Naming rights for seven stations on Route 2020 up for grabs

This first-in-the-world revenue model has helped RTA generate Dh2 billion in a decade

The names of Dubai Metro stations on the underconstruction Route 2020 line are up for grabs, as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is all set to open the sale process for naming rights.

Corporate firms, commercial brands and private or public agencies can get their names on seven stations that are currently under construction as part of the 15km extension of Dubai Metro.

“RTA will sell the naming rights for Route 2020, the details of which will be made available in due course,” Abdul Mohsin Ebrahim Younus, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency, told Gulf News.

The sale of naming rights for Dubai Metro stations is a major source of income for the RTA, with the project generating a revenue of Dh2 billion over the past decade.

“The Dubai Metro Naming Rights Project is a first-in-theworld revenue model for public transport infrastructure, created in 2008. Naming rights increase brand awareness for national and international companies and reinforce their positioning in Dubai,” said Younus.

“The naming rights do not follow a bidding process. It goes beyond traditional sponsorship and branding to a deeper level of holistic brand/business integration and partnership,” Younus added. The process follows certain criteria in keeping with the RTA’s standards and vision. For instance, the stations cannot be named after any family or person, even if a brand is eponymous with a family name. “Only brand and company names are allowed, particularly those that have a presence in the UAE, are financially stable and committed to Dubai,” Younus said.

The prices of naming rights vary depending upon the location and popularity of the stations.