With the addition of the Blue Line, Dubai Future Metro lines will go beyond the current Red and Green lines.. The Blue Line will be 30 kilometers, and will have a 14-station rapid transit corridor that will go through areas like Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Mirdif, and Academic City, which are growing quickly. The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is investing 18 billion dirhams in this project, which is set to open on September 9, 2029.
It will not only help Dubai reach its goal of a smooth, long-lasting public transportation system, but it will also likely change the prices of homes along its path. The Blue Line is going to be a game-changer for both residents and real estate owners. It will cut commute times in half and create new “20-minute city” neighborhoods.
Overview
The Blue Line is the main project of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. It will connect major hubs, going from the Creek junction on the Green Line to Academic City via Festival City, Ras Al Khor, and Dubai International City. At Centerpoint, it will connect directly to the Red Line. The plan by the global firm SOM includes famous stations like the 8,800 m² Dubai Creek Harbour station and the 44,000 m² International City interchange, the largest underground node in the network. The plan has 15.5 km of underground track and 14.5 km of elevated track.
By 2040, the Blue Line should be carrying 320,000 people every day, cutting traffic by 20% and creating 56.5 billion AED worth of economic, social, and environmental benefits, or 2.60 AED for every dirham spent.
Dubai Metro Blue Line Route
The Blue Line features two branches that converge at Dubai International City Station 1:
Creek Branch (21 km, 10 stations): at the Centerpoint junction (Red Line). It goes through Mirdif and Al Warqaa and meets the Creek branch at Dubai International City Station 1.
Centrepoint Branch (9 km, 4 stations): It begins at the Centerpoint junction (Red Line), goes through Mirdif and Al Warqaa, and links into the Creek branch at Dubai International City Station
A depot at Al Ruwayyah 3 supports operations. Interchanges with the Etihad Rail network further integrate regional rail services
dubai future metro lines Schedule
Tender Submission: Closed November 2024
Tunnel Boring: Begins 2025
Trial Operations: 2028
Official Opening: 9 September 2029 (20th Metro anniversary)
Train Frequency & Capacity:
Service Interval: Approximately 1.5–2 minutes during peak hours
Hourly Capacity: Up to 56,000 passengers per direction
Daily Ridership Projections: ~200,000 by 2030; 320,000 by 2040
Fees
Construction & Development Cost
Total Investment: AED 18 billion
Passenger Fares (Nol Card Zones)
Card Type | 1 Zone | 2 Zone | 3+ Zones |
Silver Card | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.5 |
Gold Card (surcharge) | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
Red Ticket (single) | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.5 |
Developing Company
The RTA has partnered with global engineering and construction consortia, including bids led by:
Limak, Mapa Group, CRRC
Larsen & Toubro, PowerChina, Wade Adams, Hitachi
FCC, China State Construction Engineering, Alstom
Architecture and station design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, exemplifying Dubai’s commitment to iconic, sustainable infrastructure
Nol Card Types and Costs
Nol cards are smart-tap cards used across Dubai’s transport and parking network.
Card Type | Unit Price (AED | Maximum Balance | Validity | Key Features |
Red Ticket | 2 (<=10 trips) | 10 trips | 90 days | Paper ticket for occasional travelers; pay-per-trip |
Silver Card | 25 (incl.19 credit) | 5,000 | 5 years | Standard card for frequent use |
Gold Card | 25 (incl.19 credit) | 5,000 | 5 years | Access Gold-class cabins (double fare) |
Blue (Personal) Card | 70 (incl.20 credit) | 5,000 | 5 years | Registered; concessions for students, seniors, etc.; balance protection |
UAE seniors, students, and people of determination can get 50% off Blue Card prices; children under 5 and people of determination can travel for free on Blue Card fares.
How the Blue Line Will Impact Real Estate
The link between transport infrastructure and property values homes within a 10–15 minute walk of existing Red and Green Line stations saw price increases of 26.7% (2010–2022), outpacing Dubai’s overall market growth of 24.1%. Experts predict that there will be greater uplifts along the Blue Line corridor, such as:
Price Appreciation:
Homes which are a 10-minute walk from the metro may sell for 10–15% more; places like Dubai Creek Harbour and Silicon Oasis may see 20–25% gains as demand rises.
Rental Growth:
Because of how convenient it will be for commuters to get to Downtown and DIFC, apartments near future stations are expected to have rents that are up to 30% higher
New Investment Zones:
Some districts, like International City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, and Al Warqaa, will go from being on the edges to being in the center, which will lead to off-plan starts and mixed-use projects.
20-Minute City Concept:
The Blue Line will help make the “20-minute city” vision a reality by reducing the need for cars and putting important services near stations. This will attract people who want to live in walkable, transit-oriented communities.
As Dubai moves into the next phase of urban growth, land parcels and existing properties along the Blue Line route are great opportunities for real estate investors to make money by increasing their capital and rental yields.
Often Asked Questions (FAQs)
Official rollout is slated for 9 September 2029, marking the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro
Property values and rents are expected to go up the most in Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Mirdif, International City, Al Warqaa, and Festival City because they are close to the metro.
You can use the Nol Red Ticket or any of the Nol Cards (Silver, Gold, or Blue). People who are eligible can use the Blue (Personal) Card to get lower fares.
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