DUBAI, 13th August, 2014 (WAM) -- With the launch of the trial operation of Dubai Tram, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has demonstrated his dedication for creating innovative paths that keeps Dubai firmly on the global map. "It also displays His Highness's penchant for thinking out of the box, and adding more attractions to the Dubai landscape, which will captivate visitors during Expo 2020 in less than six years," said the Sharjah-based English language daily,The Gulf Today, in an editorial comment today.
The Dubai Tram, which will be officially launched on November 11th, is the first tramway project outside Europe to be powered by a ground-based electric supply system running along the track, which eliminates the need for catenary cables. The tram depot itself consists of 11 eco-friendly buildings, housing 25 tram trains, and will be aligned with the Dubai Metro and the Palm Jumeirah Monorail to encourage more commuters to use public transport. It is expected to transport about 27,000 passengers per day at the start of operations later this year, and the number of passengers is expected to increase to 66,000 per day by 2020. Each tram has seven coaches, including a gold suite and one cabin dedicated to women and children. Dubai Tram will connect big residential, commercial and tourism projects such as Dubai Marina, Media City, Internet City, Knowledge Village and a number of luxury hotels. "This is not the first innovative means of transport that Dubai has launched. In May 2009, the Jumeirah Palm monorail in Dubai was introduced. Four months later, in September, the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula, the Dubai Metro, was launched by Sheikh Mohammed. The metro carries millions of passengers and has revolutionised not just transport in the emirate but the lifestyle of residents," said the daily. The editorial went on to say that Dubai?s phenomenal development has recieved praise from visiting dignitaries as a shining testament to what an exemplary leadership, a committed workforce, and the goodwill of people can achieve.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.
