Abu Dhabi metro planned

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced plans to create a city-wide metro system, with a fast rail link between the capital and Dubai within seven years.

UAE daily The National, quoted Falah Al-Ahbabi, general manager of Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council, as saying the capitals predicted population growth to more than 3 million means the city's road network will not be able to cope with the corresponding increase in private car usage.

Mr Al-Ahbabi said a report due by the end of this year would detail the new system with work on the new railway line also beginning shortly afterwards.

"We have to decide on the routes, and whether it is going to be overground or underground, or both," said Mr Al-Ahbabi, adding that a private sector contractor would be required to build the system once the report was finished.

The announcement comes days after Dubai said it would launch its first tram system, a 14 km long network. Its Road and Transport Authority (RTA) said the AED 4 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) tram project will span 19 stations along Al Safooh Road, linking the Madinat Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates with Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Mattar Al-Tayer, executive director at the RTA, said the Al Safooh tram project is part of the authority's intention to provide mass transit systems - including metro, tram, bus, and marine transport - by 2020.

UAE based Emaar Properties has also unveiled plans for a US$ 136 million tram system for its Downtown Burj Dubai development.

The 4.6 km-long Downtown Burj Dubai Tram System will be constructed to meet the "commuting needs" of residents and visitors to the US$ 20 billion mixed-use neighbourhood.

The first phase, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2009, will feature a 1.1 km twin track express link shuttle service between the Burj Palace interchange station with Dubai Metro and The Dubai Mall.

Phase two, a 4.6 km-long, single track, commuter service, will operate to and from the Burj Palace interchange station and the Metro.