Many foreign tourists are amazed at the we alth of the United Arab Emirates. This state seems to be something unreal, distant, alien. Greening the streets, the presence of a huge number of fountains, the surrounding cleanliness, the unusual shape of the building, high-tech equipment - all this attracts attention and surprises with how far this eastern country has gone forward in development, overtaking many western states. Having visited the UAE once, you understand - this is who you need to learn from and who to take an example from.
Dubai Metro Grand Opening
Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of the emirate of Dubai, chose an unusual, very memorable date to open the first metro line in the city. This solemn event for the citizens and guests of the UAE took place on September 9, 2009 at 9 hours 9 minutes and 9 seconds in the evening. Then only one red line was launched. September 9, 2011 earned and green. The project involves the construction of 4 lines, which will run 99 trains.
The Dubai Metro is a marvel of technology that even New York can't matchsubway. Cleanliness and order reign around, policemen are on duty at the stations, although there is no particular need for them, because everything is calm around, people behave civilly. The metro is equipped with toilets that amaze with their impeccable appearance; after almost every visitor, an employee comes into the room and cleans everything. The floors everywhere are polished to a shine, the cars are spacious, bright and comfortable. And most importantly - no noise, fuss and chaotic hustle even at rush hour.
Features of the subway in the UAE
Beautiful, comfortable and unlike anything built by Dubai Metro. How to pay the fare, where to enter, how to sort through the numerous stations, how to determine which car to get into - all this worries foreign tourists. If you understand these issues, it becomes clear how detailed everything is thought out in the UAE. Many travelers buy a one-day pass just to take the subway and see the main sights of the city, because the stations are made taking into account the personal preferences of passengers going shopping or sightseeing.
The main feature of trains is that they run automatically, without a driver. Most of the time they ride on the surface. Almost all the main stations are located on the ground, so passengers can enjoy the surrounding scenery while traveling. Only a few outlying stations are underground. Getting lost in the subway is unrealistic, because different trains run on the red and green lines, and the names of the next stations are announcedin advance.
Terms of use
How to use the metro in Dubai? You can pay for metro travel with “nil” cards and tickets. From Arabic, the word "nol" is translated as "fare". Cards are issued in gold, silver and blue colors, but tickets are only red. The essential difference between these payment methods is that the cards are an electronic wallet that can be replenished from time to time. In addition to the metro, they can be used in water and land buses, in parking lots. The validity of smart cards is 5 years, which is very convenient for the natives of the UAE. Tickets are purchased for only one route for a fixed number of trips. One of them is valid for 3 months.
The ticket can be purchased from a metro employee at a kiosk or from a machine at the station. A subscription must be purchased for each passenger, different people will not be able to use the same card, because payment is charged depending on the distance. The funds are debited at the exit station. Children under 5 years old can ride for free, but there is a caveat: they must be below 90 cm. Some foreign craftsmen, trying to deceive the miracle technology, buy one card, planning to slip into the car. But having missed one passenger, the system no longer accepts the second one with the same card, so no one succeeds in this trick.
Types of wagons
It is important for foreigners who come to the UAE to know how to use the metro in Dubai. All cars are divided into three types: "gold", ordinary and for women andchildren. Standard seats make up about 80% of the entire train, they are practically in no way inferior to the Gold class, they have an air conditioning system. The cost of the metro in Dubai is almost twice as high if you ride in an upgraded carriage. He goes first on every train. There are no special differences from ordinary places in it, only there are always fewer people here, which is associated with the price, and you can also look into the windshield, imagining yourself as a machinist or just enjoying the views.
The car "gold" is divided into two parts by a partition. One of them is intended exclusively for women and their children, men are not allowed to enter there, so you need to be careful. However, the fairer sex can also ride in the same carriage with men, it is only recommended to adhere to the dress code in order to protect yourself from trouble. The inscriptions above the glass doors to the train entrance will help you get to the right part of the train.
Dubai Metro Stations
The red metro line has a length of 52 km. The train makes a full circle in an average of one hour. It has 27 stations and two more are under construction. Most stops are on or above ground, with only four below. The train mainly moves along overpasses at a height of 15 m. Stations from 27 to 30 are missing on the red line, apparently, they will be built in the future.
The green line is much shorter, its length is 22.5 km, of which 14.6 - on the ground, 7.9 -underground. The train returns to its original stop in half an hour. Now there are 18 stations, two are under construction. The city authorities are doing everything possible for the comfort of guests who come to Dubai. The metro map in Russian will help you organize your trip correctly and not get lost. It should be borne in mind that stations, in addition to names, also have numbers.
Fare
The cost of the metro in Dubai directly depends on which car the passenger chooses. It should be noted that the "gold" class is almost twice as expensive as usual. The fare also depends on the number of subway zones crossed. For many tourists, it will be beneficial to purchase a subscription for one day or a month for an unlimited number of trips. If you often have to use the subway, go shopping, see the sights, then this is an ideal option. A 1-day pass for an unlimited number of trips can be purchased for 14 AED, a one-time gold-class ticket costs from 4 to 13 AED (depending on the number of zones), a single-use standard ticket costs from 2 to 6.5 AED. Prices are current as of February 2014.
Basic driving rules
It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol in the Dubai Metro, and this rule applies both in trains and at stations. It is also forbidden to transport strong drinks, and special rooms are equipped for smokers, since smoking is not allowed in public places. Pets cannot be transported on the subway, even if they are placed in specialcages and bags.
Main differences between Dubai and Moscow metro
The first noticeable difference between the metropolitan subways of the two states is that in the UAE, trains run automatically, drivers do not control them. In Dubai, the fare is charged by zone, short trips are charged separately. There is a maximum fee. If it is debited from the card, then the passenger can travel as much as he wants, but for free.
There is also a difference in the location of the platforms. In Moscow, it is located in the middle, and trains approach from different directions. The Dubai Metro has two different platforms as trains run through the center. To get to them, you need to go up or down to them by elevator, escalator or stairs. Before choosing a descent / ascent, you should decide which way to go. In the UAE, the platform is separated from the rails by a transparent wall, which opens only when aligned with the doors of an approaching train. Admittedly, this innovation protects passengers from accidents.
Cleanliness of the Arabs
The Dubai Metro impresses with its cleanliness, freshness, openness, spaciousness. Its employees zealously monitor compliance with all rules, clean toilets, floors and walls at the stations are polished to a shine. It is a pleasure to be in the carriages, they are made in white and blue colors, comfortable seats and huge windows allow you to fully enjoy the trip. It doesn’t matter how much the metro in Dubai costs, every tourist who comes to the UAE in order to see everythingsights of the country, must at least once look at this miracle.
