Equiti Metro Station is a high-speed transfer station on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, serving Al Quoz and surrounding areas. The station is named after the Equity Group. The station is on the Red Line. Partially opened on 15 October 2010 as First Gulf Bank

Later, on 21 September 2017, the station was renamed Abu Dhabi Bank, on 24 November 2020, Umm al-Sheaf, and then on 18 April 2022, Akoti Metro Station. This metro station was closed on 16 April 2024 due to floods. Gold and diamond parks are located at a major junction, and many bus stops are nearby.

 Location and Accessibility

Geographic Location of Equiti Metro Station

Equiti Metro Station is strategically located on the Sheikh Zayed Road Highway in the heart of the Al Quoz district of Dubai, UAE. It is situated between the Mashreq and Al Khail metro stations as part of the Dubai Metro Red Line. 

The station accommodates services to the regional commercial zones and industrial as well as residential regions within Al Quoz. Easy access is provided from most locations along Sheikh Zayed Road. 

Other attractions in its proximity include the energetic streets of Al Barsha and the Dubai Internet City.

Access Points of Equiti Metro Station

Equiti Metro Station Various entry points facilitate smooth entering and exiting: Main Entry (Sheikh Zayed Road Side): Direct access to the station will be available from Sheikh Zayed Road for the side-orientated traveller, coming along the roadside as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods A commuter from any of the residential and business zones going to one of the sides of Sheikh Zayed Road can conveniently go inside the station through an exit footbridge.

1. Al Quoz Area Access The individual exit routes allow access to the Al Quoz Industrial Area, which has been an attraction for the workers and visitors in the industrial areas surrounding it.
2. Accessibility Ramps Facilities having ramps and elevators ensure easy access by making the facility accessible to all people with mobility needs.

History and Development

Early Arranging of Equiti Metro Station

Equiti Metro Station was previously called the “First Abu Dhabi Bank Metro Station.” It was one of the stations on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro. It was opened in 2010 as part of Dubai’s larger strategy for developing an integrated and progressive system of public transportation along Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting key residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

The first design was supposed to give easy access to commercial and industrial areas such as Al Quoz and residential areas like Al Barsha, where easy access is ensured through improvements at access points and facilities, including pedestrian bridges, elevators, and ramps.

Construction of Equiti Metro Station

Equiti Metro Station was built on the Dubai Metro Red Line as part of aiding rapid urban development in Dubai and high volumes of traffic along Sheikh Zayed Road. 

The construction of this station was carried out by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Advanced engineering was used for the integration of the structure into the dense urban landscape of Sheikh Zayed Road.

Construction key features included:

1. Ground and Elevated Structure: Since the Red Line is built below as well as above ground, Equiti Metro Station was designed to be an elevated station with deep foundations so as not to interfere much with the flow of high traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road underneath.
2. Connection with Surrounding Infrastructure: Footbridges link the station to ensure easy pedestrian movements across the highway. Access from nearby commercial and industrial areas is safe as long as there are walkway bridges connecting them.
3. Technological Upsurges: As implemented in other Dubai Metro, Equiti has used fully automated ticketing and other security and train movement, which means fewer staff are required inside the station and hence its operations became more efficient as well.
4. Environmental and Accessibility Issues: These were the environmental issues taken into account during the construction of stations that included lighting systems with regards to energy efficiency cooling systems, and ramps and elevators for easy access by handicapped people.

Facilities and Features of Equiti Metro Station

Equiti Metro Station caters to all of the needs of commuters by providing all of the modern facilities and features they need. Here is an overview:

1. Ticketing and Customer Service: Automatic ticketing machines and Nol card recharge stations for easy payment in cashless transactions. There is a customer service desk in case a passenger has some questions or problems.
2. Platform and Waiting Areas: Platforms are air-conditioned, roomy, and have areas with seating. Some will have digital displays showing the latest information on current train arrival and departure information.
3. Vending Machines and ATMs: Vending kiosks for candies, soft drinks, or any other small commodities. ATMs to make the availability of cash easy for the passengers.
4. Accessibility features: Elevators, ramps, and elevated paving for the visually challenged and mobility-impaired travellers.
5. Wheelchair-accessible areas and wide entrance gates for easy access.
6. Safety and Security:

○     CCTVs 24/7 with security personnel on staff.

○     Emergency contacts and first-aid are available in case of medical conditions.

7. Accessibility for Pedestrians and Connectivity: A pedestrian footbridge over Sheikh Zayed Road for easier and safer access from the two sides. Clear signage on how to exit and surrounding areas such as Al Quoz and Al Barsha.

8. Bicycle Parking and Feeder Bus Services: Bicycle racks near the station for cyclists. RTA feeder buses take passengers from the station to the neighbourhood.
9. Environmental Control: Efficient ventilation and cooling systems to keep the station comfortable. Energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning will further promote sustainability in the station.

Role of Equiti Metro Station in the Metro Network

• Equiti Metro Station in Sheikh Zayed Road, which remains its major role. Strategically located in the city of Dubai in the Red Line Metro of the network stretching allocated close to the Al Quoz industrial area, Equiti is a critical artery between commercial, residential, and industrial zones, for example, Al Barsha, and Dubai Internet City, supporting daily commuting for the workers, residents, and tourists.
• Road Congestion Reduction: Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the major highways, Equiti reduces traffic congestion as it offers a safe yet reliable alternative to road travel. Supporting the efficient and frequent use of the Metro, it encourages road users to switch from private cars to public transit.
• Promoting Access to Employment Hubs: The station enables smooth urban labour mobility by providing easy access to workplaces for many workers in the Al Quoz industrial area and other business zones close by.
• Encouraging Sustainability: Equity Metro Station contributes to achieving Dubai’s sustainability goals while ensuring a reduction in carbon emissions and promoting green transportation. Contributing to the prospect of more utilization of public transportation diminishes the environmental footprint of this city.
• Being a Commuter Station: Equipped with feeder bus services and pedestrian-friendly access points, Equiti acts as a transit node and lets multi-modal connectivity and ease passenger movement across Dubai parts.
• To Ease the Flow of Tourism: As part of the Metro’s wide reach, Equiti will offer an easy access route towards significant attractions and commercial areas along Sheikh Zayed Road to tourists thus making their experience easier and simpler.

Community Impact of  Equiti Metro Station

In a variety of important ways, the Equiti Metro Station has been profoundly positive for the surrounding community:

1. Better Worker Mobility: Thousands of workers employed in the Al Quoz industrial area nearby can access the station easily, meaning fewer will rely on long and expensive road commutes to work. This has increased daily mobility for many who otherwise do not have a car.
2. Easier Access for Residents: Its proximity to the Metro brings other areas of Dubai to their doorstep, such as the central business district and leisure destinations. This increases the quality of life since the travel time and expenses are cut down.
3. Support for Local Businesses: The existence of the Equiti Metro Station helps increase pedestrians through the nearby local outlets, hence raising their economic life standards. Most of these business operations like cafés and even very small local shops next to the station enjoy clients mostly because of this metro going both ways every minute on certain days, especially when travelling.
4. Traffic Benefits and Environment: Besides, encouraging the use of public transit contributes to decreased vehicle congestion along Sheikh Zayed Road and within the local network, hence further reducing air pollution, as outlined in Dubai’s sustainability goals.
5. Safety and Accessibility Improvements Safe access points and footbridges around the station have reduced safety risks to the community. Access features at the station have also enabled the easy movement of people with disabilities and elderly people within the locality.
6. Appreciation Value Increased: Being near the metro has led to increased values within the properties because access to public transportation is a paramount characteristic. Residents and commercial operations alike have moved there and continued the growth of that community.

Future Developments of Equiti Metro Station

 Plans for Equiti Metro Station are to extend even further with full connection, efficiency, and role toward Dubai’s future transit systems. Key expected developments include:

1. Improvement in connectivity and integration: Plan for upgrading the system for better multimodal connectivity may further enhance feeder bus routes and better integration with cycling paths as well as pedestrian infrastructure which will be more accessible to all kinds of commuters and eventually facilitate last-mile connectivity at the station.
2. Smart Technology Upgrades: This includes additional technological advancements, such as contactless payment, in-time updates on transportation services, and AI management of passenger flows. These will make travelling to work much more comfortable through reduced waiting time and increased efficiency.
3. Sustainability Initiatives: The sustainability focus in Dubai may bring energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, and advanced waste management systems to Equiti Metro Station. It would reduce the carbon footprint of the station and be in line with the city’s green initiatives.
4. Increased Capacity and Service Frequency: As the demand for public transportation rises, this would potentially lead to more frequent Red Line trains, thus reducing the wait time during peak hours. Such changes would be helpful in the smooth passage of passengers at Equiti, thus catering to the needs of its increasing user population.
5. Retail and Commercial Development: Retail outlets and service centres can be integrated to be used by commuters while at the same time located within or next to the station. This can be as diverse as cafés and convenience stores to co-working spaces and even make Equiti into a community-oriented transit hub.
6. Accessibility Improvements: Upgrades in the future may include elongated ramps, tactile paths, and other accessible features in support of an accessible ridership base to encourage persons with disabilities, seniors, and parents with toddlers and preschoolers to easily get around.
7. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Equiti Metro Station can be focused as a transit-oriented development for the newly planned residential and commercial projects. This further development would attract more residents and businesses, supporting the importance of the station as an integral part of the Dubai infrastructure.

Accommodation & Hotels Near Equiti Metro Station

Hotels	Ref	Exit
Sheraton Mall of The Emirates	​771, Sheikh Zayed Road	2
Metropolitan	​736, Sheikh Zayed Road	2
Citymax	34, Al Seedaf 1 street	2
Studio M Al Barsha	​12, 5 street, Al Barsha 1	2
Kempinski	797, Sheikh Zayed Road	2
Millennium Al Barsha	​9, 22 street, Al Barsha 1	2
Rose Plaza	​7, 11 street, Al Barsha 1	2
Ivory Grand	​6, 8 street, Al Barsha 1	2
Citymax	​12, 11 street, Al Barsha 1	2
Elite Byblos	29, Al Barsha 2 street	2

Major Buildings Near   Equiti Metro Station

Buildings	Ref	Exit
Hala Buiding Ajman	10/1, Al Amal street	2
Butterfly Buiding	8, Al Qashiri Street, Maysaloon	2
Al Qayada	158, Al Ittihad road	2
Sakeena Buiding	13, 8a street	2
Royal JVC Buiding	9, 26 street	2
Abdul Aziz Al Majid Building	62, 40 Street	2
Metro Station Main Depot	60, Airport Road	2
Main Sewage Pumping Station	6, 4 street	2
Deira Main Emirates Post	33585 97234Hor Al Anz East, Deira,	2

Shopping Centres near  Equiti Metro Station

Shops	Ref	Exit
Abu Hail	​257-261, Bu Hail Street	2
Al Mamzar	201, 28 street	2
Century Mall	​85, Al Wuheida Road	2
Gift Luxe	Al Kamali Building, 23/1, 24 street,	2
LuLu	​10, Amman street	2
Sahara	​19, Al Nahda Street	2
Deira City Centre	​1b, 30 street	2
Mine Mine Mia	Al Yasmeen Building, 56, 42 street	2
Al Ghurair Centre	​3, Al Rigga road	2
Reef Mall	​114, Salah Al Din road	2

Travel Information from   Equiti Metro Station

From	Destination	Metro Line	Travel Time (Approx.)	Fare (Approx.)
Equiti Metro Station	Jebel Ali	Red Line	10 minutes	AED 3
Equiti Metro Station	Ibn Battuta Mall	Red Line	12 minutes	AED 3
Equiti Metro Station	DMCC (JLT)	Red Line	15 minutes	AED 5
Equiti Metro Station	Nakheel Harbour & Tower	Red Line	17 minutes	AED 5
Equiti Metro Station	Dubai Marina	Red Line	18 minutes	AED 5
Equiti Metro Station	Jumeirah Lakes Towers	Red Line	19 minutes	AED 5
Equiti Metro Station	Mall of the Emirates	Red Line	25 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Dubai Internet City	Red Line	27 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall	Red Line	35 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Business Bay	Red Line	37 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)	Red Line	40 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Union Square	Red Line	45 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	BurJuman	Red Line	48 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Al Rigga	Red Line	50 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Dubai International Airport (Terminal 1)	Red Line	55 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Expo 2020 (District 2020)	Red Line	8 minutes	AED 3
Equiti Metro Station	Al Ghubaiba	Red Line	60 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Dubai Healthcare City	Red Line	65 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Deira City Centre	Red Line	52 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Al Ras	Red Line	63 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Al Fahidi	Red Line	64 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Stadium	Red Line	68 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Rashidiya	Red Line	70 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Al Nahda	Red Line	72 minutes	AED 7.5
Equiti Metro Station	Etisalat	Red Line	75 minutes	AED 7.5

Equiti Metro Station exit

The Equiti metro station has some exit points for easy accessibility of the surrounding environment both to pedestrians and passengers:

1. Sheikh Zayed Road Exit:

This is the primary exit, and this puts the passengers directly onto Sheikh Zayed Road to speed up their access to highway and commercial businesses. They mainly consist of commuters who are expected to have business in various offices, shops, and neighbourhoods.

2. Exit Towards Al Quoz:

This exit is strategically located to conveniently serve the Al Quoz industrial area. It has become easy for workers and visitors to reach the industrial and commercial zones of Al Quoz, one of Dubai’s major business areas.

3. Footbridge Exit Across Sheikh Zayed Road:

A pedestrian footbridge connects both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road, making it safe and easy for commuters to go across the road to residential areas, offices, and bus stops without crossing heavy traffic.

 4. Accessibility-Focused Exits

In addition, these exits include ramps and elevators for mobility-impaired passengers, such as elderly people with physical disabilities, and stroller-toting families. Easy access points connect to major paths away from the station. Also Read

Travel Time of Equiti Metro Station

Days	Time
Monday	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Tuesday	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Wednesday	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Thursday	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Friday	5:00 AM – 1:00 AM (next day)
Saturday	5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight)
Sunday	8:00 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight)

Frequently Ask Question

Conclusion

The Equiti metro station serves Dubai with all its importance connecting places between business districts and residential areas towards industry through the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor by raising accessibility very significantly and decreasing traffic, hence increasing livability and building a healthier community for its residents and local business partners.

This is because Equiti Metro Station’s modern facilities, accessibility features, and future developments show that this station is focused on making travel safe, efficient, and convenient for users.

As Dubai continues to grow and evolve, Equiti Metro Station will remain a crucial asset within the city’s public transportation network, enhancing greater connectivity and supporting broader goals for urban development and sustainability.