UITP Middle East and North Africa Congress closes

The Congress sessions witnessed participation from 350 personalities representing 50 countries, along with participation of 40 world leading companies & establishments in the accompanying Showcase. Exhibitors presented a number of innovative products, services & solutions in this field; which commanded the attention of a large number of visitors over three days.

On behalf of H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), engineer Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, CEO of Public Transport Agency & Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, delivered a speech in the final ceremony. In his speech, Al Dosari praised the participating companies & establishments which exhibited its products & various solutions in the accompanying Showcase, and hailed the efforts they put in order to realize the objectives sought by the RTA by organizing such an important event in Dubai.

Al Dosari spoke about the achievement made by Dubai in winning the honour of organizing the 59th UITP World Public Transport Congress to be held in 2011, in addition to a host of leading projects undertaken by the RTA through its various organizational units.

Commenting on the findings of the Congress Al Dosari said: "Participants in this event have come out with a number of constructive recommendations & concepts; which are capable of broadening & developing public transport network in the region."

Among the key recommendations and suggestions to which the participants concluded Al Dosari said: "The Congress invited the attention of the legislative bodies in the Middle East & North African (MENA) countries to the importance of identifying & developing an integrated & sound policy to oversee infrastructure investments in this sector, and the paramount importance of working to realize this objective as it has considerable impact on public transport sector."

"The Congress stressed the need for heightening the awareness of the importance of establishing strategic, tactical & operational integration of public transport modes. The strategic dimension highlights the importance of coordination between land use plans and the policy governing operation of transport means, and this element ensures long-term effectiveness & efficiency of transport system operations. The tactical aspect covers the integrated linking process between transport networks & modes, services, fares, ticketing, information sheets and other components, with a view to ensure smooth & easy use of public transport means. As to the operation episode, it ensures optimum utilization of human, financial and technological resources of the authorities & agencies overseeing the operation of this sector," he said.

Al Dosari added that the participants in the Congress commended the existing context; whereby information & communication technologies are used in this sector so that they will contribute to improving the effectiveness, efficiency, safety, quality, and reliability of services provided. Such trend may reduce maintenance costs, offer more potentials & tools of augmenting revenues, and step-up & promote public attention to using public transport.

However, at the same time, the Congress reminded that information & communication technologies remain as tools only and cannot be viewed as replacement to policy & administrative competence. The Congress invited public transport regulating and operating authorities in MENA region to attached more attention and care for this sector towards providing the required infrastructure, and using clean fuel in public transport vehicles.

Considering the demographic growth and urban expansion in MENA countries, the Congress recommended preparation of Master Transport Plans at the stage of urban planning and the implementation processes that follow. Countries which pursued such a method in the past are virtually facing no difficulties with public transport sector for the time being.

Recommendations concluded by participants in the Congress attached utmost importance to the role of human resources in identifying, implementing and operating public transport systems in MENA countries, which are experiencing extensive developments and are therefore in need of trained & competent cadres by means of subjecting them to ongoing training to keep abreast of global advances in this regard. The Congress also recommended developing & launching a number of suitable initiatives at the national & international levels in the field of public transport, and encouraging exchange & sharing of knowledge & expertise between the authorities governing & operating public transport, under the umbrella of the UITP.

Participants in the Congress summarized their findings by saying that it is technically & economically viable to figure out sound solutions to cope with the challenges faced by public transport systems, however, implementation of such solutions remain dependant on the political will of decision-makers.

The Congress also hailed the development witnessed in most of MENA countries in the field of expanding & modernizing public transport systems, and encouraging large & medium businesses to contribute in the path of this sector through investing in the existing commercial opportunities in this field so as to cater for the increasing demand for public transport services.

RTA organized field visits to the participants in the Congress & Showcase to work sites of Al Ittihad Station of Dubai Metro Project, Bani Yas Water Bus Station and Jumeriah Palm Project.