Smoother Metro Ride Ahead as Joyriders Thin
Ibrahim Haj Hamad
and Amira Agarib

17 September 2009,

DUBAI — The rail agency of Dubai’s transport authority expects the number of curious joyriders, some of whom have caused avoidable delays by hitting the emergency button, to come down in three weeks and allow better control over crowd movement.
More than 320,000 people have travelled on the Metro since it opened to the public last Thursday. On Tuesday alone, more than 44,000 passengers used it, a three per cent rise over the total reported on Sunday.

Abdul Majid Al Khaja, CEO of the Roads and Transport Authority’s Rail Agency, said that many in the crowd were “joyriders” and expected their numbers to diminish in three weeks.

“Those people were possibly pressing the emergency buttons,” he said on Tuesday night, “because they thought we lost control of the situation.” The repeated act forced trains to stop at the nearest station.

Meanwhile, ahead of a busier second weekend, more buses have been put on standby at the stations and a direct bus line to the Dubai Airport put in place, according to Al Khaja.

Passengers have been warned they will be fined Dh2,000 if they press the button without adequate cause, he said, but the fine is yet to be enforced.

Dubai Police’s team dedicated to the Metro security is taking all necessary measures to ensure safety: they include patrols with sniffer dogs.

Abdulla Al Ghaithi, Director  of Transport Security Department, said 204 personnel had been trained from the total of 668 planned for the team. The rest are under training. Some will be in uniform, others in plainclothes.

Al Ghaithi said the staff had been trained to deal with the public and conduct inspections without disturbing the work or movement. “We have taken all necessary measures to prevent theft crimes that would take place in such places,” Al Ghaithi said.

Officials will be available at the Operation Room of the Dubai Police to deal with emergencies and complaints. Already 3,000 cameras are in place. Two buses are on standby at each station.

Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younes, CEO Strategy and Corporate Governance, RTA, said a bus called the Hot Line will take passengers directly to the airport.

However, Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Metro Operations, RTA, said each passenger to the airport would be allowed only one piece of luggage no more than 81cm by 58cm by 35cm.

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