Female Emirati Dubai Metro driver raises curiosity

Dubai, January 31: A new video on Youtube and news reports in the Western media have raised curiosity about a female driver operating Dubai Metro – which is believed to run driverless trains.

The 28-year-old Mariam Al Safar, a native Emirati, is reportedly regular at the controls on the emirate’s metro system. The video also shows her at the controls of the train.

However, regular users of the Dubai Metro say they have travelled the length of the train, but have not noticed any controls at either end nor an engine driver. The trains were publicised as being ‘driverless’, when launched.

One of the sources familiar with the Metro system agrees that it is an automated train that does not require a driver. He, however, clarified that there are controls on the trains that allow it to be manually driven in case of an emergency. It is also possible that Mariam has been given training to drive a metro train that could be used to tow away malfunctioning trains.

The Roads and Transport Authority could not independently verify the explanations.

-Agencies