Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will conduct an emergency drill at the Gold Souq Metro Station in the early hours of Sunday, April 27, 2025. The exercise is part of RTA’s 2025 plan to strengthen emergency readiness and test rapid response skills across agencies.
The drill will take place between 1:00 am and 5:00 am. It will involve several important public safety and transport groups working together to handle a simulated crisis.
Purpose of the Drill
The main goal of this exercise is to check how fast and how well different emergency teams can respond to a metro station incident. RTA said the drill would also help improve communication and coordination among teams.
Such drills are a regular part of the city’s safety strategy. They help find any gaps in the system and ensure that if a real emergency happens, Dubai’s services can respond quickly and efficiently.
Emergency drills are a key part of keeping public transport safe for everyone.
Who Will Participate
Several key organizations will join forces for this weekend’s drill. Participants include
- Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
- Keolis MHI, the operator of Dubai Metro and Tram
- Dubai Police
- Transport Security Department
- Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services
Each group will perform its role during the simulation. For example, Dubai Police will secure the area, while ambulance teams will practice urgent medical responses.
Information for Passengers
Since the drill happens from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, it will not affect the normal metro service hours for passengers. Gold Souq Metro Station will return to normal right after the exercise ends.
However, people around the Gold Souq area might notice emergency vehicles, flashing lights, and extra staff during these hours. RTA asks the public not to worry, as everything will be part of the planned exercise.
Passengers are advised to stay updated by following official announcements.
Importance of Emergency Drills
Large cities like Dubai rely heavily on public transport. With thousands of people using the metro daily, having a strong emergency response plan is very important.
A 2024 report by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) showed that metro systems around the world are focusing more on emergency drills. These drills help build trust with passengers and make sure services can continue smoothly even during unexpected events.
Dubai Metro, which opened in 2009, is now one of the biggest and most advanced metro systems in the world. Keeping it safe and secure is a top priority.
How the Drill Fits into RTA’s 2025 Plan
This emergency drill is part of the RTA’s larger 2025 plan, which aims to improve service quality, speed up response times, and use better technology for transport safety.
In March 2025, RTA announced the renaming of GGICO Metro Station to Aviation Metro Station as part of its efforts to modernize and enhance the metro network.
RTA is also bringing in smart technologies like real-time tracking and artificial intelligence to better manage emergencies and ensure a smooth passenger experience.
For more updates on Dubai’s transport news, visit inews.best.
Previous Emergency Drills in Dubai
Dubai has a strong record of conducting emergency exercises. In December 2024, a large fire evacuation drill took place at one of Dubai’s major shopping malls. Over 500 people joined the exercise, which was completed successfully.
Dubai Airports also conduct yearly emergency simulations, making sure that ground staff and emergency teams stay ready for any situation. These drills are a big reason why Dubai is known for safe and efficient travel.
