H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that project completion has reached 97 per cent in the bridges at the approaches of the entry/exit points of Rashidiya Metro Station, and 95 per cent of bridges and roads leading to Meydan Racecourse at Nad al-Sheba area.

Bridges leading to Rashidiya Metro Station are currently undergoing final touches by the contracting company in preparation for opening. The project includes construction of directional ramps at the intersection of Emirates Road and Khawaneej Road. It also includes construction of two bridges at Khawaneej Road in order to facilitate vehicular movement from and to the Park and Ride facility of Rashidiya Metro Station with a total length of 2.5 km. Early last year RTA has opened phase one of the project involving a bridge leading to the entry of the Parking lot of the station; which has a capacity to house about 2700 vehicles.

“Construction of the project, which costs about 699 million dirham, comes as part of RTA drive to improve and upgrade the network of main roads in the emirate of Dubai, and link the Park-and-Ride facilities of the metro stations with the roads network within Dubai Emirate. Rashidiya Station is one of the key metro stations as it is the starting point of Dubai Metro Red Line. The station extends 130 meters in length and 30 meters in width and has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction. The station has two entry points fitted with escalators and lifts to ease the movement of commuters to and from the station, and a multi-level parking lot with a capacity to accommodate 2714 vehicles in order to encourage the public to use the metro in their travels across the emirate. The ground floor of the complex has been designated for public transport modes that feed the station, and has been designed to accommodate articulated and double-deck buses and to ensure smooth traffic flow and accommodate a large number of buses at a time. The building has also been linked with footbridges extending to the opposite side of the road leading to the metro station such that the period needed to travel from the farthest point of a parking slot will not exceed 3 minutes, while addressing all safety aspects of passenger movement within the parking lot.

Al Tayer revealed that construction of Roads & Bridges Project leading to Meydan Racecourse reached an advanced stage and the contractor is about to finalize the project which encompasses construction of bridges extending 2025 meters, including two entry/exit bridges extending 710 meters and a VIP bridge linking Meydan with Dubai-Al Ain Road extending 1315 meters.

“Construction works in the project will be finalized with the launch of the 15th Dubai World Cup on 27 March 2010. The bridges will serve Meydan project; which covers an area of 76 million square feet and encompasses the biggest horseracing racetrack in the world in addition to an hotel, golf courses, malls, recreational facilities, modern stables, Godolphin gallery, waterways, restaurants and parking lots for about 10,000 vehicles.

Mohammed Al Munji: H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, announced that project completion has reached 97 per cent in the bridges at the approaches of the entry/exit points of Rashidiya Metro Station, and 95 per cent of bridges and roads leading to Meydan Racecourse at Nad al-Sheba area.

Mattar Al Tayer

Bridges leading to Rashidiya Metro Station are currently undergoing final touches by the contracting company in preparation for opening. The project includes construction of directional ramps at the intersection of Emirates Road and Khawaneej Road. It also includes construction of two bridges at Khawaneej Road in order to facilitate vehicular movement from and to the Park and Ride facility of Rashidiya Metro Station with a total length of 2.5 km. Early last year RTA  has opened phase one of the project involving a bridge leading to the entry of the Parking lot of the station; which has a capacity to house about 2700 vehicles.

“Construction of the project, which costs about 699 million dirham, comes as part of RTA drive to improve and upgrade the network of main roads in the emirate of Dubai, and link the Park-and-Ride facilities of the metro stations with the roads network within Dubai Emirate. Rashidiya Station is one of the key metro stations as it is the starting point of Dubai Metro Red Line. The station extends 130 meters in length and 30 meters in width and has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction. The station has two entry points fitted with escalators and lifts to ease the movement of commuters to and from the station, and a multi-level parking lot with a capacity to accommodate 2714 vehicles in order to encourage the public to use the metro in their travels across the emirate. The ground floor of the complex has been designated for public transport modes that feed the station, and has been designed to accommodate articulated and double-deck buses and to ensure smooth traffic flow and accommodate a large number of buses at a time. The building has also been linked with footbridges extending to the opposite side of the road leading to the metro station such that the period needed to travel from the farthest point of a parking slot will not exceed 3 minutes, while addressing all safety aspects of passenger movement within the parking lot.

Al Tayer revealed that construction of Roads & Bridges Project leading to Meydan Racecourse reached an advanced stage and the contractor is about to finalize the project which encompasses construction of bridges extending 2025 meters, including two entry/exit bridges extending 710 meters and a VIP bridge linking Meydan with Dubai-Al Ain Road extending 1315 meters.

“Construction works in the project will be finalized with the launch of the 15^th Dubai World Cup on 27 March 2010. The bridges will serve Meydan project; which covers an area of 76 million square feet and encompasses the biggest horseracing racetrack in the world in addition to an hotel, golf courses, malls, recreational facilities, modern stables, Godolphin gallery, waterways, restaurants and parking lots for about 10,000 vehicles.

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) stressed the role of its existing partnership with the private sector in the field of customer service in bolstering the expansion, improvement and further development of services it provides to all clientele.

This remark was made during an “Open House for Strategic Partners” held with RTA stakeholders in December last.

Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of Customer Services Centers Department at RTA Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, stated that this partnership was supportive of RTA’s efforts intended to translate into reality its strategic goals in keeping with Dubai Government’s vision.

“This partnership also cements the profile of Dubai Emirate as a pioneering service center in the region, and enhances its impressive record of achievements in service, economic and social sectors,”

she said.

She pointed out that meeting RTA’s strategic partners was in line with RTA’s keen interest in supporting this partnership and highlighting its significance in upgrading the quality of services provided to customers and their positive impact on the development process in Dubai Emirate.

RTA Customer Service Centers Department organized this forum on Customer Service in cooperation with its strategic partners, which drew participation of several companies, including EPPCO, Emarat Petroleum Company, driving institutes, auto agencies and Ethos Training Consultancy. Apart from officials of the strategic partners, the forum was attended by a large number of RTA officials including directors, managers and employees of all RTA agencies.

An open dialogue was conducted during the gathering between RTA and its strategic partners through which several issues and matters relating to the progress of common business were discussed. In particular the parties discussed issues related to customer service, and Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP) criteria, besides picking up questions raised by the attendants to RTA specialists and experts.

To achieve the maximum levels of customer satisfaction, Dr. Aysha said: “RTA Customer Service Centers Department, in coordination with the Development and Quality Assurance Section, has implemented several initiatives, including the use of IP Phone technologies, monitoring programs to ensure continued communication between coordinators & customers. They also included carrying out customer feedback surveys targeting various service centers as well as Dubai Metro commuters focusing on RTA services with a view to continually studying customer’s needs. The initiatives also included telephone contacts through the Call Center and regular meetings with focus group of customers to understand their needs in addition to the application of the Mystery Shopper program, also involving Dubai Metro commuters”.

“Customer Service Centers Department is always keen on focusing on customers who are the main target of various RTA services; which is set to be realized through adopting world-class international practices in the field of customer services. RTA also continuously strives to improve its services, heed to its customers and assign priority to meeting customer needs at all service-providing locations”, add Dr. Aysha.

It is noteworthy that there are 73 RTA centers dedicated to customer services including the Main Customer Service Center at Umm Al Rumool and the new Call Center in addition to the dial-free number 8009090 and RTA website through which RTA provides more than 164 different e-services.

Under the auspices and in attendance of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) celebrates on Wednesday February 10th the winning companies and organizations of the 2nd Dubai Award for Sustained Transport (DAST) 2009.

Such Awards aim at encouraging community organizations to play an active and positive role in sustained transport, reasserting the leading role of the RTA in promoting partnerships & cooperation with various entities, and bringing sustained transport issues to the forefront of local bodies and media attention.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA announced the winning companies and organizations of the 2nd DAST; as endorsed by an independent panel of experts & specialists from outside the RTA headed by Dr. Salim Ali Al Shafi’ee. The Awards comprise four categories and two Special Recognition categories.

In the category of Special Needs Transportation Requirements the winner was Dubai Airports Co., second came Dubai Center for Special Needs, and the third position went to Emirates Driving Institute.

In the category of Transport Management, the first position was claimed by Dubai World Trade Center, while Dubai Municipality landed the second position, and Dubai Police General Head Quarters finishing third.
In Environment Conservation, the first position was clinched by ENOC Retail Co., while Land Rover Middle East & North Africa Co. finished second, and Al Futtaim Carillion Co came third.

In Transport Safety Category, Emirates Motor Sports Federation landed the first position, and the second position went to Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est., and the third position went to Emirates Transport.
In the Special Mention, the Best Academic Research Award was bagged by Mr. Nazim Fawzi Mansour, and Mr. Roohi Abdat, and the Best Media Coverage was won by the New Commercial Medical Center.

Commenting on the Awards, RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director said: “Despite being recently introduced, Dubai Award for Sustained Transport has made tremendous success as illustrated by the huge number of initiatives subscribed resulting in a 100% increase in the number of submissions made in the second edition of the Awards compared to the first one. Besides that, there is a substantial improvement in the quality & content of submission made, coupled with a heavy participation among public & private organizations”.

Al Tayer stated that all accepted applications conforming to the stipulations of the Award were assessed by the Judging Panel based on meticulous & detailed assessment criteria in accordance with prior approved weights and grades based on main & sub criteria to ensure accuracy, objectivity and fairness in judging all assessed applications. He pointed out that submissions received have been subjected to 7 basic assessment steps starting with the receipt, scrutiny and verification of participations and ending up with the submission of final assessment results.

In its second edition, the Award comprised four categories, following the introduction of a new category vis-à-vis Special Needs Transportation Requirements category; which is concerned with any initiative or practice that addresses the mobility requirements of the disabled. The Second category (Mobility Management) aims at focusing on applicable practices and initiatives that promote the effectiveness of all types of transportation means. The third category (Environment Conservation) aims at minimizing the adverse effects of mass transportation means on the environment. The submission must include an initiative leading to minimizing the levels of air pollution resulting from various transport means, and minimizing the levels & impacts of visual pollution resulting from various mass transportation means.

The fourth category (Transport Safety) is concerned with the initiatives & practices that contribute to raising the standards of safety and security of mass transportation users through improving the performance metrics and levels related to transport means users. This is envisaged to be realized through advocating & upgrading the knowledge and commitment to safety rules and practices during the operation or use of any transportation mode, besides improving security and safety levels that render mass transportation means safer.

This in turn encompasses the application of simple or sophisticated technologies, modification of transportation means and enhancing the safety features of transportation facilities such as roads, parking lots, bus stations, railways and marine transport.
The second edition of DAST witnessed the introduction of two new categories under Special Recognition Awards; namely: Best Media Coverage; which is intended to promote the awareness of the Award, and the Best Academic Research in the field sustained transport.

DUBAI — The Licensing Agency at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will soon standardise driving training programmes at the five driving institutes in Dubai.

Dubai metro

The programme, when implemented, will go a long way in ensuring a secure city free of road traffic accidents.

Ahmed Bahrouzyan, CEO of RTA Licensing Agency, stated that the Drivers Training and Qualification Department was in the process of preparing an initiative to design the first training syllabus for drivers of vehicles, buses, trucks and motorbikes.

The syllabus will be a combination of various models based on the best world practices, which will help reduce causes of road accidents within Dubai.

“We want to insure we have model drivers who can lead their way on the roads of Dubai and the UAE before obtaining driving licenses,” said Bahrouzyan

The syllabus is a mix of practical and theoretical learning and the aim is to enable drivers to obtain all the required driving skills through a number of training stages.

Each stage will involve new tasks and various types of roads with particular focus on the fundamental concepts of speed, safety and communication with others on the road.

“RTA’s Licensing Agency works hand in hand with the five driving institutes of Dubai, towards making these syllabi a reality. Pioneering projects to practically test the syllabi will be carried out within the next few months,” said Bahrouzyan.

The five driving institutes are Belhasa Driving Institute, Emirates Driving Institute, Dubai Driving Center, Al Ahli Driving Center and Galadari Motor Driving Center.

Meanwhile, the Roads and Transport Authority has decided to include autistic patients under the ‘disabled’ category, according to a senior 
RTA official.

They will be issued special photo identity cards and special counters will be set up to assist them at all customer service and vehicle 
licensing centres.

Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO Marine Agency and Chairman of RTA Customers Council, in a Press release on Monday said, ‘‘All advanced facilities, utilities and technologies, including parking, public buses, Metro, marine transport modes and taxicabs, are all aimed at easing the life of this category of customers.”

This development is part of RTA’s ongoing drive in adopt the best practices to benefit people with special needs, and will enable them to integrate into society.

The Dubai Metro will also provide special counter and facilities for autistic parients, Al Mulla added. Visibility and hearing-impaired individuals and those with the physical disabilities are already availing these facilities.

ahmedjamal@khaleejtimes.com

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has received in his office H.E. Guy Warrington, Consul General – the British Embassy in Dubai, in a visit that comes in the context of RTA objectives to build on the ongoing cooperative relations with relevant bodies at the local, regional and international levels.

Dubai metro

During the meeting Al Tayer praised the existing cooperation between the UAE and the UK, and referred to the rising numbers of British investors and tourists attracted to the UAE, and also noted the rising influx of Emiratis heading to the UK as tourists or investors.

The meeting also explored means of boosting cooperation and exchanging expertise between the RTA and its counterpart British companies engaged in rail, roads and transportation industries, and the parties also reviewed the forthcoming road & infrastructure projects in Dubai.

RTA Chairman and Executive Director briefed the British Consul on the key projects currently undertaken by the RTA and said: “The UAE in general and Dubai in particular is witnessing massive developments triggering an influx of peoples and businesses; which require upgrading the infrastructure of roads & various transportation modes such as the metro, water transport, buses, and taxis to accommodate the growth in population, projects and urbanization”.

For his part the British Consul in Dubai hailed the sweeping development the Dubai Emirate is seeing in a record time, turning it into a focal point for investors, businessmen and tourists, thanks to the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He also commended Dubai Metro Project, which added a beautiful dimension to the array of distinguished projects in Dubai Emirate, besides easing the mobility of residents and curbing traffic congestion.

The Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has won the second place award in the GCC e-Government Award 2009 held recently in the Omani capital Muscat, for the category of the best electronically advanced organization (E-Maturity Class) at the GCC level following a fierce competition with several GCC Ministries and organizations. Submissions to the Awards were assessed by an international panel comprising members from several countries worldwide.

The Award was collected on behalf of the RTA by Ahmed Hashim Bahrouzyan, CEO of RTA Licensing Agency, in a ceremony held in the presence of H.E. Ahmed Abdul Nabi Makki, Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, and in charge of the Ministry of Finance in the Sultanate of Oman.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, expressed his delight to see another accolade added to the impressive record of achievements made by the RTA glittering with vital projects and strategic initiatives capable of boosting the profile of the UAE in general and Dubai Emirate in particular at the regional and GCC levels, and giving an incentive for others to recharge their efforts towards optimum utilization of the existing projects.

Al Tayer made these remarks while receiving the Award from RTA IT Team headed by the CEO of RTA Licensing Agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrouzyan, the CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani, IT Dep’t Director Abdullah Al Bastaki, and e-Government Manager Abdullah Al Ashqer.

“RTA has developed an integrated strategy for shifting the services rendered to customers to online platforms in keeping with the vision and drive of the e-Government in a strategy based on prompt delivery, customer centricity. This was coordinated with the e-Government in the context of showcasing RTA e-services and applying the standards and criteria of Dubai e-Government such as eServices Quality Framework. Observations made by Dubai e-Government and incorporated in e-Services Quality Assessment Report about the design and contents have been taken on board” said Al Tayer.

“The total number of e-services offered by the RTA has reached 164 services (procedural and informational) representing all services rendered online, achieving a 100% switch of the total e-services in spanning all the services agreed to in advance with Dubai e-Government. The initiatives and activities undertaken by the RTA in the field of e-services have contributed to facilitating customer service procedures. For instance two e-services related to driving licenses and vehicle registration cards have been launched online with a view to adding new and diverse channels for processing transactions without having to visit the service location.

“RTA is always keen on delivering the best-in-class e-services to mass transit system users among which is Nol Card; which is one the electronically sophisticated systems across the world offering the best and easiest service to the users of various transport systems spanning Dubai Metro, public buses, water bus and paid parking machines. The number of cards sold since the Nol card had been rolled out on 22 August 2009 up to 22 December 2009 reached 1,041,000 cards. RTA has also introduced Wojhati (Journey Planner) and Dubai Emirate has become only the fifth city worldwide to apply the system after London, New York, Munich and Melbourne.

The system provides full details required by mass transit mode users, and uploads public transport information (public buses, metro and water taxi) on Google Maps; thus Dubai has become the first city in the Middle East and North Africa regions to add its public transport data to Google Maps and introduce the mParking service, enabling customers to pay their parking fees through the mobile phone without having to go to the parking machine or carry coins.

It is worth-mentioning that GCC e-Government Award has been set up by a decision from the GCC General Secretariat with the aim of creating competitiveness among various GCC Ministries and various government entities and enhancing the e-government of the region.

Dubai video. Dubai Metro. 2010

Source:  www.youtube.com 

The Licensing Agency at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has revealed its 2010 plans aimed at intensifying and augmenting the scope and reach of its commercial transport activity services to cover all areas of Dubai through targeting commercial companies.

Furat Ali Al Amri

Furat Ali Al Amri, Acting Director of Commercial Transport Activities Dep’t at RTA Licensing Agency, stated: “The Department is currently pondering expansion of its commercial transport activities and commercial registration & licensing services to businesses and corporate customers, to bring the services to them, thus saving them both time and effort”.
 
Al Amri added: “From the beginning of the current year, the Department has enhanced the commercial registration & licensing services by setting up Al Barsha Center and deployed front-end employees to deliver services to customers after being trained on the applicable commercial licensing system. We are now in the process of activating this service at the Al Aweer Center later and thereafter at all service centers of the Agency as well as sub-centers of Customer Service Centers Department”.
 
“Through this expansion, the department seeks to make the services readily accessible to customers and attract commercial companies. In this respect we have conducted a study on vital commercial activities which include commercial companies, and enhanced the role of the Department in this field. Accordingly, we have decided to be available in the proximity of these companies, in which way we can reach them and make it easier for them to access our services”.
 
“During 2010 we are keen on stretching the scope of our commercial transport activities and the scale of our services to cover the entire Dubai Emirate. That is why we have targeted Jebel Ali and Al Aweer areas as they are commercial zones bordering other Emirates and swarmed with commercial companies. By reaching these companies, we can promote many of the services provided to them and make it easy for customers to get to RTA offices spread all over Dubai Emirate”.
 
“The expansion plan is based on decentralization of services and lessening the pressure on Deira Center. Through this plan, we aim to better serve these businesses, heed to their opinions, feedback, and attend to their fresh inputs so as to implement them in a way that would enrich and promote the economy” added Al Amri.
 
He concluded that the services relating to the Commercial Transport Activities Department used to be provided by a single staff at Deira Traffic, RTA Main Customer Service Center and the Department of Economic Development.

But now, we are working towards energizing this activity in all branches to assist customer accessibility to the commercial licensing services through increasing the number of counter employees who can provide miscellaneous services without centralizing the whole service in a single center.

The Marketing and Corporate Communication Department at the Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, organized a recreational metro tour for people with special needs of the Emirates Center for Special Needs from Al Rashidiya Station to Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station.

Hind Al Tajir, Acting Director of Corporate Communication Dep’t at the RTA Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, said: “The recreational trip is meant to enhance the integration of people with special needs into the community. RTA attaches paramount importance to this category of people, who constitute an integral part of the UAE community; which cares so much for providing decent live to all those living on its soil. It also aims to communicate the idea that this category is welcome to use the metro at any time at par with their unimpaired counterparts”.

Hind further stated: “During the trip the participants familiarized themselves with the facilities available at the metro stations and services provided to people with special needs. In addition, an elaborate description was provided to the attendants escorting special needs people highlighting the advantages offered to metro commuters, the safety systems, and all matters relating to the use of the metro”.
She pointed out that RTA provided an intelligent directional system through tactile directional floor signs to guide visually-impaired commuters, and aid them to move confidently and independently through various parts of the metro network. It has also provided low-floor ticket counters such that they are easily accessible to the wheel-chaired commuters, provided custom-built toilets, and launched a dedicated website for special needs.

In attendance were Fahd Hadi, Manager of Public Relations Section from the RTA; Abdul Rahman bin Ali, Deputy Director of Government Communication Dep’t at the Ministry of Labour; and Saeed Mohammed Abdul Ghani, Director of Emirates Center for Special Needs.