TL;DR
- RTA completed a major overhaul of 876
ventilation and air conditioning units across 14 Red Line metro stations, with no service interruptions. - The upgraded systems now keep station temperatures steady at 24–25°C, even during Dubai’s hot summer months.
- Phase 3 will focus on
energy efficiency upgrades and remaining equipment, aiming to reduce energy use and boost sustainability.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has just wrapped up a major upgrade of the ventilation and air conditioning systems on the Red Line and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro. This work is part of a bigger strategy to make sure passengers stay comfortable, and the metro runs smoothly, especially during the peak heat of Dubai summers.Cooling a busy metro station is no small task. Doors open every few minutes, letting in hot outside air. To keep stations cool and pleasant, the ventilation and air conditioning systems must work perfectly. RTA’s recent overhaul covered 876 units, including air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), pumps, and fans. These were repaired, cleaned, and replaced where needed to restore them to full working order.Importantly, all this work happened without stopping or slowing down train service. Passengers enjoyed their rides with no interruptions. This careful planning reflects RTA’s focus on combining maintenance with smooth operations.
What the Upgrade Covered
- Wide Reach: The upgrade focused on 14 stations and two car parks along the Red Line, making it the largest overhaul of its kind for Dubai Metro’s cooling systems so far.
- Key Components Serviced: The project included air handling units, fan coil units, chilled water pumps, extract fans, smoke extract fans, and pressurisation units.
- Maintenance Details: Tasks involved replacing bearings and cooling coils, deep cleaning equipment, and dynamic balancing. These steps ensure the systems run quietly, efficiently, and reliably.
- No Interruptions: The work was done mostly at night and during off-peak hours to keep the metro fully operational throughout the day.
- Building on Success: This phase followed an earlier one that upgraded 261 units across 13 stations, making the entire program a thorough refresh of the metro’s cooling infrastructure.
Why Cooling Systems Matter for Dubai Metro
Dubai’s extreme heat presents a constant challenge for public transport. Every few minutes, train doors open, allowing hot air to flow inside. Without strong ventilation and air conditioning, stations would quickly become uncomfortable and even unsafe for passengers.Maintaining a stable temperature between 24 and 25°C inside stations is essential. It makes waiting and traveling more comfortable and reduces the risk of heat-related issues. It also helps keep the equipment itself in good condition, preventing breakdowns caused by overheating.This upgrade directly improves passenger experience, which is a core goal of RTA’s strategic plan from 2024 to 2030. It also supports operational resilience, meaning the metro is less likely to face service disruptions due to cooling failures.
What’s Next: Energy Savings and Sustainability
RTA is already preparing Phase 3 of the ventilation and air conditioning overhaul. This stage will target the remaining 25% of fan coil units in public areas and the air handling units in back-of-house and critical areas. Testing and verification work for this phase began in July 2025.Besides repairs, the project aims to introduce energy optimization. RTA is looking into variable flow technology, which can adjust airflow based on demand. This reduces energy consumption and helps lower the carbon footprint of the metro system, an important step for Dubai’s sustainability goals.
Teamwork Behind the Upgrade
This large-scale project reflects strong cooperation between RTA’s Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI, the company that operates and maintains Dubai Metro and Tram services. Their joint effort ensured the work was completed efficiently and safely, with minimal impact on passengers.