RTA, in collaboration with Emaar, has announced the expansion of the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station to accommodate surging passenger volumes during key events and holidays
Written by Reeba Asghar
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Emaar Properties, has announced the expansion of the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station to accommodate the growing number of users, particularly during New Year’s Eve celebrations and during national holidays. The station’s area will increase from 6,700 square metres to 8,500 square metres, and its capacity will rise from 7,250 passengers per hour to 12,320 passengers per hour, representing a 65% increase. Upon completion of the expansion, the station’s daily capacity will reach 220,000 passengers per day.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station is one of the most important stations of the Dubai Metro, given its vital location near Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai. The station is the best and easiest option for residents and visitors to and from the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall area, especially during New Year’s celebrations and during holidays, occasions and national holidays. The station’s expansion aims to accommodate the continuous growth in the number of passengers and the expected increase until 2040. The number of passengers using the station during New Year’s celebrations will exceed 110,000 passengers. The past five years have recorded an annual growth rate of 7.5% in the number of users of the station.
Number of Passengers
Al Tayer added: “The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station has witnessed a growth in the number of its users since its opening in early 2010. The number of passengers increased from 6.13 million in 2013 to 7.254 million in 2016. The number continued to rise to reach 7.885 million in 2019, with a daily passenger load of 43,000. The number then increased to 8.827 million in 2022. The number of passengers at the station exceeded 10.202 million in 2023, with a daily passenger load of 56,000. The number of passengers at the station reached more than 10.577 million in 2024, with a daily passenger load of nearly 58,000.”
His Excellency the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors explained that the project includes, in addition to increasing the station area from 6,700 square meters to 8,500 square meters, improving entrances and pedestrian bridges to facilitate passenger access to the station, expanding the concourse area and platforms, constructing additional stairs and elevators, separating the entry gates from the exit gates, increasing the number of fare gates, and expanding investment areas to boost revenues. The project also includes implementing works related to integration elements with public transportation and other means of transportation, and landscaping works.
Station Design
It is worth noting that the architectural design of the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station is similar to the design of the elevated stations of the Dubai Metro on the Red and Green lines, and is a shell-shaped design. The interior design is based on the current design style and the axes of safety, security, and ease of passenger movement. The design takes into account clarity and simplicity, while minimizing travel distances to the minimum possible level. The available spaces take into account maintaining visual contact. The station entrances at ground level are integrated with public transport and other means of transportation, including bicycles, electric scooters, and others. They provide a direct connection to pedestrian traffic and communication with the station’s surrounding environment. The station also takes into account the requirements of people of determination, senior citizens and residents, and baby strollers.
