His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Route 2020, a 15-km extension to Metro Red Line, on Wednesday.

Extending from Jebel Ali Station to Expo 2020 Station, the Dh11 billion Route 2020 project, which links seven stations, will be open to the public in September this year.

The track extends 15km (11.8km elevated track and 3.2km underground track) and links seven stations (one Interchange station with the Red Line, one iconic station at EXPO 2020 site, three elevated stations and two underground stations). The project offers safe and smooth transport for Expo visitors and residents of Dubai communities. It is also viewed as a vital future link between several Dubai communities and Al Maktoum International Airport. The new project serves as a symbol of sustainability, progress and innovation for present and future generations.

With the opening of Route 2020, the total length of the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines will increase to 90 km. At the same time, the total length of rail networks in Dubai will rise to 101 km (90km for the metro and 11km for the tram).

Route 2020 has a capacity of 46,000 riders per hour in both directions (23,000 riders per hour per direction). RTA's studies expect the number of riders using Route 2020 to reach 125,000 per day in 2021, and 275,000 riders per day by 2030.

Seven Stations on Route 2020

Route 2020 has seven stations including one interchange station with the Red Line, one Iconic Station at the site of Expo, three elevated stations and two underground stations.

1. Jebel Ali Station

An interchange station connecting with the Red Line with a total area of 8,800 square metres and extending 150 metres in length, Jebel Ali Station can serve 17,000 riders per hour during peak times and 320,000 riders per day. The station has four platforms, four Bus laybys, 17 taxi drop off and seven parking slots designated for people of determination. It also offers eight retail units of 388 square metres for commercial investment.

2. The Gardens Station

The Gardens Station is an elevated station spanning 8,100 square metres in area and extending 168 metres in length. It can serve 6,773 riders per hour during peak times and 125,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four Bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers five retail units of 161 square metres for commercial investment.

3. Discovery Gardens Station

The Discovery Gardens Station is an elevated station spanning 8,600 square metres in area and extending 168 metres in length. It can serve 4,215 riders per hour during peak times and 125,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four Bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two parking slots for people of determination. It also offers four retail units of 149 square metres for commercial investment.

4. Al Furjan Station

An elevated station spanning 8,400 square metres in area and extending 168 metres in length, Al Furjan Station can serve 4,746 riders per hour during peak times and 125,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four Bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers four retail units of 149 square metres for commercial investment.

5. Jumeirah Golf Estates Station

It is the largest underground station in Dubai with a total area of 28,700 square metres and 232 metres length. It can serve 11,555 riders per hour during peak times and 250,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers 14 retail units of 466 square metres for commercial investment. The station has four ticket vending machines for buying and topping-up Nol cards.

6. Dubai Investment Park Station

It is the second underground station of Route 2020. It spans 27,000 square metres in area and extends 226 metres in length. It can serve 13,899 riders per hour during peak times and 250,000 riders per day. The station has two platforms, four bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and two designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers eight retail units of 315 square metres for commercial investment.

7. Expo Station

It is the terminal station of Route 2020 that mainly serves visitors of Expo. The station spans 18,800 square metres in area and extends 119 metres in length. It can serve 29,000 riders per hour during peak times and 522,000 riders per day. The station has three platforms, six bus laybys, 20 taxi drop off slots and four designated parking slots for people of determination. It also offers nine retail units of 264 square metres for commercial investment. The station has eight ticket vending machines for buying and topping-up Nol cards.

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