Proposal for the Dubai Intercity Light Rail (Sightseeing + Commuter Express Line)
Dear Colleagues and Decision-makers of the Dubai Forum,
After a one-week in-depth visit to Dubai, I have personally witnessed the city’s extraordinary prosperity and world-class status: luxury hotels, iconic landmarks, amazing dining experiences, and a vibrant business environment. Dubai truly deserves its reputation as the heart of the Middle East and a top global tourist destination.
However, Dubai has a clear weakness: inconvenient public transportation, difficult cross-area travel, high taxi costs, and severe road congestion. These issues directly affect the tourist experience, daily commutes for residents, and the city’s long-term development.
From the perspective of a visitor and observer, I propose a practical, easy-to-understand, and high-passenger‑flow intercity light rail / above-ground metro plan for discussion at this forum.
I. Core Problems (Common Consensus)
1. The existing metro network has limited coverage and does not efficiently connect Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dragon City, Sharjah, and Ajman.
2. Cross-emirate commuting and inter‑attraction travel rely only on taxis or private cars, which are expensive and time‑consuming due to congestion.
3. High travel costs for tourists and long commutes for local residents restrict commerce, tourism, and consumer vitality.
4. Dragon City, Sharjah, and Ajman are densely populated with huge passenger flows, urgently needing affordable, punctual, and safe public transportation.
II. Solution: Dubai Intercity Sightseeing Light Rail
Positioning: Sightseeing connection + intercity commuting + public welfare
Priority: Above-ground light rail, with short construction time, controllable investment, and fast results.
III. Optimal Route Plan (Connecting the Golden Corridor)
Main Line:
Burj Khalifa (Downtown Dubai) → Burj Al Arab (Jumeirah) → Dragon City → Sharjah City Centre → Ajman Central District
Station Functions
1. Burj Khalifa Station
Dubai’s iconic landmark, serving Dubai Mall, Business Bay, and luxury hotel clusters, with the highest tourist and business passenger flow.
2. Burj Al Arab Station
Serves Jumeirah Beach, the 7-star Burj Al Arab, and the coastal resort area, solving Dubai’s biggest tourism transportation shortcoming.
3. Dragon City Station
The largest Chinese commercial and residential hub in the Middle East, with stable passenger flow, strong consumption power, and great potential to boost wholesale, retail, and cross-border trade.
4. Sharjah City Centre Station
Connects the Cultural Capital Sharjah, enabling 15-minute fast travel between Dubai and Sharjah, and permanently easing long-term congestion on the E11 Highway.
5. Ajman Central Station
Extends to Ajman’s residential areas and beaches, serves millions of commuters, and achieves integration of Dubai–Sharjah–Ajman.
IV. Benefits of This Light Rail
1. Completely solve travel difficulties
Tourists can reach all landmarks directly, with no transfers, no navigation stress, and no traffic jams.
2. Greatly reduce costs
Light rail fares are far lower than taxis, affordable for locals, workers, and visitors alike.
3. Stimulate the overall economy
Connected passenger flows between Burj Al Arab, Dragon City, Sharjah, and Ajman will boost hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourism across the region.
4. Enhance Dubai’s global image
Upgrade from a “city of luxury cars” to a convenient, livable, and friendly world-class city, supporting sustainable long-term growth.
V. Feasible Implementation Principles
- Prioritize above-ground light rail for short construction, controlled investment, and minimal impact on urban landscape.
- Adopt an express-stop system for speed and sightseeing experience.
- Provide seamless transfers with existing metro and bus systems.
- Support online ticketing and multilingual announcements for international visitors.
VI. Conclusion
Dubai has prosperity, luxury, and popularity.
What Dubai lacks is a light rail that connects all its glories.
Once the Burj Khalifa – Burj Al Arab – Dragon City – Sharjah – Ajman Intercity Light Rail is completed, Dubai’s congestion, travel inconvenience, and high-cost pain points will be resolved at once. The city’s competitiveness, tourism appeal, and public well-being will reach a new level.
May this project become a reality soon, making Dubai more connected, prosperous, and global!