasting, then that particular person would be administered water if required. But we can’t allow everyone as this will make the trains dirty and other passengers would find it inconvenient or even disgusting,” he explained.

The metro will run between 5.50am and 12 midnight from Saturday to Wednesday, 5.50am to 1am on Thursdays and 1pm to 1am on Fridays throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The operations would revert to the normal timings after Eid Al Fitr.

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