Gold Class

A little bit of class--gold class cabin comforts. >>

Today I've decided to try a bit of luxury by taking the gold class. It's something one has to try as I suppose it is a novelty for a metro. I have been on over a dozen different metro systems around the world and this is the first I've seen with different classes.

So, how does it differ from the cattle classes? Well, actually, the regular cabins are fine as they are. The seating is comfortable, the decor nice and there is ample space, except of course when the train fills up.

At the beginning run of the line--on those first heady days--there were no class distinctions, it seems, as everyone simply boarded and sat or stood where they liked. Many people were so enthusiastic about taking photos (myself included) that they loaded into the gold class cabin for a view through the picture window at the front of the driverless trains.

Tunneling toward the underground stations. >>

Now, as I start my gold class journey I find that I'm in the company of several Emiratis. It is the whole idea of this class that it will coax Emiratis to give up their cars. They would otherwise shun any form of public transportation as, shall I say, being below them. Such have many Emiratis been spoiled by the many luxuries available to those with money and position in this country.

Time will tell whether the ruler's plan works and gold class is successful in getting more Emiratis to ride. The cabin, itself, makes up only half of a single carriage so it isn't particularly large, and it seats only 18 or so.

The key attraction of this class, in fact, is the seats--of padded leather, with head and arm rests. Well, I can confirm that the seats are very comfortable, more befitting a longer journey, rather than a workday commute.

<< One of the larger underground stations, Union Station.

I have to say I am really enjoying the way riding in this class facilitates typing on my laptop. Also, the front-facing orientation of some of the seats allows one to look right out through the front of the train, which is particularly nice. Is it worth the cost, which is double that of the regular fare? I would say definitely yes, but only if your ride is more that just a couple of stops. There would be no point in doing it for only a 10 or 15 minute hop, skip and jump.

Interestingly there are seat trays on seat backs allowing those seated behind them to have their coffee and donut. But then, there is no eating on the trains, so one will have to store something else there. It has a luggage compartment too, so this may be the way to go if you are riding to the airport.

How, you may wonder, do they restrict non-gold card carriers from riding in this section? One passes through the ticket wicket with his/her respective card and then is able to choose wherever he/she likes to sit or stand on the train.

After the metro, it's a bus ride for me along Sheikh Zayed Road. >>

Well, today on entering the gold class cabin we were asked to show our cards. It seems that the cabin crew are ready to take a quick inspection of the cards of anyone boarding the gold class cabin at every stop. So, it is good to keep one's card in hand.

That said, it is still a matter of the honor system. The cards are not scanned so anyone carrying a spare gold card may flash it whether they used it to enter the station interior or not. This will probably change in time.

The main thing I would miss in taking the gold cabin is the opportunity to mix with more of Dubai's working classes.