The much-awaited Dubai Metro, the flagship project of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will commence operation from September 09, 2009 (09.09.09). Dubai Metro, being the first railway system in the UAE, has been a constant source of excitement and inquisitiveness for all. It will be one of the most advanced urban rail systems in the world and will be the catalyst for tourism, financial and economic growth. The Dubai Metro project is divided into two phases. The first phase will be the construction of the Red Line, which will run along the Sheikh Zayed Road on a viaduct. The second phase will deliver the Green Line that will be built mostly underground.

Date of Inauguration: 09.09.09 Estimated Cost: AED 15.5 billion Distance Covered: 52.1 km from Al Rashidiya to Jebel Ali Duration of Round Trip: 2.33 hours Duration of One-way Trip: 1.12 hours No. of Stations: 28 including 24 elevated & 4 underground Average Distance between Stations: 1.5 km Theme of Dubai Metro Station: Based on 4 elements - air, earth, fire & water

Click to Enlarge the Route map

Dubai Government’s new pricing mechanism for its services

Enhancing the quality of government services has always been Dubai’s top priority. In line with the initiative, Dubai government is about to introduce a new pricing mechanism for its services. The Department of Finance, in coordination with all relevant government departments, has identified ways to reduce fees by an average of 20-30 per cent. The pricing mechanism for government services will be applied as the basis for the review process, which will in no case lead to an increase in fees.

Government services are categorized as:

Public services that are available for all and from which no one can be excluded from, such as public security, infrastructure, environmental protection, etc.

Regulatory and administrative services such as issuing permits, licenses and all types of visas, in addition to registration records, birth certificates, ownership titles, etc

Competitive economic services like medical, educational and other services. This type of service is priced on the basis of market prices.

Non-competitive economic services such as electricity, water, public transportation, sanitation, public car parking, etc. Tariffs for these services are determined on the basis of economic cost in line with global standards.

Service fees that will be reduced under the new fee structure include: