RTA Receives the Flag of Hosting 59th UITP World Congress & Exhibition 2011

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji: Dubai received the flag of hosting the 59^th World Congress and Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which will be hosted by Dubai in 2011, at the closing session of the 58^th UITP World Congress held in the Austrian capital Vienna.

The event was attended by more than 1000 personalities headed by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Omran, UAE Ambassador to Austria & Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN at Vienna, H.E. Roberto Cavalieri, UITP President, H.E. Hans Rat, UITP Secretary General, senior Austrian government officials, executives of transport sector from all over the world, and representatives of companies specialized in the field of transport.

Al Tayer received the flag of hosting The 59^th UITP World Congress and Exhibition from H.E. Roberto Cavalieri and H.E. Hans Rat amid a huge applause from the attendants.

In a speech delivered after taking over of the flag, Al Tayer said: “The United Arab Emirates made massive economic, social and cultural development and grew into a key commercial center, thanks to the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his brother HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Accordingly, the UAE has had a vibrant and diverse economy and succeeded in attracting considerable number of investors, businessmen; thanks to its superb infrastructure, international outlook, free economic policy and emphasis on delivering top-notch services at the least possible costs”.

Al Tayer lauded the efforts of the Austrian Government and the UITP in bringing success to the 58^th UITP World Congress and delivering it in a fine format. He also praised the work papers discussed during the Congress and the latest transport technologies displayed by the participating companies. Meanwhile, Al Tayer welcomed all attendants to Dubai during the 59^th UITP Congress; which will be hosted by Dubai in 2011.

“When you visit Dubai, you will notice the eye-catching infrastructure, smooth flow of business cycle and world-class service delivery. We view Dubai as a regional hub of integrated transport systems. The 59^th UITP World Congress 2011 will be a milestone in our drive to achieve transport excellence, marking the completion of transport modes spanning the metro, tram, public transport, and marine transport in the emirate such that Dubai will set the example to follow in the region” said Al Tayer.

He added: “I’m proud of the huge success made by the emirate of Dubai in upgrading mass transit system; which has become crucial for the daily mobility of Dubai residents. RTA was established in 2005 to assume responsibility for transport in Dubai and from inception it set sight on provision of an integrated mass transit network that includes buses, marine modes, metro, and tram; all of which are characterized by top quality, affordable rates and wide geographical coverage. Additionally, RTA is assigning much attention to safety in all public transport means; including trains and buses.

“This year will witness the operation of the initial phase of Dubai Metro Project; the longest driverless metro project constructed as one project worldwide. It extends 75 km and connects 48 stations; including the biggest metro station in the world i.e. the 25,000 square meter area Union Square Station; a key interchange station between the Red and Green Lines. Dubai Metro is modeled at the highest global standards and based on state-of-the-art rail technologies to meet the requirements of various community segments. With its air-conditioned stations, and e-ticketing system, the system sets the benchmark of total quality standards. It has a capacity to handle 23,000 passengers per hour per direction, and the metro is set to attract 17% of total person trips in the city by 2020”.

During the closing ceremony a film was played to showcase the massive economic process in the emirate of Dubai, the traditions of the UAE society as well as the tourist, cultural and commercial landmarks of the emirate. Al Mazyoodi Band made Yawla dance which was well received by the attendants. Events also included sand drawing of several Dubai tourist attraction landmarks, RTA logo and the logo of the 59^th UITP World Congress & Exhibition “Dubai 2011”.

Afterwards, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, together with H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Omran, UAE Ambassador to Austria, accompanied chief guests of the closing ceremony to RTA stand at the Exhibition; where they were served with popular UAE cuisine and Arabian coffee. The guests attended a video presentation about the experiment of the RTA in developing mass transit systems covering metro, tram, marine transport and public buses as well as road projects and modern traffic technologies.

At the end of the event, Al Tayer presented trophies to H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Omran, UAE Ambassador to Austria & Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN at Vienna, H.E. Roberto Cavalieri, the outgoing UITP President whose term has ended with the current term, H.E. Hans Rat, UITP Secretary General, H.E Elain Flausch the new President of UITP and the representative of Vienna Government.

from Roads & Transport Authority, www.zawya.com