The Dubai Metro Expo 2020 extension. Jebel Ali to Al Furjan.

3 years after I started documenting the construction of the Dubai Metro driverless train, the Expo2020 line opened on January 1st.

The journey between Jebel Ali and Al Furjan takes about six minutes and frequency will be 10 minutes at a rate of six trains per hour, with the route serving 4,176 riders per hour per direction. From Jebel Ali I can change to the main line and access the Marina, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall and the Airport within 10-40 minutes, or 5 mins towards Abu Dhabi for Ibn Battuta Mall. I can also access bus routes from the metro stations to the malls, medical centres, beauty salons, supermarkets as well as the beach, tourist attractions, the canal and ferry terminals and Old Dubai, the Creek and the Souks. Pretty much ALL of Dubai.

I prefer travelling by public transport, you see so much more interesting places to just stop off at get a great view of the ever changing city, meet some interesting people and best of all, it costs less than £1 to travel the length of the line in one go.

January 2018

January 2019

January 2020

January 2021

Looking back at where I've been taking my photographs from.

Inside Al Furjan Station

Come ride the Metro with me

    

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Ain Dubai - World's tallest Ferris wheel.

Underneath the Dubai Eye - The World's tallest Ferris wheel which stands at 250 meters high. The London Eye is 135 meters.

The land where I'm standing was being built in the sea in January 2013 when I first visited Dubai. You can see the photo's of the Bluewater Island and the Dubai Eye or Ain Dubai to give it, it's correct name.

There were 4 pods on when I visited in August, my husband informed me last week more pods have been added. It'll be interesting to see how much it has changed and whether it's open when I go back in November. It was supposed to be opened in time for Expo 2020, however that has been postponed till next year.

Going Green in Dubai at Al Khazan Solar Park

The first solar powered and environmentally friendly park in Dubai was opened in 2015.

Located opposite City Walk, it's location means the solar panels receive sunlight, with no shadow throughout the year.

It operates 100% on solar energy.

This project is inline with Dubai's vision for 2010 to reduce energy consumption by 30%

The Park was built in 1980 and the water tower is a landmark in the area. 

Parking is on near by streets and can be reached by a short walk from a bus stop.

Children's play area.

Plenty of open space to picnic and some shady spots under the trees.

Solar panels, opposite City Walk.

Cafe

Book shop

New Dubai Metro Station Discovery Gardens

I posted a photo of the new Metro Line for Expo 2020 for Week 163, showing the progress of the line between October 2017 and 11th February 2018. Well I travelled to the UK for 4 weeks and I returned home to discover the new station is well underway and thankfully not that far from where I live.

I'll photograph it's progress weekly between now and May 31st when I next leave Dubai to see how far it's come along.

Week 158 Bluewater Islands and Dubai Eye. Man made island a 210m high Big Wheel
Week 159 Dubai Marina - Reflections
Week 160 Dubai Frame. A window between the Old and New Dubai and a 150m high glass floor.

Week 161 Dubai Marina 3 years apart.

Week 162 Dubai Water Canal Bridge Construction and reconfiguration of roads

Week 163 New Metro Line for Expo 2020
Week 164 Hoover Dam 2002 - 2010
Week 165 Dubai Opera House What a difference a year makes
Week 166 Unfinished buildings. The Pentominium
Week 167 Mixing the old and the new. Coventry Catherdral