A Dubai Metro station. ARCHIVE

Dubai’s busiest metro station is set for a major expansion as passenger demand continues to surge, particularly during peak travel periods such as New Year’s Eve and major holidays. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with Emaar Properties to expand the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, increasing its capacity by 65 percent. Once completed, the station will be able to handle up to 220,000 passengers a day. The project will see the station’s total area grow from 6,700 square metres to 8,500 square metres. Improvements will include wider concourse and platform areas, upgraded station entrances, improved pedestrian bridges, and the addition of new escalators and lifts to ease passenger movement. To further improve crowd flow, entry and exit gates will be separated, more fare gates will be installed, and commercial spaces within the station will be expanded. The upgrade will also improve connections with other public transport services and mobility options, alongside landscaping works around the station. When completed, the station’s passenger handling capacity will increase from 7,250 passengers per hour to 12,320 passengers per hour, marking a significant boost in efficiency during peak times. The agreement was signed by RTA Director-General and Chairman Mattar Al Tayer and Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar on the sidelines of the Dubai World Project Management Forum, in the presence of officials from both organisations. Al Tayer said the partnership reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors. He noted that the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station plays a critical role in the Dubai Metro network due to its strategic location near Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the wider Downtown Dubai area. He added that increasing the station’s capacity will significantly enhance metro services during peak periods, especially during New Year’s Eve celebrations and national and religious holidays. Over the past five years, the station has recorded passenger growth of 7.5 percent. Since opening in early 2010, the station has seen steady growth in ridership. Passenger numbers rose from 6.13 million in 2013 to more than 7.8 million in 2019. Ridership continued to climb after the pandemic, exceeding 10.2 million passengers in 2023. In 2024, usage surpassed 10.5 million passengers, with figures now approaching nearly 11 million annually. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page