The Dubai Metro is undergoing a significant expansion with the introduction of the new Blue Line, which is expected to be operational by 2029. This new line will complement the existing Red and Green Lines, enhancing public transport across the city. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that the Dubai Metro Blue Line project is currently in progress, with a budget of Dhs20.5 billion.

Credit: TimeOut Dubai

The RTA announced that the Blue Line is set to begin operations on Sunday, September 9, 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the metro system. Once completed, the Blue Line is projected to accommodate 200 000 passengers daily by 2030, with that number increasing to 320 000 by 2040 as the population of Dubai continues to grow.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, presided over the Blue Line Forum meeting at the end of April 2025, where stakeholders discussed the latest developments and progress of the project. The RTA’s commitment to regular meetings ensures that the project remains on track and that informed decisions are made at every stage.

In a workshop conducted by the RTA, it was revealed that the Blue Line will reduce traffic by 20 percent in nine neighborhoods once it is operational. The RTA also shared plans for the layout of the metro, which will include 14 stations—nine above ground and five underground—spanning over 30 kilometers. Key areas served by the new line include Marsa, Dubai Creek, Festival City, and International City, among others.

The Blue Line project was first announced in November 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Initially estimated to cost Dhs18 billion, the budget has since increased to Dhs20.5 billion following the announcement of a consortium consisting of Turkish firms MAPA and Limak, along with the Chinese construction company CRRC, to execute the project.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the Blue Line would serve areas populated by up to one million residents, stating that the new line is expected to transport 320 000 additional daily passengers. Notably, unlike existing metro lines, over half of the Blue Line will be constructed underground, enhancing the overall infrastructure of public transport in Dubai.

With millions of riders using the Dubai Metro annually, the development of the Blue Line marks an exciting advancement for public transport users in the city, which currently relies on the Green Line in Bur Dubai and Deira and the Red Line connecting various key locations.