Dubai: The Dubai Metro will provide a hassle-free ride for people with special needs, said a senior official.

"We have designed stations with 'barrier-free access system' to make the Metro accessible to all regardless of any physical impairment following the best international practices," said Ramadan Abdullah Mohammad, director of the Rail Operations Department at the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Facilities would also be provided to help the visually impaired board trains with ease, he said.

Briefing reporters yesterday about some special features being provided with the Metro passengers, Mohammad said facilities like Braille and tactile guidance paths (TGP) would available for the visually impaired passengers while wheelchair-bound passengers will be able to proceed freely from the drop-off point to their destination.

"Our team did consult with people with special needs through the Ministry of Culture to have their feedback about facilities, and they were involved in developing these facilities," he added.

Apart from escalators, all the stations will have lifts at the entrance of the concourse and the platform to cater to passengers, especially those with special needs.

The lifts which can take up to 17 people will have clear signage - both audio and visual - alarm bells to alert persons with vision impairment and blinking lights to alert persons with hearing impairment.

Tactile guidance paths for the visually impaired will be provided on the floor, right from the entrance to the station till the platform.

Fare collection gates that are sufficiently wide to enable wheelchair-bound passengers have also been installed. Ticket counters have also been designed to be within easy reach for those using wheelchairs.

Visual and audio announcements inside the trains will benefit all passengers. There will also be special toilets for physically challenged people, as also spaces for keeping wheelchairs.

Station customer service staff will also be trained to cater to the needs of people with disabilities.

Mohammad said the Wifi and mobile phone connections will be available round-the-clock at stations and on trains - even in the underground sections of the Metro. Spaces for baby strollers will be provided, as also luggage holds.

He said a round trip on the Red Line, which is 52.9-km long, will be completed in 2 hours and 23 minutes whereas one-way travel time on the full length of the Red Line would be 1 hour and 12 minutes.