Dubai opens retail leasing inside metro and tram stations: How can businesses apply

Local and international businesses now have the opportunity to operate inside Dubai’s bustling metro and tram stations, as the Roads and Transport Authority ( RTA ) opens retail and commercial leasing opportunities across the network.
The initiative aims to boost economic activity and give daily commuters easier access to services while strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors. RTA said that several successful collaborations with private firms in the past have encouraged the expansion of this investment model.

RTA leasing process : How to apply online for metro and tram station retail spaces

Businesses interested in setting up shop in the emirate’s transport hubs can apply online through RTA’s official portal:

• Applicants must first visit rta.ae and navigate to the Business and Corporate section. Under Invest with RTA, users can find a dedicated page for Investment Opportunities listing available spaces across metro and tram stations.
• Each listing includes information about rent, area, electricity provisions, and any restrictions on business types. The website also features an interactive 360-degree digital view, allowing applicants to examine each unit virtually before applying.
• Interested parties can register their interest by logging in with an RTA account and submitting their proposal. Additional inquiries can be directed to the contact details provided on the RTA website.

Among the latest opportunities are retail outlets at metro stations along the Route 2020 extension, which serves fast-growing residential and commercial areas such as Jebel Ali, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park, and the Expo 2020 site. The RTA has allocated 40 retail outlets spanning 15,860 square feet and five sales kiosks for commercial use across these stations. The 15-kilometre Route 2020 corridor was designed to serve over 270,000 residents, with capacity for 46,000 riders per hour in both directions.

According to RTA projections, daily ridership is expected to reach 125,000 passengers initially and 275,000 passengers per day by 2030. The Expo Station alone is forecast to handle around 35,000 weekday visitors and 47,000 visitors on weekends, accounting for nearly 30% of Expo’s total daily attendance. The Jumeirah Golf Estates Station, at 27,000 square metres, is the largest station on the network and can accommodate up to 250,000 riders per day. The facility serves neighbouring communities including Dubai Production City and Dubai Sports City.

RTA business model to support domestic business

RTA officials said retail outlets along metro lines not only enhance the commuter experience but also stimulate local business by integrating urban mobility with trade. Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency said, “Offering retail outlets in Route 2020 is in line with RTA’s endeavours to stimulate the domestic trade and inject fresh growth prospects. The success that marked retail outlets of the Dubai Metro stations on both the Red and Green Lines stems from the success and excellence of the Dubai Metro project.”

Since the launch of metro operations in 2009, retail establishments within stations have proved successful, becoming high-traffic business nodes. The expansion into Route 2020 is designed to sustain this model and attract further private investment.