Dubai Metro starts trial operations

             Indo-Asian News Service

     Dubai, Sep 21 (IANS) Dubai Metro, the world's largest automated driverless metro rail network, has commenced its trial run across an 11-km stretch in this Middle East metropolis.

     Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the trial between the Jebel Ali station to the south of the city and the Ibn Batuta Mall station Saturday, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Sunday.

     Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by a delegation of high-level officials at the launch.

     The train started at a speed of 30 km per hour and accelerated to 90 km per hour.

     Sheikh Mohammed also commissioned the metro's internet wireless service (Wi-Fi), which will cover the coaches on the two main tracks, the Red Line and the Green Line.

     The service, being provided by leading telecom operator Du, will allow passengers to use their laptops during the journey.

     The 15.5-billion dirham ($4.2 billion) Dubai Metro, once completed, will run across 75 km covering 47 stations, including 10 underground stations.

     Around 24,000 engineers, technicians and workers are involved in construction of the project, apart from 105 sub-contractors.

     The first phase of the network is expected to be operational by September next year.

     Indo-Asian News Service

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