His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently received H.E. Rainer Bomba, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building & Urban Development, and H.E.

Gunther Adler, Head of External Economic Affairs. Also present were representatives of top German firms engaged in building, operating and maintaining of mass transit means & traffic control systems as well as a host of CEOs & Directors of the RTA.

At the outset of the meeting, Al Tayer welcomed the German Minister and praised the cooperative relationships linking the RTA with German firms operating in roads & transportation field.

“We’ve extensive partnership relationships with several German businesses particularly in the Dubai Metro project, public buses and electronic systems,” remarked Al Tayer.

He then gave the German delegation an overview of the Dubai Metro project which started in July 2006 and extends 75 km in both the Red and Green Lines. The elevated track runs 58.7 km, the underground track extends 12.6 km and the surface track extends 3.3 km on the Red Line only.

“The total transit time on the Red Line is about 65 minutes whereas the total transit time on the Green Line is about 35 minutes. Among the key design features of the Dubai Metro project is that it has a fully automated operational system, central air-conditioning system in all stations & attached footbridges, and auto doors to seclude passenger platforms from the rail track. The project also has three maintenance & storage depots at Al Rashidiya, Al Qusais and Jebel Ali. Each train has a capacity to take 643 passengers and comprises two types of metro carriages; a Gold Class and Silver Class in addition to an exclusive compartment for women and children.

“There are 79 trains to run the service but currently 50 trains are deployed for the daily operations offering service at 4-6 minutes frequency (headway) during peak hours, and 6-8 minutes frequency during off-peak hours. The design capacity of the metro is about 26 thousand persons per hour per direction and a headway of 90 seconds; however, the currently used capacity is in the order of 37%; which illustrates the potentials of the Dubai Metro to handle the projected passengers’ growth in decades to come,” elaborated Al Tayer.

The German delegation commended the speedy delivery of infrastructure projects such as roads, Dubai Metro, revamp of public buses fleet and the integration between mass transit means. He cited the Dubai Metro project featuring terrific design, high level finishing works, and excellent passengers’ service experience.

The German State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building & Urban Development expressed his aspirations for establishing cooperative and partnership relationships between the two parties that pave the way for sharing expertise and benefiting from individual practices in public transport and rail systems. He added that he would be looking forward for the German firms to take part in the projects & programs to be adopted by the RTA in future.

Dubai: The tenth online auction recently launched by the Licensing Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) generated nearly Dh4 million.

Some 507 number plates were on offer, and included distinguished 4 and 5-digit number plates of the M category.

The total proceeds from the auction reached Dh3.911 million, said Mohammad Abdul Karim Nimaat, Director of Vehicles Licensing at RTA Licensing Agency.

The auction saw high participation as the M-category number plates were launched.

“The plate M-12233 was the sales topper as it fetched a sum as high as Dh27,000 followed by M-1123 exchanged for Dh26,400 and M-11169 sold for Dh25,700,” said Nimaat.

The next online auction will be held on February 21.

Huawei, a leading global information and communication technology (ICT) solutions provider, has successfully deployed its transmission network solution on the Dubai Metro through Du, enabling passengers and small retail businesses access to mobile services in the stations across 18 metro stops in total on the green line.

Huawei announces the successful completion of the project following the Middle East Rail that took place recently where it showcased its portfolio of railway solutions and participated in a series of panel discussions.

Huawei offers a comprehensive set of products and solutions to urban rail operators and has completed a number of ground-breaking rail projects worldwide. With the MENA region currently the world’s fastest growing market for rail projects, expected to double in size in the next decade, rail is central to Huawei’s growth in the region.

Dr. Liu Qi, President, Middle East for Huawei Enterprise, commented: “Dubai is a great place to live, work and do business in, but as the city continues to grow, congestion and traffic are becoming more problematic. Better public transport infrastructure is an added draw for businesses investing in the region, and since it was created in 2009, the Dubai Metro has made the daily commute easier for thousands of workers.

“The transmission network we have built with Du provides access to 2G, 3G, WiFi and WiMAX services, so passengers on the Green Line can now enjoy the commuting experience that little bit more by browsing the Internet, checking their emails, working on their laptops or even conducting meetings on the move. In the forty years UAE has achieved many milestones – the construction of the Dubai Metro is a significant one, and we’re very pleased to have played our part.”

While the region is undergoing more than $250bn of planned investment in the railways sector, the GCC is leading the way with expected rail project spend of around $245bn, according to the MEED Railways Report 2011. More info

CRCC has built the Makkah Metro. Makkah Metro, will transport pilgrims between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.

Source:  www.youtube.com

Makkah Metro

The Commercial Transport Dep’t at the Licensing Agency of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently briefed a visiting delegation from the Sharjah Transport Corporation on the best practices relating to commercial transport, and key projects & programs to be undertaken this year in line with the highest international standards.

Receiving the delegation, the Director of Commercial Transport Activities Sultan Al Kutbi stressed the importance of these meetings as they reflect the extent of cooperation between government entities in various Emirates of the country, and joint communications made with a view to improving the business conduct and streamlining shared roles under a drive to adopt the best practices in place.

In a visual presentation made to the visiting delegation, Al Kutbi touched on various information related to the Department along with its vision & mission, which revolve around the continued enhancement of legislations & regulations in a way that serves customers, and nurtures a safe & integrated commercial land transport environment.

“The Commercial Transport Activities Department is seeking this year to pursue the best programs and projects capable of enhancing its standing and services rendered to the public in the transport sector. Among key issues of common interest is the conversion of some service offering to the online mode, enhancement of the electronic link with the Department of Economic Development in order to streamline procedures and overcome obstacles encountered by the public, streamlining the transport of hazardous materials sector & quad bikes rental sector this year, and classifying the tourist buses,” he elaborated.

The Sharjah Transport delegation reviewed various services delivered by the Commercial Transport Activities Dep’t along with the key transport & rental activities. They were also introduced to the key documentation associated with different services and applicable fees; which vary according to each service. The review also covered communication channels opened with the public in order to identify their feedback and how to improve and deliver the services through RTA portal, Call Center 8009090 or Customer Service Centers such as Deira Licensing Center, and Customer Service Center at Umm Al Ramool.

Then RTA officials & members of the visiting delegation engaged in discussions where visitors were acquainted with the security information system applicable at Car Rental Offices in cooperation with the Dubai Police, which requires full information of the renter to be entered in the system in order to ensure higher protection to all parties concerned. They were also familiarized with the business routines of transporting passengers on hired buses or limousines between Dubai & Sharjah. “The streamlining of passenger transportation falls within the roles of RTA Public Transport Agency where passengers transportation on deluxe vehicles is made through operational agreements made with Operators,” stated Sultan Al Kutbi.

The two parties also discussed the transport laws; be it passenger transport or cargo transport between Emirates of the country which are applied by the National Transport Authority in Abu Dhabi (Land Transport Law); which requires a specific operational card. Discussions also covered the technical specifications of limousines used for transportation of passengers along with the conditions attached to this activity. They also touched on the prescribed lifecycle of vehicles related to commercial transport activities; which are customized to suit the activity itself.

The delegation members praised RTA’s continuous endeavours to introduce & adopt the best schemes & systems that render the RTA a key destination to various entities seeking to upgrade their business practices to keep them at par with the international standards.

DUBAI — The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has increased the number of outlets selling Unified Fare Cards (Nol cards) for mass transit commuters, spanning the metro, public buses, and the water bus as well as motorists paying for parking fees in Dubai.

Nol Cards

Nol cards will now be available at 39 outlets of Al Fardan Exchange, 30 outlets of Al Maya Group and seven outlets of Aswaq.

Mohammad Yousuf Al Mudharreb, Director of the Unified Automated Fare Collection at the RTA Corporate Technical Support Services Sector, said: “To implement this decision, the Unified Automated Fare Collection Department increased the number of outlets selling various types of Nol cards following the signing of bilateral agreements with Al Fardan Exchange, Al Maya Group, and Aswaq, which are amongst the leading business entities with extensive selling outlets across the UAE.

“The new selling outlets will be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to other selling outlets since the initial offering of Nol cards, which includes a stipulation of maintaining a unified price at all existing and new selling outlets.

The 50 per cent discount on personalised Nol Blue Cards which the RTA launched in January will end this month.

news@khaleejtimes.com

Dubai: The opening of 11 new plants, including eight serving the Dubai Metro Green Line, boosted profits last year at the National Central Cooling Company, also known as Tabreed.

Dubai Metro

The Dubai-listed utilities firm said net income advanced to Dh182.7 million ($50 million) from Dh136.8 million in 2010, an increase of 34 per cent. The company’s stock price fell 0.55 per cent to 54 fils per share at the close yesterday on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

Tabreed’s core business involves chilling water at its plants, which is in turn used to cool buildings and other infrastructure projects. The 11 new plants increased the firm’s total connected capacity in the UAE to 555,181 refrigeration tonnes.

“Tabreed’s performance was driven by its core chilled water division, which aggressively fuelled the company’s bottom line,” said Marwan Shurrab, vice-president and chief trader at Gulfmena Investments.

Sustained rally

“The stock saw some profit taking but that is not a surprise given the market has been on a sustained rally; the DFM was up six per cent for the month of January,” he added.

Tabreed’s chilled water division saw revenues increase 25 per cent to Dh943.8 million while gross profit rose 27 per cent to Dh406 million.

Group revenue for the year increased by 9 per cent to Dh1.1 billion. More info

DUBAI – The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will launch  a new bus route on February 3 to link International City with Warsan 3 and the service will be operational on Fridays.

Dubai Buses

Ahmed Mohammed Al Hammadi, acting CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, said: “The Bus Department of Public Transport Agency will launch on February 3 a new route in Dubai named as Route 333 with a path connecting several localities including Warsan 2 as well as other vital spots within the International City such as the Post Office 2, Dragon Mart and Civil Defence 1. It also links key spots at Warsan 2 such as Workers Compound 2 and Trucks Parking 2, in addition to key areas at Warsan 3 such as Khawaneej Flowers Nursery, and Nad Al Sheba Nursery among other key areas covered by this route.”

Transit services on other routes have also been upgraded such as extending the path of Route C14 to Al Nahda 1 to reach May Tower. The Route 22 has also been modified to serve Dubai Courts in the direction of the Dubai Healthcare City. Route F16 has been modified to start from the Business Bay Metro Station where the route has been adjusted at Al Wasl Street and Jumeirah.

The path of Route F60 at Safa has also been modified, and the path of Route F48 has been modified to the Dubai Investment Park, particularly Madina Supermarket. Moreover, the path of Route 365 at the Dubai Silicon Valley to serve IT Plaza, and the path of Route F44 at the Jebel Ali area has been modified.

“The RTA is keen on widening and upgrading the public transport network to keep abreast of the urbanisation drive and the economic growth in the emirate. The public transport routes are one of the key strategic initiatives and key pillars of raising the percentage of trips made by public transport means through enticing various segments of the community to use mass transit systems in their daily travels.

news@khaleejtimes.com

Jan 31 (Reuters) – Tenders for the Doha Metro project will be issued in the second quarter, Qatar Railways Co’s group director said on Tuesday, in the second delay in tendering the $41 billion rail project.

“It will be in April or May,” Ghanim al-Ibrahim told Reuters by telephone.

In October, the company said it would delay tenders until the first quarter of 2012 in order to complete more detailed studies on the project.

Qatar Railways, which had originally planned to issue the first tender by the end of 2011, said in October it had received bids from around 60 consortiums with at least two contractors each.

The project will include four rail lines and will link stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup which Qatar will host, with an underground component in the centre of the capital Doha. It is expected to employ more than 20,000 workers during the peak of construction. More info

It is not a region known for its promotion of equal rights for women.

'Top priority': Miss Al Safar said her jobs had made her open to challenges and unafraid to take risks

However, a 28-year-old woman from Dubai has struck a blow for her Arabic sisters after becoming a train driver for the city’s Metro system.

Not only is Mariam Al Safar the first female in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to get behind the controls of a train – she is also the first in the Middle East.

Her feat is all the more impressive when you consider women are arrested in Saudi Arabia for driving a car.

Miss Al Safar, a native Emirati, is one of a select few UAE residents qualified to get behind the controls of a Dubai Metro train – and is the only woman, it was reported.

The network, which is described as the most advanced in the world is primarily an unmanned automatic driving system, which is operated from a centralised control room.

However, in the event of system repairs or an accident, it needs manual operation.

Miss Al Safar told Gulf News: ‘I am always open to challenges and I am not afraid to take risks. I work hard and my job is my top priority.’

She added: ‘Being a train attendant has helped me understand how to interact with people and staff from different nationalities and different cultures. This has empowered me to tackle different kinds of situations with ease.’ More info and photos