What’s On has video of the Dubai Tram test in action, with some very special passengers on board, including Sheikh Mohammed and his son Sheikh Hamdan. 

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The Dubai Tram has welcomed its first royal riders as HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the trial run together with Dubai HH Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The new public transports system which travels the length of Dubai Marina and up towards Umm Sequim is expected to carry approximately 27,000 riders a day at the start of operations in November 2014, rising to 66,000 per day by 2020,along the route which extend 14.6 km. Passengers will be able to ride in gold class, while there will also be a dedicated carriage for women and children.

Tweeting about the experience Sheikh Hamdan said: “Today we witnessed the test run of the Dubai Tram. We hope it becomes a touristic icon of Dubai and the UAE.”

As well as revolutionising the transport system around Dubai Marina, JBR and Media City, the project has also seen the start of construction of footbridges in the area, namely at the intersection by Mag 218 and Marina Heights, as well as near Barasti.

It is part of a wider project to increase access across major roads around the Emirate, with a total of 10 planned in areas with heavy traffic and high rates of accidents involving pedestrians. Bridges will be built at Bani Yas Street – one near the Department of Land and another near Dubai Municipality – Khalid bin Al Waleed Street, Al Nahda Street, Al Ittihad Street, Al Maraabi Street, Al Mankhool Street, Latifa bint Hamdan street, Al Ribat street, and the Dubai-Al Ain Road near the Skycourts buildings, according to a report in The National.