Two major undergournd stations – each in Deira and Bur Dubai (BurJuman) – where the Red and the Green Lines meet are among the stations still available.

The Red and Green lines are also waiting for proper corporate brand names.

Explaining the reasons why 13 metro stations are still available for corporate branding, Ebrahim said the collecting money was not the aim of the RTA’s initiative for granting the naming rights.

“We have rejected the offers of most of the companies bidding for the names because they did not meet the criteria,” he added.

“We will not award a name regardless of the money offered unless the name suggested for a station is appropriate for the location of the station and match our criteria,” he said.

Ebrahim said the bidding for the naming rights would remain open and only those companies that meet the set criteria would be given the naming rights of the station. The RTA offered 23 of the 47 stations, and the Red and the Green lines of the Dubai Metro project for corporate branding as part of its public-private partnership initiative launched.

Out of the 47 stations for the Dubai Metro system, nine have already been named after companies and financial houses, which funded the construction of the respective stations. Apart from the 23 offered for naming rights, 15 stations will continue to bear the names of landmarks and historical areas in Dubai.

“We expect to raise Dh3 billion from naming right sales from 23 stations and two lines. Each of the 23 stations for naming have a unique value, calculated according to its location, anticipated passenger numbers and other variable factors.”

The minimum price for naming a station starts from Dh6 million a year.

So far etisalat has paid the highest price of Dh135 million for a station in Al Qusais on the Green Line for 10 years. “After 10 years, we will give priority to the companies already holding the naming right over a station. If the company is not interested to renew its agreement, it will be given to others,” he said.

The design of these Metro Stations derived from the heritage of the city that reflects the historical and traditional legacy profile of Dubai in a style that matches its surroundings.

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While reviewing the designs, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad directed for exploring the possibility of adopting such designs for more Metro stations, as he was impressed with the design of both stations that illustrate the history and civilization of the UAE.

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“Conceptual design of the two stations focuses on the traditional architectural ingredients used in antique buildings such as wind towers (Brajeel), oriel (mashrabia), alleyways (sukaik), internal arches and others in an advanced setting.” Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

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“The design of all elevated and at-grade Dubai Metro stations has been modelled on the shape of seashell, inspired from the diving and pearl-fishing heritage of the UAE, while the interior design depicts the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire.

“By securing the approval of this heritage design model, the RTA has combined in this project both heritage and modern designs,” said Al Tayer.

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Due attention has been given to aesthetic and technical dimensions of those elements such that the stations will look like a natural extension of the old and traditional souks in the locality. They will also be viewed as extensions of the Heritage and Diving Village and the existing old control towers in the area. Entrances of the stations will match the architecture of these areas and will be integrated with the design of the Dubai Creek Bank Development Project.

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Sheikh Mohammed launches Dubai Metro trial run

The Metro network will be fully integrated within the network operated by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), a body created in 2005. Routes will be organised around the backbone provided by the rail system. Taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities will be included in key Metro stations to further enhance the system’s role.

Groundworks began in February 2006, centred around the 52.1km Red Line. In August 2006 a second contract worth US$.12bn was awarded to the MHI consortium for bulding the 17.6km Green Line, intersecting with Red Line at two stations.

Green Line will link strategic locations Dubai Airport and Healthcare City. The aim is to open in 2010, one year after the Red Line. In June 2007 Serco (operator of the London Docklands Light Railway) was named as preferred bidder for initial consultation and the system’s operation and maintenance. The L400m contract, potentially for up to 12 and a half years, relates to the first two lines.

The 52.1km (32.5 mile) Red Line will have 29 stations, four of which will be underground. It will run from Rashidiva to Jebel Ali passing the American University of Dubai. It is planned that the first phase will open in 2009. The whole 52.1km is expected to take 60 minutes to travel, with an estimated 32,000 passengers per hour.

The 17.6km Green Line which will have 14 stations – six underground and eight at ground level – from Al Ittihad Square to Rashidiya bus station through Deira City Centre and Dubai Airport Terminals 1 and 3. It will be progressively extended to serve the Deira and Bur Dubai central areas and Souks up to Burjuman and Wafi shopping centres. Interchange stations will be built at Al Ittihad Square and Burjuman with direct connections to the Red Line.

Underground sections in the city centre are on the Red Line from the intersection of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed roads to just before the intersection of Salahuddin and Abu Bakr Al Siddique roads and from Garhoud to Oud Metha Road on the Green Line.