Dubai, July 25, 2025 – The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with its rail partner Keolis-MHI, has successfully completed the second phase of a large-scale ventilation and air conditioning (VAC) upgrade across key stations of the Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines.
The latest phase included the refurbishment of 876 assets across 14 Red Line stations and 2 car parks. The upgrades covered:
- Air Handling Units (AHUs)
- Fan Coil Units (FCUs)
- Chilled water pumps
- Extract and smoke fans
- Pressurization systems
Work involved replacing critical parts, deep-cleaning components, coil replacements, dynamic balancing, and bearing enhancements. Importantly, these upgrades were performed during night hours to avoid disruptions to daily metro operations.
This follows an earlier phase that saw improvements to 261 assets across 13 stations, forming a foundation for the latest enhancements.
The upgraded cooling systems now consistently maintain temperatures between 24 °C and 25 °C, providing comfort to passengers even during the extreme summer heat of Dubai.
Strategic Impact
The VAC upgrades align with the RTA’s long-term strategic plan to enhance the customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability goals. The project also introduces energy-saving measures, such as variable flow technology, aimed at reducing power consumption and operational costs.
What’s Next
The third and final phase of the programme is currently in preparation. It will target the remaining 25% of public FCUs and address back-of-house and critical room AHUs in Red Line stations. Initial testing began in mid-July 2025, with implementation expected to follow later this year.
Why It Matters
- Passenger Comfort: Cooler stations significantly improve the commuting experience, especially during summer.
- Uninterrupted Service: All works were scheduled during off-peak hours, ensuring metro operations continued seamlessly.
- Sustainability: The new systems are more efficient and durable, reducing long-term maintenance needs and environmental impact.
As Dubai continues to invest in world-class infrastructure, this metro upgrade marks another step forward in delivering safe, comfortable, and sustainable public transportation to residents and visitors alike.
