Happy Birthday, Dubai Metro!
This is hard to believe, but the Dubai Metro turns 16 years old today. The launch of the metro wasn’t just another transport upgrade – it was a city-shaping moment that redefined how millions move across the emirate.
The Dubai Metro has quickly grown from a bold experiment into one of the world’s busiest urban rail networks. It moves over 900,000 daily riders each day according to RTA stats, and over 395 million riders used public transport in H1 2025. That’s a lot of passengers…
Swipe through the gallery for some of Dubai Metro’s most iconic moments.
Dubai Metro turns 16
Fireworks to mark the opening of the Dubai Metro on 09-09-09
Dubai Metro turns 16
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE rides the Dubai Metro (surprising many fellow passengers)
Dubai Metro turns 16
Construction of Dubai Metro Union station in April 2006
Dubai Metro turns 16
Passengers take photographs as they ride on the Dubai Metro
Dubai Metro turns 16
Sheikh Mohammed attends the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the first Dubai Metro Blue Line station: Emaar Properties Metro Station
Dubai Metro turns 16
A render of a metro station on the Dubai Metro Blue Line â set to be the tallest in the world
Dubai Metro turns 16
Dubai Metro Music Festival
The exact launch took place at 9:09pm on September 9, 2009.
Usually, with each anniversary, limited edition nol cards are launched – a must for collectors. Last year, the Dubai Metro Music Festival was also scheduled to run during the anniversary. We are waiting for updates on how the RTA will celebrate this year.
If you are new to Dubai or have lived here for a while and haven’t hopped on board yet, here’s your complete guide.
In other big news: Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Blue Line for Dubai’s Metro was first discussed back in 2006, along with other potential lines and the expansion of the existing Red and Green lines. Plans changed amid the global economic slowdown, but due to the city’s resilience, the Blue Line is back on track.
A quick note about the Blue Line: it will connect to the existing Centrepoint station on the Red Line and to Creek station on the Green Line.
When is the Blue Line set to launch?
The Blue Line will begin operations on September 9, 2029, aka 09-09-29 – an ode to the opening of the original Dubai Metro. This also means that the launch will coincide with its 20th anniversary.
*Here’s everything we know about the Blue Line*
More fun facts
Getty Images
The Dubai Metro was an idea of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
On the 10th anniversary, Sheikh Mohammed shared a sweet story on his social media channel X.
Dubai Metro was once a dream. I was 10 years old when I visited London in 1959 with my father who insisted to see a train’s cockpit. 50 years later, Dubai Metro came true in 2009. Nothing is impossible if you can dream it. pic.twitter.com/3wtFGIyzCI
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 8, 2019
“Dubai Metro was once a dream. I was 10 years old when I visited London in 1959 with my father, who insisted on seeing a train’s cockpit. 50 years later, Dubai Metro came true in 2009. Nothing is impossible if you can dream it,” he said.
And, since this was the dream of Sheikh Mohammed, he, of course, was the very first passenger on board. Talk about a dream come true. And a very successful dream, might we add.
Other big news stories you need to be aware of:
Dubai Metro stations get major signage upgrade for smoother commuting
This Blue Line station will be the tallest in the world
These are the exact locations of the 14 stations on the Blue Line
Images: Getty Images, RTA and Dubai Media Office
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
