Your daily commute on the Dubai Metro Red Line just got a major upgrade. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai has announced an exciting change: the Red Line will now operate with three distinct routes.

These new routes are introduced to ease congestion, cut travel time, and give passengers more flexibility across the city.

Here’s a closer look at the Dubai Metro's new routes that rolled out this week.

About the Dubai Metro Red Line

The launch of three new routes comes just as Dubai celebrates a milestone, with its population surpassing four million residents.

The Red Line first opened in 2009, followed by the Green Line in 2011, marking the start of Dubai Metro’s rapid growth. Another leap forward is already planned with the Blue Line, scheduled to launch in 2029.

Alongside these metro expansions, the RTA is upgrading bus services and carrying out road projects to ease traffic across the emirate.

According to RTA, in the first half of 2025, Dubai’s public transport network carried over 395 million passengers, a 9% increase on the previous year. The Metro led the way with 143.9 million trips, accounting for 36.5% of all journeys across the network.

The Three New Routes 

Route 1: Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy Station

Stretching from Centrepoint Station (near Dubai International Airport) to Life Pharmacy Station in Jebel Ali, this route is the classic full-length ride. Previously known as UAE Exchange Station, Life Pharmacy is the southwestern end of the line.

The major advantage here: Passengers no longer need to switch trains at Jebel Ali to reach the far terminus. The RTA Dubai Metro update means you can now stay comfortably in your seat from one end of the city to the other.

Route 2: Centrepoint to Expo City Dubai

All routes (and tracks) lead to Expo City! The second route runs directly from Centrepoint to Expo City Dubai, weaving through Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, and Jumeirah Golf Estates along the way.

This extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line was created for Expo 2020 and has now become a permanent part of the city’s transport network.

Thanks to the latest Dubai Metro route changes, Expo-bound passengers enjoy a direct journey with no transfers at Jebel Ali.

Route 3: Centrepoint to Al Fardan Exchange (Peak-Hour Special)

Here’s the newest addition, a peak-hour shuttle between Centrepoint and Al Fardan Exchange Station (formerly Al Khail). 

This new short-turn service covers the busiest stretch of the Red Line, stopping at key city stations like Union, BurJuman, World Trade Centre, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, and Mall of the Emirates before turning back at Al Fardan Exchange.

The timings are tailored for rush hour. It will run from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This extra route will service the following stations on the Red Line:

• Centrepoint Station
• Emirates
• Airport Terminal 3
• Airport Terminal 1
• Al Garhoud
• City Centre Deira
• Al Rigga
• Union
• BurJuman
• ADCB
• Max
• World Trade Centre
• Emirates Towers
• Financial Centre
• Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
• Business Bay
• ONPASSIVE
• Equiti
• Mall of the Emirates
• InsuranceMarket
• Dubai Internet City
• Al Fardan Exchange

FAQs About the Dubai Metro Red Line

How many routes does the Dubai Metro Red Line have now?

Three routes: Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy, Centrepoint to Expo City Dubai, and Centrepoint to Al Fardan Exchange (peak hours).

Do I still need to transfer at Jabal Ali?

No. Direct services now run to both Life Pharmacy and Expo City Dubai, so no mid-journey transfers are needed.

Is the Dubai Metro planning any further expansions?

Yes, the new Blue Line is already on the horizon, set to roll out in 2029, with more than 30km of track and 14 stations.