Dubai: A New Chapter Begins for UAE Exchange Metro Station

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially announced that the UAE Exchange Metro Station—located in Jebel Ali and designated as R42 on the Red Line—will be renamed Life Pharmacy Metro Station. The name change comes under a new 10-year naming rights agreement granted to Life Pharmacy Group, one of the UAE’s most prominent pharmacy chains.

This strategic rebranding aligns with Dubai’s visionary Metro Naming Rights initiative, first launched in 2009. The initiative was the first of its kind in the world and has seen numerous stations across the city rebranded in partnership with leading corporations and entities, further integrating the private sector into the public transport ecosystem.

Transformational Partnership

The agreement was signed between Life Pharmacy Group and Hypermedia, with Mada Media participating as the official concessionaire appointed by the RTA through a broader concession framework.

The renaming will see comprehensive updates rolled out between May and the end of August this year. These updates will include changes to all internal and external signage, directional guides, digital transit maps, onboard announcements, and public transport applications to reflect the station’s new identity.

A Growing Trend in Station Rebranding

The renaming of UAE Exchange Metro Station is the latest in a series of changes within the Metro Naming Rights programme. Recent examples include:

• GGICO Station renamed to Al Garhoud Metro Station
• Al Khail Station renamed to Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station
• Other notable name changes include JLT, Umm Sheif, Mashreq, Marina, and Al Safa

These changes signify the RTA’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the monetization of infrastructure through creative public-private collaborations.

A High-Traffic Gateway to Jebel Ali

Strategically located at the southern end of the Red Line, the newly named Life Pharmacy Metro Station serves as a major entry point to the Jebel Ali industrial and free zone areas. The branding not only boosts visibility for Life Pharmacy but also aligns the company’s identity with a critical node in Dubai’s urban mobility network.

Looking Ahead

This development marks another milestone in Dubai’s smart mobility strategy, which continuously leverages private sector engagement to enhance public services. As the city prepares to expand and evolve its transit infrastructure, more such partnerships are expected to reshape how residents and visitors interact with the transport system.