Dubai Metro undergoes major renovation of ventilation and air conditioning infrastructure, overseen by RTA.
RTA Completes Second Phase of Dubai Metro's VAC System Overhaul
In a significant stride towards maintaining world-class service standards, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the second phase of the largest overhaul of ventilation and air conditioning (VAC) systems at Dubai Metro's Red and Green Line stations.
This phase, which began in mid-2025, encompassed a comprehensive maintenance and refurbishment of 876 ventilation and cooling assets across 14 stations and two car parks, without any disruption to metro operations. The upgraded systems maintain a consistent station temperature of 24–25°C, significantly improving passenger comfort during Dubai’s intense summer heat.
Phase 2 involved extensive tasks such as refurbishing or replacing air handling units, fan coil units, chilled water pumps, and various fans, along with coil and bearing replacements, deep cleaning, and dynamic balancing to restore peak performance of the VAC units.
For Phase 3, RTA has already initiated testing and verification works starting in July 2025, focusing on energy efficiency upgrades and completing the overhaul of remaining equipment. The goal is to optimize energy use and enhance sustainability of the metro’s cooling infrastructure, in line with RTA’s Strategic Plan 2024–2030 to improve passenger comfort, operational efficiency, and long-term asset sustainability.
The successful execution of this large-scale project is due to strategic coordination between RTA's Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI, the Dubai Metro and Tram operator. This partnership continues to play a central role in maintaining high service standards and operational resilience.
The upgrade programme spanned 10 months and focused on proactive maintenance to extend equipment lifespan and minimise the risk of failures during high-demand periods. The upgrades reflect RTA's commitment to maintaining and improving Dubai's public transport infrastructure.
The second phase covered 14 Red Line stations and two car parks. The project focusing on the overhaul of ventilation and air conditioning systems in Dubai Metro's Red and Green Line stations also aims to enhance long-term energy efficiency. Passenger comfort is a critical consideration for Dubai Metro, especially during summer.
This ventilation and cooling upgrade is part of RTA's broader mission to enhance Dubai’s public transport infrastructure. The project aligns with Dubai’s ambitions to be a global benchmark for integrated and future-ready urban transport systems. RTA is exploring advanced solutions, including a shift to variable flow technology, to improve performance and sustainability across the network.
Key assets overhauled include air handling units (AHUs), fan coil units (FCUs), chilled water pumps, extract and smoke extract fans, and pressurisation units. The project was conducted by RTA's Rail Agency in collaboration with Keolis-MHI.
[1] RTA Press Release, 'RTA Completes Phase 2 of Dubai Metro's VAC System Overhaul', July 2025. [2] Keolis-MHI Press Release, 'Dubai Metro's VAC System Overhaul: A Successful Collaboration', July 2025. [3] RTA Technical Report, 'Dubai Metro's VAC System Overhaul: Technical Details and Outcomes', July 2025. [4] Dubai Government News, 'RTA's Dubai Metro VAC System Overhaul Enhances Passenger Comfort', July 2025.
- The RTA, in collaboration with Keolis-MHI, has completed the second phase of the overhaul, focusing on the Dubai Metro's VAC systems, aiming to enhance long-term energy efficiency and improve passenger comfort, a critical concern for the technology-driven industry.
- In the future, RTA plans to explore advanced solutions such as a shift to variable flow technology, as part of their broader mission to enhance Dubai’s transportation infrastructure, aligning with the city's ambitions to be a global benchmark for integrated and future-ready systems.
- The successful execution of this project underscores the importance of technology in maintaining and improving the environment, thereby contributing to the goals of sustainability and financial efficiency in the industry.
- The overhaul work, which encompasses the refurbishment and replacement of key assets like air handling units, fan coil units, chilled water pumps, and fans, is a significant stride towards maintaining world-class service standards while ensuring the future resilience of Dubai’s public transport system.
