Dubai has announced ambitious plans to expand its metro system. By 2040 the number of stations will grow from the current 64 to 140, and the network will cover more than 228 square kilometres.
In the first stage, by 2030, the number of stations is set to grow to 96, covering an area of 140 square kilometres.
The project is part of the strategy of the Dubai Executive Council, which aims to develop the areas around metro stations, reduce carbon emissions and increase the number of jobs and investments in these areas. The plans include creating new residential, office, retail and service zones.
Dubai currently has two lines: the green line (serving Bur Dubai and Deira) and the red line, connecting the city centre, the airport and the Expo 2020 site.
The blue line, 30 km long, is currently under construction, with about half of it running underground. The line will include 14 stations, three of them interchange stations, and will connect with the existing routes.
Expanding the metro network is also linked to the expansion of Al Maktoum Airport, which is set to become the largest airport in the world and will be directly connected to the metro.
In recent years there has also been talk of three more planned metro lines, the purple, gold and pink lines, although the details of their delivery have not yet been confirmed.
