Dubai bags another world record: It’s Metro now

The Dubai Metro, comprising the red and green lines combined, has entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest driverless metro network in the world spanning 74.695 kilometers.

The achievement is a further addition to the achievement already made by the Dubai Metro Red Line in September 2011 in setting a Guinness World Record as the longest driverless metro line in the world extending 52 km.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), received the Guinness Certificate from Talal Omar, Regional Director of Guinness Book of World Records in the Middle East, in the presence of Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of Rail Agency, and several Directors of the RTA.

Al Tayer, dedicated the achievement to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, who is the driving force of the Dubai Metro project.

“The implementation of the Dubai Metro project is a true testament to the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in uplifting the infrastructure of Dubai Emirate. HH has been closely monitoring and directing all phases of the work progress in the project, and endorsed the suitable route from several alternatives presented.

“HH envisioned using the metro as a backbone linking various parts of Dubai city enabling commuters smooth mobility while enjoying a panoramic view of the city's landmarks. Parts of the track have been selected to be underground and others elevated to support this vision and suit the urban layout of the Dubai city.

“From inception, HH directed to make the Dubai Metro the best in the world and therefore cutting-edge technology of rail industry has been endorsed including an air-conditioning system in stations and trains befitting the climatic conditions of Dubai urban districts. All trains are operated by an integrated electronic system enabling the exercising of enhanced control and setting trip timings in a highly accurate format.

“The metro stations feature a creative and distinctive architectural design pattern, and are been fitted with the latest safety and security techniques. Parking lots have been allocated for private vehicles and public buses in each station.

“The total length of the Green and Red Lines combined amount to 74.694 km of which 52 km are on the Red Line, and 22.694 km are on the Green Line. The metro has a total of 47 stations of which 29 stations are on the Red Line and 18 stations are on the Green Line.

“The two lines intersect twice; first at the Union Station which is the biggest underground metro station in the world spanning an area of 25,000 square meters, and second at Khalid bin Al Waleed Station; which is one of the most stunning metro stations in the world, thus enabling users smooth transfer between the two lines through these two stations,” said Al Tayer in a concluding remark.

Talal Omar, Regional Director of Guinness Book of World Records in the Middle East, said: “The Certificate has been awarded to the Dubai Metro following a tour by a team from the Guinness Book of World Records on the Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro where measurements of the two lines have been taken.” He expressed his delight to have this global achievement registered in the name of Dubai Emirate to embellish Arab achievements records.

Talal was highly impressed by the Dubai Metro project and the fabulous design of the metro stations featuring different themes of water, air, fire, and earth as well as the iconic heritage-inspired designs. He also admired the functionality of the system citing the orderly and disciplined users of the metro as well as the rapid growth in the metro ridership which is continuously on the rise.

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