RTA partners with NAPT to co-host 'International Conference for School Transportation 2013'

The MoU was signed on behalf of the RTA by H.E. Matar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, and for NAPT by Michael Martin, Executive Director of NAPT, in the presence of H.E. Robert Waller, the US Consul General to Dubai and Essa Abdul Rahman Al-Dossari, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency.

During the meeting, the two parties exchanged views, concepts and suggestions for improving the caliber of school transport in Dubai Emirate with the aim of delivering best-in-class services in this vital field; which impacts a large segment of students of various age groups, and ensuring they are provided with a smooth and safe school transport service.

Addressing the press conference held to mark the signing of the MoU, Al Dossari said, "Staging the International Conference for School Transportation 2013 in Dubai Emirate culminates years of cooperation between the Public Transport Agency and NAPT; resulting in a partnership between the two parties. We, in the RTA, are keen on bringing the highest international practices of school transport to the MENA region through seeking the expertise of NAPT; which caters to the transportation of millions of students every day in the USA," said Al Dossari.

"Since the RTA embarked on the implementation of the School Transport Law in Dubai Emirate in 2008, the Public Transport Agency has made studios & serious efforts to assist school managements as well as school transport companies with the optimal implementation of this Law," added Al Dossari.

For her part, Alexandra Robinson, President of NAPT, praised the strenuous efforts made by the RTA in broadening and uplifting the public transport network in Dubai Emirate, including school transport, through applying world-class practices in this regard.

"Banking on our seasoned experience in school transportation, we will work expeditiously to make the International Conference for School Transportation 2013 in Dubai a starting point for the transfer of expertise, concepts and new suggestions between the countries of the region to support them build a solid & safe school transport network to help students of various age groups achieve the best results in their academic career," she continued.

Robinson expressed her utmost delight in teaming with the RTA towards the success of this international pinnacle of school transport industry, particularly as it is held in Dubai; which has an impressive record in holding exhibitions & conferences representing a wide spectrum of commercial, economic, service, financial and tourist sectors among others.

The press conference was attended by Abdul Aziz Malik, Consultant of the Dubai Taxi Corporation; Badr Al Attar, Executive Director of Logistical Services cum Director of Dubai Branch in Emirates Transport; and Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of RTA Marketing & Corporate Communication.

Also in attendance were a host of Public Transport Agency's top officials including Furat Ali Al-Amri, Director of Franchising and Enforcement; Mohammed Abdulla Al-Ali, Director of Planning & Business Development, Mohammed Masoud Al Janahi, Manager of Mobility Programmes and several other directors in addition to a horde of various media representatives in the UAE.