Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed the second phase of its major upgrade to the ventilation and air conditioning systems at stations along the Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro.
Overhaul of metro systems
This project is part of RTA’s broader Strategic Plan for 2024–2030, which focuses on enhancing passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.
The latest phase aims to improve the cooling systems of the metro stations, ensuring a comfortable environment for passengers, particularly during the peak summer months.
In total, 876 ventilation and air conditioning assets were overhauled across 14 stations and two car parks on the Red Line. The work was carried out without interrupting metro services, building on the successful completion of Phase 1, which covered 261 assets at 13 stations.
Focus on reliability and comfort
The ongoing initiative is designed to extend the lifecycle of critical assets and ensure their consistent performance over time. Key components such as air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), chilled water pumps, and smoke extract fans were replaced or refurbished during the second phase.
These efforts are part of RTA’s broader maintenance strategy, which prioritizes both passenger comfort and the operational resilience of the metro system. By improving the cooling performance, RTA ensures that the metro network remains comfortable, with internal temperatures maintained at a steady 24 to 25°C despite the external heat.
The 10-month upgrade program was strategically scheduled during off-peak hours and night shifts, minimizing any impact on passengers. This meticulous planning ensured that metro services continued smoothly throughout the project.
Future plans
Preparations for Phase 3 of the project are already underway, focusing on the remaining 25% of public-area FCUs and back-of-house AHUs across Red Line stations. The verification process for this phase began in mid-July 2025.
The project is also looking ahead to potential energy optimization opportunities, with a focus on adopting variable flow technology to enhance efficiency further.
The successful completion of Phase 2 underscores the strong collaboration between RTA’s Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the Dubai Metro. This partnership is crucial in ensuring world-class service standards for Dubai’s metro network.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
