8:04 am - February 15, 2026
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a significant advance in the emirate’s transportation infrastructure. This project, which encompasses a 30-kilometre route featuring 14 new stations, aims to enhance connectivity across the city and cater to the needs of over one million residents by 2040.
The Blue Line represents an essential link in Dubai’s expanding rail network, connecting the existing Green and Red Lines through interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1. Strategically running from Creek Station to Centrepoint Station, it will service key districts including Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. Notably, this project will introduce the first-ever metro viaduct over Dubai Creek and the largest underground interchange station within the city’s transit system.
With the arrival of the Blue Line, Dubai’s total rail system will stretch to 131 kilometres, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains, consolidating the metro’s status as the backbone of the city’s public transport network. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the line is expected to carry approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030 and escalate to 320,000 by 2040, significantly alleviating traffic congestion in the areas it serves by approximately 20%.
Among the project’s most notable features is the Emaar Properties Station, being constructed in Dubai Creek Harbour. This iconic structure is designed by the globally recognised architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, rising to 74 metres tall—it will become the highest metro station in the world upon completion. It spans 11,000 square metres and is designed to accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily, with an expectation of 70,000 daily users by 2040. The station promises a luxurious yet functional environment, equipped with sustainable architectural elements and abundant natural light.
The Blue Line aligns with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seek to boost public mobility, stimulate land value around station areas, and promote economic growth. Economic modelling suggests that the project could yield over AED 56.5 billion in benefits—integrating environmental and social factors alongside economic returns—by 2040. It embodies Dubai’s vision of a “20-minute city,” where essential services are well within a short commute for residents.
This metro expansion also aims to enhance direct access to significant transport hubs, including Dubai International Airport, and will link major economic zones like Dubai Festival City and Academic City, the latter projected to house over 50,000 university students by 2029. Moreover, the line will support multimodal transport solutions, featuring dedicated bus bays, bike and e-scooter parking facilities, and inclusive spaces for people with disabilities.
Since its inauguration in 2009, the Dubai Metro has seen substantial patronage, transporting over 2.5 billion passengers and averaging around 900,000 daily riders. After the Blue Line’s addition, the network’s capacity is anticipated to surpass 850,000 passengers per day. This development, constituting the fifth strategic addition to the public transport system, underscores Dubai’s ambition to rank among the best cities worldwide for quality of living, firmly rooted in sustainable development principles and intelligent urban planning.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://focus.hidubai.com/mohammed-bin-rashid-lays-foundation-stone-for-dubai-metro-blue-line-as-city-expands-rail-network/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/news-and-media/all-news/NewsDetails/announcing-the-awarding-of-dubai-metro-blue-line-project – On 19 December 2024, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the awarding of the Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of three leading Turkish and Chinese companies: MAPA, LIMAK, and CRRC. The project, valued at AED20.5 billion, spans 30 kilometres and includes 14 stations. The Blue Line is set to connect the existing Green and Red Lines through interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1, covering strategic areas such as Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. Once completed, Dubai’s rail system will extend to 131 kilometres, with 78 stations and 168 trains, solidifying the metro’s role as the backbone of the city’s mass transit system.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/transport/dh18-billion-blue-line-approved-dubai-metro-to-be-131km-long-with-78-stations-and-168-trains-1.1700816427300 – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved the Dh18 billion Blue Line project, which will expand the Dubai Metro network to 131 kilometres, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains. The Blue Line will span 30 kilometres with 14 stations, connecting nine key areas, including Dubai International Airport, Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City. The line is anticipated to serve approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure expected to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% in the areas it serves and support Dubai’s ’20-minute city’ vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents.
- https://dmo.dof.gov.ae/en/news-and-publications/latest-press-releases/the-roads-and-transport-authority-awards-the-dubai-metro-blue-line-project/ – The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the Dubai Metro Blue Line Project, a 30-kilometre metro route with 14 stations, to a consortium of three leading Turkish and Chinese companies: MAPA, LIMAK, and CRRC. The project is valued at AED20.5 billion and is expected to be completed by September 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro Red Line. The Blue Line will connect nine key areas, including Dubai International Airport, Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City. The line is anticipated to serve approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure expected to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% in the areas it serves and support Dubai’s ’20-minute city’ vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2023/November/24-11/Mohammed-bin-Rashid-approves-Dubai-Metro-Blue-Line-project – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, a new 30-kilometre metro route that will strategically link key areas in the emirate through 14 stations. The Blue Line will connect the existing Green and Red Lines through interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1, covering strategic areas such as Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. The project is expected to be completed by September 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro Red Line. The Blue Line is anticipated to serve approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure expected to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% in the areas it serves and support Dubai’s ’20-minute city’ vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/its-official-sheikh-mohammed-approves-30km-dubai-metro-blue-line-project – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the Dubai Metro Blue Line project, a new 30-kilometre metro route that will strategically link key areas in the emirate through 14 stations. The Blue Line will connect the existing Green and Red Lines through interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1, covering strategic areas such as Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro Red Line. The Blue Line is anticipated to serve approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure expected to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% in the areas it serves and support Dubai’s ’20-minute city’ vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents.
- https://www.timeoutdubai.com/news/dubai-metro-blue-line – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that work on the Dh20.5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line project is underway. The Blue Line will span 30 kilometres with 14 stations, connecting nine key areas, including Dubai International Airport, Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City. The line is anticipated to serve approximately 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with this figure expected to increase to 320,000 passengers daily by 2040. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro Red Line. The Blue Line is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 20% in the areas it serves and support Dubai’s ’20-minute city’ vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents.
