On Wednesday, the 9th of September 2009 (09/09/09) at 9:09:09 the VP of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and his fellow dignitaries, rode the first metro in Dubai, this marked the opening of the Dubai Metro. The Dubai metro, according to several expats I have met, has been "a big deal". Not only has the construction disrupted most car traveling fellows (which is everyone in Dubai) when all is said and done, the city will spend around 7.6 billion US dollars on this system. The metro is a raised rail car or subway that runs through the city to various stations. I could not figure what all the fuss was about. A new metro, so what? Houston has a metro that barely anyone rides, and Seattle also just opened one so we'll see.
Then, while asking my colleague Patricia, it hit me, it is the very first subway/metro EVER in the Middle East. That's a big deal!
At first, I'd read someplace that the metro would be a wonderful catalyst to bring multiple cultures and various socio-economic groups together. Then, I learned a day before the metro opened that there will eventually be different types of metro tickets for purchase similar to trains in Europe and planes in the US. So the poorer folk will purchase Class C or Class 3 tickets for example while the richer folks Class A or Class 1 if you will and the rich and the poor folk will ride in seperate cars never having to interact. I will be interested to discover the outcome of this idea or decision.
My girls (students) were really excited and I can definitely see why! In a city where expats come into and out of their lives, my students or the locals will most likely live here throughout their lifetimes. Considering there is no tax here, the money for the subway did not come from the workers, teachers, corporate business or out of my pocket. All of the investments being made in Dubai are being done by the Sheikh and the royal family. Many Emiraties are proud when their city makes a long term investment on its infrastructure because they know it will only put there city on the map and make it more desirable of a location to either spend your vacation here or move to.
Needless to say, I witnessed the first metro in the Middle East. Last night, as I was out on Sheikh Zayed Road, I saw the metro go by. I sort of smiled knowing that I did not have to endure as much of the inconvenience it has caused for others while still smiling because I know, at the end of the day, it will make some people's lives much easier.
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