Dubai: Dubai has revealed its plans for its largest public transport expansion to date. Announced on Wednesday, 22 April, the Dh34 billion Dubai Metro Gold Line project is set to pass through key residential and growth hubs across old Dubai, central districts, and newer communities, while providing a vital link to the Etihad Rail.Spanning 42 kilometres, the Gold Line will expand the Dubai Metro network by 35 per cent and it also marks a milestone as the first fully integrated, entirely underground route in Dubai.Here is how this ambitious project will improve the commute and lives of Dubai residents, according to the latest details from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).1.
A strategic route across 15 key locationsThe Gold Line originates at Al Ghubaiba in old Dubai and passes through 15 strategically chosen locations, connecting some of the city's most populated and economically active zones.The route will weave through 15 strategic locations including:Mina RashidCity WalkBusiness BayMohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) CityNad Al ShebaMeydanAl Barsha South & Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)Jumeirah Golf EstatesGet updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. 2. More than 1.5 million residents will benefit by 2040The Gold Line has been planned with long-term population growth firmly in mind.
The route will serve over 55 development projects and is projected to benefit more than 1.5 million people by 2040, with daily ridership expected to hit 465,000 passengers. View this post on Instagram 3. The Dubai Metro network will grow by 35 per centCurrently, Dubai's metro spans 120 kilometres across the Red Line, Green Line, and Route 2020.
The Gold Line adds a further 42 kilometres, bringing the total network to 162 kilometres, a significant expansion that will also increase the number of metro stations from 67 to 85 stations.4. Seamless connections to the Dubai Metro’s Red Line and Green LineThe Gold Line route connects with the Red Line at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates, and with the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba. It also links up with Etihad Rail at Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates, the national railway network that connects Dubai with the wider UAE.5.
A direct link to the Etihad Rail networkIn a boost for national connectivity, the Gold Line will link directly with the Etihad Rail network at two key hubs: Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates. This makes travelling between emirates easier than ever before.Dubai Rail Network Plan - 2032 @rta_dubai pic.twitter.com/KqxaYTwFV9— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 22, 2026 6. Pressure on the Red Line will ease by nearly a quarterOne of the most practically significant benefits of the Gold Line is that it will reduce congestion on the Red Line between Burjuman and ONPASSIVE stations by 23 per cent.This stretch is currently one of the busiest on the entire network.
The Gold Line will also introduce loop services designed to improve mobility across both short and long distances, strengthening the overall coherence of the transit network.7. 40 million fewer car journeys on Dubai's roads every yearThe RTA estimates the route will remove over 40 million journeys annually from Dubai's road network, easing congestion on major arterial roads, improving air quality, reducing road accident rates, and cutting carbon emissions.RTA opens Hessa Street project, doubling capacity and cutting travel time in Dubai8. Property values near Gold Line stations are set to rise by 20 per centWhilst exact station locations have not yet been confirmed, the route map already signals significant upside for property owners in communities along the corridor.Property values for both residential and commercial units in areas such as JVC, Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), Al Barsha South, MBR City, and Nad Al Sheba are expected to increase by up to 20 per cent due to their proximity to a metro station.9.
A 430 per cent cumulative economic returnAs for wider economic growth and quality of life in Dubai, the Gold Line represents a strategic investment projected to achieve a 430 per cent cumulative economic return over 20 years of operation, driven by savings in time and fuel, as well as reductions in road accident fatality rates and carbon emissions.Mohammed bin Rashid launches the Dubai Metro Gold Line project, the first fully integrated underground metro line, with a total investment of AED 34 billion. The project is scheduled to open on 9-9-2032.@rta_dubai pic.twitter.com/Js8fiUh7LD— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 22, 2026 10. Construction will be fully underground - with minimal disruption to communitiesThe Gold Line will be the first entirely underground metro route in Dubai, running at a depth of 40 metres beneath the city.Construction will use the latest tunnel boring machine technology to minimise surface disruption, a significant consideration for the established residential and commercial districts along the route.When will the Dubai Metro Gold Lin