Dubai renames a metro station, and yes, your travel app might be mildly confused. It’s official. GGICO Metro Station has packed its bags and handed over the keys to a new name. Say hello to the Al Garhoud Metro Station. The change rolled out on Monday, 14 April 2025, and no, it’s not an April Fools’ joke arriving fashionably late.
Why Did GGICO Undergo A Name Change?
According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), this rebrand is part of a bigger plan to make transport easier to navigate for everyone. In their words, it’s all about improving efficiency and delivering a seamless commuter experience. In our words? It’s about time the station was named after the place it sits in.
So, What’s In A Name?
Let’s decode it. The previous name, GGICO, referred to Gulf General Investment Company — quite the corporate mouthful, and not exactly the easiest for tourists or map apps to figure out either.
Now, the station is proudly known as Al Garhoud Metro Station, aligning it with the actual neighbourhood it serves on the Red Line. The logic? If you’re going to a place, it helps if the station’s name matches the map.
Here’s what you should know:
- Location: Al Garhoud area, Dubai
- Metro Line: Red Line
- Previous Name: GGICO
- New Name: Al Garhoud (as of 14 April 2025)
- Reason for change: Improved clarity and user experience
Trend Alert: Metro Rebrands Are In
This isn’t the first time Dubai’s metro stations have had a little makeover. Just last month, Al Khail Metro Station was renamed Al Fardan Exchange Station after a naming rights deal with the financial services brand.
Dubai Metro’s naming strategy isn’t random, it’s smart, structured, and a mix of geographic clarity and commercial opportunity. From businesses to city zones, names are evolving to reflect the pulse of the city and the needs of its travellers.
What You Should Do (Besides Not Panicking)
- Update your saved locations on your apps.
- Tell your friends, cab drivers, and clueless tourists.
- Double-check signs in case older maps or materials still say GGICO.
- If you’re new in town, congratulations!
Also Read: OnPassive, Equiti & 2 Other Rain-Affected Dubai Metro Stations To Reopen On May 28 Says Dubai RTA
Final Stop
Dubai’s metro system is already one of the cleanest, most efficient in the world now, it’s becoming clearer, too. Swapping GGICO for Al Garhoud may feel like a small shift, but it’s part of a much bigger journey towards making Dubai’s public transport friendlier, faster, and far more intuitive.
Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/ Herbet Flor
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.