Dubai’s RTA announces replacement bus service to cover metro closure

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a replacement bus service will operate between the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Ibn Battuta Metro stations over the next 10 weeks as part of expansion work.

The section of the Red Line will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays from July 28 to October 15 to allow construction related to the Route 2020 project to take place,” said Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashemi, director of planning and business development at the RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

Metro riders heading to UAE Exchange will need to disembark at JLT Station and then board again at Ibn Battuta to continue their journey and vice versa for the other direction.

Buses will also transport commuters between Ibn Battuta and Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station and on to JLT.

“This service is offered to meet the needs of public transport riders in general and metro commuters in particular between the said two stations. RTA is always keen to fulfil the needs of public transport users in Dubai, and offer integrated excellent services to customers with the aim of making them happier,” added Al Hashemi.

Route 2020 comprises 15km of underground and overground track that will extend to the Dubai Expo 2020 site from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station through Discovery Gardens, Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Investment Park.

Read: Dubai’s RTA awards $2.9bn Route 2020 metro expansion contract

The Expolink Consortium led by France’s Alstom was awarded the $2.88bn contract for the project last year.

Construction began in 2016 and trials are expected to begin before the end of 2019 with the route to become operational five months before the October 2020 opening of the expo.