Metro services on the Red Line have been restored after a significant disruption between Equiti and Max stations on Monday evening, affecting peak hour commuters. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai announced the resumption of services early Tuesday morning.
Evening Commute Chaos
The disruption began during the busy evening rush hour, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters. The RTA promptly informed passengers of expected delays due to technical issues and provided alternative bus services at the affected stations.
Eyewitnesses reported that passengers traveling towards Max station were asked to disembark from trains, while those waiting on platforms were not permitted to board. Announcements at the DMCC metro station kept commuters updated, stating, “Train services are experiencing delays on the red line. Please listen for further announcements.” However, no train schedules were displayed on the screens near the information desk, adding to the confusion.
Commuter Struggles
Pratik, a gym instructor living in Business Bay, had to cancel a training session with a client near Dubai World Centre due to the disruption. “I tried to hail a cab but couldn’t find one,” he said.
Anette, another resident who works at a hotel in Business Bay, walked to the Business Bay Metro Station only to find the trains not running. “I can’t believe this. I was counting on the metro to get home quickly. Now I’m stuck like everyone else,” she said.
A KT staffer, who usually takes 15-18 minutes to travel home to Karama, was stuck navigating three different buses late into the night. “There are huge crowds at metro stations and lots of traffic as people wait for buses to be arranged,” he reported.
Alternative Transport Measures
With metro services halted, the RTA swiftly arranged for alternative bus services to assist stranded commuters. However, the large crowds and increased traffic made the situation challenging for many.
Service Restoration and RTA’s Response
In a post on X at 6.33 am Tuesday, the RTA confirmed that Red Line services had been restored. The authority thanked metro users for their cooperation during the disruption.
Critical Interchange Stations Affected
The disruption impacted several key stations on the Red Line, including Business Bay, Dubai Mall, Financial Centre, Emirates Towers, World Trade Centre, Max, ADCB, Burjuman, and Union. These stations serve as crucial points for passengers, especially those needing to switch to the Green Line at interchange stations like Union and Burjuman, which connect to Etisalat and Creek stations.
As metro services resume, the RTA continues to monitor and address any issues to ensure smooth operations for the city’s commuters.
