Dubai starts a swanky tram service

Giving a fillip to Dubai’s transport network, a modern tram service has started operations.

The $1.25 billion project was inaugurated on November 11, after years of delay due to global financial crisis. Passenger services will begin today.

The first tram service in the Gulf region, it will cover a distance of 10.6-kilometres. The tram will run every 10 minutes in peak hours and every 12 minutes during off peak hours.

The trams will have two cabins reserved for women and children. Besides this, another cabin will be reserved ‘gold class’ passengers.

The tram expected to ferry 27,000 people every day. Each tram can accommodate 405 passengers.

While a silver class trip will cost 3 dirhams, the gold class fare will be 6 dirhams per ride, one of the cheapest fares for trams. Some stations have air-conditioned bridges with escalators and lifts.

The service also has the credit of being the world’s first tram network to use platform screen doors at the stations. The tram uses automatic protection technology to ensure comfort and safety to riders, according to Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority. 

The fleet currently has 11 trams and 14 trams will be added in the second stage to bring the total to 25 trams.

The ridership is expected to reach about 66 thousand passengers by 2020. 

According to media reports, drivers can face huge fine of up to 30,000 dirhams ($8,160) if their negligence leads to any accidents on the tram line.