Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a sweeping Dubai Metro refurbishment, overhauling all 79 trains operating on the Red and Green lines. The annual preventive maintenance programme delivered a record 99.7% punctuality rate — a benchmark the authority says reflects its long-term commitment to safe, reliable public transport.
79 Trains Refurbished, 189 km of Track Reground
Every train in Dubai Metro's fleet has now been serviced as part of the 2024 maintenance cycle. Since the metro launched in 2009, the refurbished trains have collectively logged more than 1.5 million kilometres across the network.
Beyond the rolling stock, RTA engineers carried out rail grinding along the entire length of both the Red and Green lines — 189 kilometres of track in total. Rail grinding removes surface defects and restores rails to their original specifications, extending their lifespan and producing a smoother, quieter ride for the millions of commuters who use the system each year.
"The preventive maintenance programme is a cornerstone of our commitment to operational excellence and sustainability for Dubai Metro," said Hassan Al Mutawa, Director of Rail Maintenance at RTA's Rail Agency.
What the 99.7% Punctuality Rate Means for Riders
A 99.7% train availability and punctuality rate means that for every 1,000 scheduled services, fewer than three run late or are cancelled. For daily commuters on Sheikh Zayed Road and beyond, the figure translates to a network they can set their schedules by — and it positions Dubai Metro among the most reliable urban rail systems in the world.
The preventive approach also reduces the need for costly corrective repairs, keeping long-term operational expenditure down while maximising uptime.
AED 18 Billion Blue Line Expansion Coming in 2029
The maintenance milestone comes as RTA advances its most ambitious expansion yet: the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a new route requiring an investment of AED 18 billion.
The Blue Line is scheduled to begin operations on 9 September 2029 — the metro's 20th anniversary — and will initially serve 200,000 passengers per day, a figure projected to rise to 320,000 by 2040.
The new line will pass through nine major districts, including Dubai Creek, Festival City, International City, Al Rashidiya, Al Warqa, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. It will connect with the existing Red Line at Centrepoint Station and the Green Line at Al Khor Station, significantly expanding the metro's coverage across the eastern and northern parts of the city.
Together, the completed refurbishment programme and the incoming Blue Line underline the RTA's strategy of maintaining what it has while building aggressively for a growing population — ensuring Dubai's rail network remains fit for purpose well into the next decade.
