Dubai Metro Red Line: Major upgrades to drive city’s transit future
The Dubai Metro’s main light rail corridor, the Red Line, is undergoing a significant phase of expansion and operational upgrades as the emirate pushes ahead with plans to enhance public transport capacity, reduce traffic congestion and boost economic growth.
Launched in 2009, the Red Line stretches from Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya) past Downtown Dubai to Life Pharmacy (formerly UAE Exchange) and beyond. In September 2025, Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) introduced a new direct rush-hour service between Centrepoint Station and Al Fardan Exchange Station (formerly Al Khail), reducing the need for transfers and relieving peak-hour congestion.
At the same time, operational changes now enable Red Line trains to alternate between terminals – including Expo City Dubai and Life Pharmacy – without requiring transfers at Jebel Ali. This enhanced flexibility is aimed at reducing travel times and improving the overall commuter experience.
Route scope, station updates and future works
The Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road and connects major stations such as Dubai International Airport (Terminals 1 & 3), Union, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates, and those situated along the Expo-Jebel Ali corridor. Recent amendments to station names (for example, from GGICO to Al Garhoud, Al Khail to Al Fardan Exchange) reflect RTA’s renewed branding and modernisation strategy.
Beyond operational enhancements, the RTA has announced that the full metro network will expand to 140km and 96 stations by 2030, and potentially 228km and 140 stations by 2040. These expansion plans will augment the Red Line’s role at the core of a much larger Metro network.
The RTA is also working to improve the experience for riders. The introduction of direct services and station refurbishments are designed to address overcrowding issues, while systemwide upgrades such as improved cooling, signage and passenger information systems are also being implemented.
Rising passenger numbers highlight demand
Dubai Metro passenger numbers continue to rise exponentially each year. In 2024, the Metro’s Red and Green Lines carried 275.4 million passengers, or more than one-third of the 747.1 million passengers who used public transport (including taxis) in Dubai during this time.
In the first half of 2024, the Metro carried 133 million riders and accounted for 37% of all public transport use in Dubai, the highest share of any mode of public transport.
These figures underline the strategic importance of the Red Line as the backbone of Dubai’s Metro network and highlight the need for the current round of upgrades.
