090909 - day of the Dubai Metro
When a giant clock reached 09:09:09 on 09/09/09, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, swiped his personal plastic card at a ticket barrier and became the first passenger on Dubai’s Metro.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, boarded the first ever Dubai Metro train on Wednesday night.
Shaikh Mohammad punched in the first ticket exactly at 9pm, 9 minutes and 9 seconds, on 09/09/09.
My City My Metro.
Fireworks lit up the sky around the Mall of the Emirates station to commemorate the event.
The Mall of the Emirates station is lit up on the night of the project launch.
Metro fans crowd around the Mall of the Emirates station in the hope of getting a glimpse of Dubai's ruler.
Union Square Station.
The chandeliers at Khalid bin Waleed Station.
Ticket machines at Union Square Station.
Deira City Center Station.
Passengers on board one of the first trips on the Dubai Metro on Wednesday night.
Union Square Station.
Another view of Khalid bin Waleed Station.
Three trains will be flagged off tonight at about 9pm as the Dubai Metro rolls into history books as the world’s longest driverless train network on Wednesday.
Before boarding the train, Shaikh Mohammad introduced the blue Nol travel cards, which are personalised with his picture
The train is pictured leaving the Mall of the Emirates station on its maiden journey.
Members of the public will be able to use the Metro from Thursday, September 10.
The official opening hours will be from 6am to 11pm.
the official opening station for lucky winners of the Golden Ticket competition.
The Dubai Metro project represents a glorious culmination of the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
People queue up to use their Nol cards to gain entry at the Nakheel Harbour and Tower Metro Station.
The inside of the Nakheel Harbour and Tower Metro Station.
Passengers look out onto Mall of the Emirates on the train's journey.
Earlier in the evening, Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by officials and members of the press, arrived at the Mall of the Emirates Metro station for the official launch.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, with officials after the inaugural Dubai Metro train arrived at Al Rashidiya Station on Wednesday.
