Planned public transport system key focus of Smart Move exhibition and conference

Among the issues discussed was the most effective blend of public transportation modes that could help Dubai beat congestion and reduce overcrowding on the highways.

Addressing a select panel of leading transport executives, Mr. Qassem Sultan, Director General for Dubai Municipality, discussed the transportation master plan which will ensure smooth and effective travel for Dubai's rising population.

"Dubai Municipality will have increased its fleet of buses to around 600 by the end of this year, to support the average 90 million bus journeys made by passengers in Dubai in 2004. However, we see that the future lies with the Dubai Light Rail system, a strategic project which will serve the transport needs of travellers within Dubai for years to come," said Mr. Sultan.

"The growing population of Dubai demands an easy and effective way to get to their destinations, and it is our pride and duty to provide that," he added.

During the open-forum discussion, Sultan also outlined the five year planning, analysis and development scheduled that has brought the Dubai Light Rail project to fruition.

The meeting was attended by senior transport officials from around the region including: Dr. Moussa Al Shaar, Deputy Minister of Transport, Syria; Eng. Iyad Ghazal, Director General of Syrian Railways; Mr Shooshtari, Director General of Mashhad Railway, Iran; Eng. Saad Shehata, Chairman, National Authority for Tunnels, Egypt; and Mr Rajabi, Director General of Shiraz Railway, Iran.

"The Smart Move conference and exhibition has been a major success, providing an exciting insight into the future of public transport in the region, and creating a number of essential networking opportunities for supplier, partners, and potential customers," said Davyd Farrell, Project Manager of IIR Middle East's Smart Move conference.

"Looking to the future, there is little doubt that public transport will remain a critical discussion for states across the Middle East, and a vibrant source of business and development," he added.

Smart Move 2004 also hosted a discussion on improving congestion and reducing traffic problems, attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Assistant Director General for Roads and General Project Affairs, Dubai Municipality. The potential benefits of compulsory safe driving courses were a hot topic for discussion, with a number of potential approaches being analyzed.

Exhibitors at this year's Smart Move exhibition reported strong interest from visitors, with deals being initiated between a number of specialist organizations and transport project developers.

"We are participating in a tender related to the Urban Light Rail Project in Dubai. Exhibiting at Smart Move gave us the opportunity to network with the right kind of people and our sheer presence highlighted our commitment to using our expertise to contribute to the success of regional urban transport initiatives," said Rolf Berglund, rail control solutions, Bombardier Transportation.

His thoughts were reiterated by Michael Thielmann, Senior Manager for DC overseas, Mercedes Benz. He emphasised the importance of an event such as Smart Move that acts as a platform for information exchange giving interested parties the opportunity to network with important regional players.

Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors (WPSD), currently bidding on several Middle East projects, also exhibited at Smart Move this year.

"WPSD chose to be present at this year's Smart Move conference because this region remains an important market for us. The projects being planned here are some of the most modern in the world and are, therefore, ideal candidates for our technology," said a senior spokesperson for the company.