09.09.09 at 09:09:09 PM - The Dubai metro is open!

Today the Dubai Metro has been opened by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

I think the stations are really beautiful, haven't seen the inside yet but we will report back once we have taken a trip.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, called the metro a vital component to the nation’s infrastructure. “It's the start of something,” he told reporters before the operation’s launch. “It is like when the first plane flew for Emirates (airline) and the first container ship arrived into port.”

There are over one million automobiles registered in Dubai, amounting to a car for every two residents. This has lead to unbearable bumper-to-bumper traffic in the growing city.

While the opening date was meant to imply symbolism—09/09/09—Wednesday’s opening seemed rushed. As of now, only 10 of 29 stations are functioning. Some stations won’t open until as late as June. The project, moreover, is nearly 80 percent over budget.

Nevertheless, the new metro is among the most technologically advanced in the world. It is entirely driverless and controlled by remote controls. A screen barrier between passengers and the track keeps the stations air conditioned, while Internet is anticipated in the future. In line with cultural considerations, each five-car train has separate compartments for women and children. A ride on the new metro will cost 1.8 dirhams, or about 50 U.S. cents, while the gold-class trip will cost 13 dirhams, or $3.55, each way. RTA anticipates 200 million passenger trips annually