The Dubai Metro is expected to generate revenues of more than AED17 billion ($4.6bn) over the next 10 years, it was reported on Tuesday.
Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Board and executive director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said sources of income would include fares, advertising, stores and station naming rights, which, he added, had been sold for AED1.8bn.
In comments published by Emirates Business on Tuesday, Al Tayer said the Red Line had been built in just 49 months, compared to Delhi which took 48 months to build just six stations and Singapore which took 60 months to complete six metro stations.
A total of 154 contracting companies helped to create the Red Line and 30,000 labourers worked daily on it and the Green Line, he added.
Ten stations will open on Wednesday on the launch day of the rail project while the other 19 stations are 90 per cent complete, Al Tayer told the paper.
"The delayed opening of the stations will benefit the Metro as it will ensure the system operates safely without breakdowns and the trains are on time," he added.
The cost of the Red and Green Lines has risen from the original budget of AED15.5bn to more than AED28bn.
