RTA Overhauls 876 Cooling Units Across 14 Red Line Stations Without Disrupting Service
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed a major upgrade of ventilation and air conditioning systems across key Dubai Metro stations, significantly enhancing commuter comfort. The overhaul covered 876 units—including air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), pumps, and fans—across 14 Red Line stations and two car parks, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Designed to combat Dubai’s intense summer heat, the systems now maintain a steady 24–25°C within stations, even as train doors open frequently to the outside. Remarkably, the upgrade was completed without any service interruptions, thanks to strategic scheduling during nighttime and off-peak hours.
With 876 cooling units upgraded and zero disruption to service, RTA’s initiative ensures passengers stay cool and safe while supporting sustainability and energy efficiency
This marks the largest cooling systems overhaul in Dubai Metro’s history. Key maintenance activities included bearing and coil replacements, deep cleaning, and dynamic balancing to ensure quieter and more efficient operations. The project builds on a prior phase that upgraded 261 units across 13 stations.
Cooling is critical for Dubai Metro’s operational resilience. With extreme summer temperatures and constant door openings, the stations face relentless heat exposure. Effective air conditioning not only protects passenger comfort but also ensures that essential systems don’t overheat and fail.
Phase 3 of the project is now underway, focusing on the remaining 25% of public-area fan coil units and back-of-house air handling systems. In addition to continued hardware upgrades, this phase will introduce variable flow technology to optimize energy use and reduce the metro system’s carbon footprint.
The success of this upgrade reflects the strong collaboration between RTA’s Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI, the operator and maintenance provider for Dubai Metro and Tram services.
