Dubai Metro express service to become permanent

An express train that was introduced on the Dubai Metro's Red Line in October 2012 is set to become a permanent feature, it has been confirmed.The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) launched the service on a temporary basis and it has proven to be a big success.Speaking to Emirates 24/7, director of the RTA's rail operations Ramadan Abdullah revealed the train – which runs between Rashidiya and Jebel Ali in the early hours – will continue to operate on a daily basis.”The express service has been made a permanent service. The number of daily users is between 700 and 800, more than we initially expected,” he was quoted as saying.Extra trains were laid on from 05:30 and 05:40 local time in order to cater for the large number of commuters who need to move around the city every morning. Regular services start at 05:50 each day.Journeys between the two stations usually take between 60 and 70 minutes, but the express service manages to cut this down considerably by missing out 14 stations.A number of popular stations are included on the route, including Emirates Towers and Dubai Internet City, which perhaps explains why the trains have been such a success.The RTA has been working hard to ensure Dubai's public transport network is able to accommodate the growing number of people moving to the city.Plans are in place to expand the Metro and the organisation has also launched new bus services, some of which will provide links to railway stations.The RTA has been showcasing Dubai's latest transport developments at the 60th International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Congress and Exhibition, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland between May 26th and 30th.As well as highlighting the impressive work that has gone into making Dubai one of the best connected cities in the Middle East, the RTA also outlined plans for the UITP Congress in the Middle East & North Africa 2014 – an important event that will take place in Dubai. Taylor Scott International