RTA signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Berlin Transport Authority

The agreement which is the first MOU signed between the RTA and its counterparts outside the UAE dictates the cooperation and exchange of information and experiences in the fields of the management of public transport agencies, set up a strategy related to public transport, design & implement & test & operate & maintenance and train of rail systems, develop the methods of purchasing the buses and its related systems and it also include the cooperation to prepare the bid documents and tenders and participate in the contract negotiations.

The MOU signed on behalf of RTA by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director and on behalf of BVG Mr. Thomas Necker CEO of BVG with the attendance of Mr. Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of Public Transport Agency, Engineer Abdul Majeed Al Khaja, CEO of the Rail Agency, Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim, CEO of the Strategy and Corporate Governance, Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of the Corporate Support Services and Mr. Robert Godetz.

Al Tayer said this MOU comes in line with the RTA efforts towards applying the latest and best global practices in the transport field through utilization of the experience of countries and developed cities in this field and our selection for BVG came because of their global reputation and based on their long experience in the transportation field which exceed 100 years, while BVG operates nine Metro lines with a total length of 145 kilometres transporting annually around 464 million passengers, also operates 146 public bus lines and 22 tram lines transporting between them more than 440 million passengers annually.

He stressed that the Roads and Transport Authority gave a big concern to the planning requirements for transport, roads and traffic in Dubai to ensure safe and easy transport for all realizing the emirate's vision and serve its vital welfare and to achieve this objective, the RTA prepared its integrated strategic plan till the year 2020.

This plan focus on five main topics based on the integration principle between all elements and includes increase the absorptive capacity for the road networks through the development and expansion of existing networks and constructs new roads with the length of 500 km, develop the role of group transportation to meet the transport requirements through ensure the high quality means to take into account the needs of different groups of society including the development of metro and tram system according to the latest and best global standards, expand in the use of modern techniques to achieve the best possible use for road networks and transport systems, such as the navigation dynamic system (Dalili) and the Intelligent Traffic System (ITS).

As well as implementation of transport policies to make positive change in the behaviours of users for the road networks and transport systems and adoption of a comprehensive program of awareness and traffic education based on the development of awareness methodologies and techniques to reach all groups of society.

Mr. Thomas Necker, CEO of the BVG welcomed the cooperation with RTA and hopes that this MOU to contribute in strengthen between two parties and achieves all targets that need to be served.

He said that BVG, which has around 11,526 employees, operates nine Metro lines includes 193 stations in addition to 19 transporting stations with a total length of 145 kilometres for Metro lines some of 114 kilometres underground constituting 79% of the lines length.

He pointed out that the Metro in Berlin transporting annually around 464 million passengers while the public buses transport around 440 million passengers annually through 146 public bus lines.

Mr. Necker praised all major projects, which supervised by the Roads and Transport Authority, especially Dubai Metro project at a cost of AED 15 billion, and the construction of roads and bridges projects and the development of group transportation by buses and marine transport as well as the development of tram network, stressing that the achievements made by RTA exceed its age.

Mr. Necker expressed his delight through his presence in Dubai, which is the preferred place for German tourists because of its potential in tourism and hospitality and stability as well as its economic, business and development infrastructure.