Dubai RTA raised Dh1.8bn from Metro Station Naming

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority raised Dh1.8bn by inviting companies to bid for naming of 22 out of 47 Metro Station which is due to start operating in September 2009.

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has launched a project to brand 22 out of the 47 stations of the Dubai Metro light railway. Yesterday, official from Dubai RTA has unveiled the names of 22 Dubai's Metro Stations. The project named "Dubai Naming Rights" enables companies to sponsor stations and name them. The money generated from the project will be used to finance public projects, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA. Bidding for the project started on April 15 and has raised Dh1.8bn so far. More than 250 firms applied, and contracts have so far been signed for 19 of the 47 stops along the two planned routes, according to the National newspaper. Names that will be appear on the Red Line, which is plan to be opened in September 2009 include First Gulf Bank Station, Sharaf DG Station and Mall of the Emirates Station. The Green Line, which is due to open in 2010, will include Etisalat Station and Dubai Airport Freezone Station. According to sources, several companies and government entities have not only paid to have stations named after them but have also contributed to the cost of having them built. Emirates Airlines has helped build Emirates Station near the airport, while the property developer Emaar has put money into the Burj Dubai Station. Other stops, however, particularly in the older part of the city, are to be given traditional names based on the area in which they are located.