Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Emaar Properties, has unveiled plans to expand the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, boosting its hourly capacity by 65 percent—from 7,250 to 12,320 passengers.
The upgrade, announced Sunday, aims to accommodate the ever-growing demand at one of Dubai’s busiest transport hubs, especially during major events and holidays like New Year’s Eve.
As part of the project, the station’s total area will grow from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres. Once completed, it will be able to handle up to 220,000 passengers daily. Enhancements include improved station entrances, wider concourses and platforms, additional escalators and lifts, and clearly separated gates for entry and exit to streamline crowd flow.
More fare gates and expanded commercial spaces are also being introduced to improve access and generate additional revenue.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, emphasized the need for the expansion, citing consistent increases in ridership. “Passenger numbers during New Year’s Eve exceed 110,000,” he said, noting an average annual ridership growth of 7.5% over the past five years.
Since it began operations in 2010, the station has seen a surge in daily commuters—from 6.13 million in 2013 to over 10.57 million in 2024, averaging nearly 58,000 passengers per day.