Dubai’s ONPASSIVE Metro Station on the Red Line has officially been renamed Garmin Metro Station. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), alongside Mada Media and its partners, confirmed the new identity following an official ceremony on November 2, 2026.
The change affects commuters using the station on Sheikh Zayed Road, as well as residents and visitors who rely on Metro maps, announcements and journey-planning applications. The agreement also highlights Dubai’s continued efforts to attract international brands to its public transport infrastructure.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
- Organisation: RTA, Mada Media, Hypermedia and AMIT Retail
- Status: Officially renamed Garmin Metro Station on November 2, 2026
- Who is affected: Dubai Metro Red Line passengers
- Business impact: A 10-year station naming rights partnership with Garmin
- What’s next: Further naming rights opportunities are being explored for the Dubai Metro Blue Line.
Dubai Metro’s ONPASSIVE Station has officially been renamed Garmin Metro Station, giving the Red Line another updated station name. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) confirmed the development following a ceremony organised by Mada Media on November 2, 2026.
Located along Sheikh Zayed Road, the station will now carry the name of Garmin, a global technology brand known for its GPS navigation systems, smartwatches and sports devices. The change follows a 10-year naming rights agreement involving Hypermedia and AMIT Retail Group, Garmin’s official distributor in the UAE.
For daily commuters, the updated name will gradually appear across station signage, transport applications and Metro announcements. The partnership also marks a new milestone in Dubai’s station naming rights programme, with opportunities now being explored for the upcoming Blue Line.
Why Has Dubai Metro’s ONPASSIVE Station Been Renamed Garmin?
The name change comes under Dubai’s Metro station naming rights programme, which allows private companies to associate their brands with public transport stations through commercial agreements.
According to RTA, the 10-year agreement was secured between Hypermedia and AMIT Retail Group, Garmin’s official UAE distributor. Mada Media manages the naming rights programme and oversees commercial opportunities across Dubai’s public transport network.
Garmin is the first global brand partner announced under this initiative.
Abdul Muhsen Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of the Rail Agency at RTA, said the partnership reflects Dubai’s approach to maximising the commercial value of its strategic infrastructure while attracting international businesses.
The agreement also gives Garmin an opportunity to strengthen its visibility in the UAE through a busy Metro station used by millions of passengers.
What Was Garmin Metro Station Called Before?
The station has gone through several name changes since the Dubai Metro began operations.
Originally opened as Noor Bank Station in 2010, it was renamed Al Safa Station in November 2020. In January 2023, it became ONPASSIVE Station following another naming rights agreement.
Garmin is now the fourth name associated with the same Metro station.
These changes reflect how Dubai’s naming rights programme allows companies to secure commercial partnerships with RTA and associate their brands with established transport locations.
For regular passengers, the station’s location and its position on the Red Line remain unchanged. However, commuters should look out for the updated name when checking journey information or planning their routes.
How Many Passengers Use Garmin Metro Station?
Passenger numbers played an important role in highlighting the commercial value of the Garmin partnership.
According to figures shared with the announcement, the station welcomed approximately 8.5 million passengers in 2025.
The surrounding advertising displays also recorded more than 33 million passers-by during the same period. This provides Garmin with exposure to a large audience, including residents, professionals and international visitors travelling through Dubai.
The station’s location along Sheikh Zayed Road adds to its commercial appeal, as the route connects several major residential, business and commercial areas.
For Garmin, the partnership offers an opportunity to reach potential customers beyond traditional advertising channels. The brand operates across several technology categories, including wearable devices, outdoor navigation, marine equipment and aviation systems.
Tim Spurling, Garmin’s General Manager for Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, said the agreement reflects the company’s continued commitment to the UAE market.
Will the Garmin Name Appear Across Dubai Metro?
Yes. The station’s updated identity will be reflected across the Metro’s passenger information systems.
According to RTA, the transition includes changes to station signage, directional boards, digital platforms, public transport applications and onboard audio announcements.
Passengers should therefore expect to see and hear Garmin Metro Station instead of ONPASSIVE as the updates roll out during November 2026.
The station itself remains in the same location, and the renaming does not indicate any changes to the Red Line route or its services.
This is particularly relevant for visitors who may still have older station names saved in their travel plans or navigation applications.
Dubai Metro Blue Line Could Get New Naming Rights Partners
The Garmin agreement also comes as Dubai prepares for the next stage of its Metro expansion.
Mada Media has started preparations to attract investors interested in naming rights opportunities across the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line.
The Blue Line is scheduled to open on September 9, 2029. It will serve several growing residential and urban communities, with the population in its service area projected to reach one million by 2040.
Mada Media CEO Mansoor Al Sabahi described the Garmin partnership as an important development ahead of the Blue Line’s launch.
The expansion creates further opportunities for businesses to associate their names with Dubai’s growing public transport network.
As more communities gain access to the Metro, station naming rights could become an increasingly important part of the commercial opportunities surrounding the city’s transport infrastructure.
The Garmin Metro Station announcement is relevant to both Dubai commuters and businesses.
For residents, the immediate change is the station’s new name across Metro signage and passenger information systems. Those using older maps or saved journey details may need to update their references.
For businesses, the partnership demonstrates how Dubai’s transport network offers commercial opportunities beyond traditional advertising spaces.
It also sets the stage for further naming rights agreements as the Blue Line approaches its planned 2029 opening.
FAQs
1. What is the new name of ONPASSIVE Metro Station in Dubai?
ONPASSIVE Metro Station has officially been renamed Garmin Metro Station under a 10-year naming rights agreement.
2. Where is Garmin Metro Station located?
Garmin Metro Station is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and forms part of the Dubai Metro Red Line.
3. When did ONPASSIVE Metro Station become Garmin?
Mada Media held the official ceremony confirming the new name on November 2, 2026. The 10-year naming rights agreement had been announced earlier in September 2026.
4. Will the Garmin Metro Station location change?
No. The station remains at its existing location on Sheikh Zayed Road. Only its name has changed.
5. When will Dubai Metro Blue Line open?
The Dubai Metro Blue Line is scheduled to open on September 9, 2029. Mada Media is also preparing naming rights opportunities for the new line.
How does it affect Dubai passengers
Dubai’s latest Metro station renaming adds Garmin to the list of brands associated with the city’s public transport network. While commuters can continue using the same Red Line station, they should look out for its updated name across signage and journey information.
With the Blue Line expected to open in 2029, further station naming agreements could follow as Dubai continues expanding its transport infrastructure.
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