DUBAI — Dubai Tram was officially launched on Tuesday evening. Passenger services will start on Wednesday, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said. The first phase of the tram will stretch 10.6 kilometers with 11 stations covering major residential and commercial areas between Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh. Dubai Tram is the first tram outside Europe powered by ground-based electric cables extending throughout the tramway, avoiding the need for hanging cables, and the first tram in the world to utilize platform screen doors, which synchronize with the opening and closing of the tram doors to provide additional safety to riders. The project is also the first tram to offer air-conditioned stations and different cabin classes, integrating the same gold, silver and women & children carriage system as the Dubai Metro. Dubai's public transport agency is expected to begin the second phase of the tram project soon, officials said earlier this week. The second stage of the Dubai Tram will extend 14.6 km along Sufouh Street, RTA added, though it did not specify a start date. The entire tram network spans 17 stations with the initial stage covering 11 stations including JBR 1, JBR 2, JLT, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Marina Towers, Mina Siyahi, Dubai Media City, the Palm Jumeirah, Knowledge Village, and Sufouh. The tram fleet comprises 11 trams in the initial stage, with 14 trams to be added in the second stage, bringing total to 25 trams. — Agencies
