RTA Finishes Extensive Renovation of Ventilation and Cooling Systems within Dubai Metro
As the summer heat intensifies in Dubai, commuters can now enjoy a more comfortable journey on the Red and Green Line stations of the Dubai Metro. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has successfully completed the second phase of the largest overhaul of the ventilation and air conditioning (VAC) systems across these lines.
This second phase, which spanned 10 months, involved upgrading a total of 876 ventilation and cooling units across 14 Red Line stations and two car parks. Remarkably, the work was carried out without any disruption to metro operations. The renovated systems now reliably maintain internal station temperatures between 24–25°C, improving passenger comfort during Dubai’s sweltering summer.
Following this, experimental and verification works for the next phase (Phase 3) have begun. Phase 3 will focus on the remaining 25% of public-area fan coil units (FCUs) and back-of-house and critical room air handling units (AHUs) along the Red Line stations. The overall project aims to overhaul and maintain existing assets such as AHUs, FCUs, chilled water pumps, and extract fans, while exploring energy optimization opportunities and adopting variable flow technology for better efficiency.
The VAC Enhancement Project is part of RTA’s 2024–2030 Strategic Plan and is executed in collaboration with Keolis-MHI, the operator and maintainer of the Dubai Metro. The work has been carefully scheduled during off-peak hours and night shifts to avoid any disruption of train services, reflecting a strong commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
The upgrade programme focused on proactive maintenance to extend equipment lifespan and minimise the risk of failures during high-demand periods. Each asset was cleaned, refurbished, or replaced to restore performance to original design specifications. This project aligns with Dubai's ambitions to be a global benchmark for integrated and future-ready urban transport systems.
RTA is also exploring advanced solutions, including a shift to variable flow technology, as part of its mission to enhance Dubai's public transport infrastructure. The ventilation and cooling upgrade reflects RTA's broader mission to offer seamless and sustainable mobility while maintaining high passenger satisfaction. The successful execution of this project is due to strategic coordination between RTA's Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI.
As the project moves forward, preparations have begun for Phase 3, which will target the remaining 25% of public-area FCUs and critical AHUs. The RTA continues to strive for operational resilience and passenger comfort, ensuring that the Dubai Metro remains a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for the city's residents and visitors.
[1] Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) website. (2025). Dubai Metro VAC System Overhaul. Retrieved from www.rta.ae [2] Gulf News. (2025). Dubai Metro's VAC System Overhaul Completed. Retrieved from www.gulfnews.com [3] Keolis-MHI website. (2025). Dubai Metro VAC System Overhaul. Retrieved from www.keolis-mhi.com [4] Dubai Media Office. (2025). RTA's Dubai Metro VAC System Overhaul Aims for Energy Efficiency. Retrieved from www.dubaimediaoffice.ae
- The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Keolis-MHI, the operator and maintainer of the Dubai Metro, have partnered in a collaboration to enhance the ventilation and cooling (VAC) systems of the Dubai Metro, with the aim of making it a global benchmark for integrated and future-ready urban transport systems.
- The VAC Enhancement Project, which is part of RTA’s 2024–2030 Strategic Plan, focuses on adopting variable flow technology, embracing sustainability, and optimizing energy usage for better efficiency.
- By exploring advanced solutions, such as a shift to variable flow technology, and maintaining high passenger satisfaction, RTA's ventilation and cooling upgrade aligns with Dubai's ambitions to be a model of sustainable mobility in the technology industry and the finance sector.
- According to the Dubai Media Office, the successful execution and future phases of the VAC System Overhaul project on the Dubai Metro will endeavor to maintain the system's operational resilience and ensure it remains a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for the city's residents and visitors, contributing to a sustainable environment in the future.
