Dubai Metro's Busiest Station to Undergo Major Expansion

Dubai, UAE - One of Dubai's busiest metro stations is set for a major upgrade, with the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station seeing a 65% increase in passenger capacity. The project will boost hourly capacity from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers, bringing daily capacity to 220,000 and easing pressure during peak periods such as New Year's Eve and major holidays.

While the expansion plan was first announced in June of last year, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed an agreement with Emaar Properties on Thursday to execute the project in response to what officials described as "sustained growth in passenger demand," particularly during national, religious, and major events.

The strain on the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station is most evident during New Year's Eve celebrations, when the RTA transports millions of people across the city. On New Year's Eve 2026, the Dubai Metro moved over 1.24 million passengers on the Red and Green Lines, highlighting the pressure on key stations serving Downtown Dubai during large-scale events.

The development project will increase the station's total area from 6,700 square meters to 8,500 square meters. Implementation measures include upgrading station entrances and pedestrian bridges to facilitate smoother passenger access, expanding the concourse and platform areas, and adding new escalators and elevators.

Entry gates will be separated from exit gates to improve passenger flow, and the number of ticket gates will be increased, with commercial areas expanded. The project also includes integration with public transportation services and other modes of mobility.

The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, and Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar and Noon and Chairman of Eagle Hills, on the sidelines of the Dubai International Project Management Forum.