RTA hosts UITP executive and legislative boards meetings

Abdul Aziz Al Malek, CEO of Dubai Taxi at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), member of the Organizing Committee of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) 1st Middle East & North Africa Congress & Showcase, and Head of MENA Division - which held three days sessions in Crown Plaza Hotel, Dubai ending on 27th November hosted the delegates.

"The number of participants in the meetings of the UITP Executive & Legislative Boards reached 88 persons, with 62 representing the meetings of the Legislative Board and 24 participants in the Executive Board. There were also 24 delegates accompanying the participating delegations. Accordingly the number of participants in the morning technical tour held on 28 November was 14, and participants in the evening tour of the same day was 21. RTA provided all facilities and logistics required for the success of such meetings during which key topics and issues of concern to UITP activities throughout the world were discussed" said Al Malek.

Speaking about the topics which were discussed in the meetings, Al Malek stated that those meetings covered a number of key issues such as an introductory presentation about UITP work plan for 2008, assessing evaluation & impressions of participants in the World UITP Congress & Showcase held in the Finnish Capital Helsinki early this year, along with the World UITP Congress & Showcase to be held in the Austrian capital Vienna in 2009. The meetings also discussed establishing integrated linking with the urban sector, economic feasibility of public transport projects, managing of ticketing & e-tolls, and safety & security instructions at public transport buses. Discussions also included other key issues capable of diversifying levels of services provided and means of expanding & developing them to match the demographic & urban expansion in various countries & continents.

RTA organized technical tours program for participants in the meetings of the UITP Executive & Legislative Boards, which included field visits to a number of sites & projects undertaken by the RTA and inspected work progress. Tours covered Union Square Station of Dubai Metro Project, Bani Yas Station of the Water Bus, and the Palm to review the huge property projects under construction in that area.

Commenting on the success made by the UITP 1st Middle East & North Africa Congress & Showcase held in the period 25-27 November, Malek said "This success would not have been achieved without the support of all those who participated in organizing the sessions of the Congress and the events of the Showcase. Truly it was a splendid opportunity for experts, decision-makers and executives of public transport in the region to keep abreast of the latest developments in this service sector; which is viewed as an indicator of development of economic and commercial services in various countries & communities".

Members of the Executive & Legislative Boards of the UITP praised the RTA and were highly appreciative of its hosting the meetings of the two boards. They also hailed the great efforts made by RTA work team to make their meetings successful. They also commended the work progress in various projects undertaken by the RTA, and were equally impressed with the progress made by the emirate of Dubai at various fields.