The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that the Dubai Metro Blue Line will open on September 9, 2029 — exactly 20 years after Dubai Metro first launched. The long-awaited line represents a major expansion of the city's rail network, connecting districts that currently have no metro access.
Route, Stations, and Key Connections
The Dubai Metro Blue Line spans 30 kilometres and includes 14 stations — nine elevated and five underground. It operates as two branches joined at an interchange at International City:
- Branch one runs from Al Khor Interchange Station (Green Line connection in Al Jaddaf) through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor to International City, then continues to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Academic City. - Branch two runs from Centrepoint Interchange Station (Red Line connection in Al Rashidiya) through Mirdif and Al Warqaa to International City.
The line directly connects with the Red Line at Centrepoint Station and the Green Line at Al Khor Station, making cross-network transfers straightforward. Key areas served include Dubai Creek, Festival City, Mirdif City, International City, Silicon Oasis, and Academic City.
AED 20.5 Billion Investment and Contractors
The RTA awarded the Blue Line contract to a Turkish consortium of MAPA and Limak, alongside China's CRRC. The total project cost stands at AED 20.5 billion, up from an initial estimate of AED 18 billion — a figure that reflects the scale and complexity of the infrastructure involved.
Capacity and Ridership Projections
Once operational, the Blue Line will accommodate up to 46,000 passengers per hour in both directions. Daily ridership is projected to reach 200,000 in 2030 and rise to 320,000 by 2040. The RTA also expects the line to reduce traffic congestion in the corridors it serves by around 20 percent.
Engineering Highlights and Green Standards
A notable engineering feature is the 1,300-metre bridge crossing Dubai Creek — the first such crossing in the Dubai Metro network. The line will also connect to Dubai International Airport, with travel times estimated at 10 to 25 minutes depending on origin station.
The Blue Line is the first Dubai transport project built to Platinum-rated green building standards, setting a new benchmark for sustainable infrastructure in the emirate.
Long-Term Urban Impact
By 2040, the districts served by the Blue Line are projected to house one million residents. Property values within half a kilometre of the line are expected to rise by 25 percent by that same year, underlining the Blue Line's significance as both a transport and urban development catalyst.
