By Manal Khalid www.zawya.com www.rta.ae
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.
