Source: www.rta.ae
Best Public Transport Driver, Inter-City Driver and Honest Driver Awards inaugurated
The Bus Dep’t, Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has honoured 150 distinguished bus drivers during the biannual 2010 ceremony held at Al Awir Station attended by the CEO of Public Transport Agency Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari and the Director of Bus Furat Al Amri in addition to other Directors and officials of the Agency.
Speaking on the event, the Director of Bus Furat Al Amri said: “The Department is always keen on holding this kind of event which is viewed as an integral part of its work process aimed at raising the efficiency and motivating drivers to continue with disciplined and attentive driving practices while adhering to the speed limits in an effort to reduce traffic accidents. This is particularly relevant as honourees were carefully selected by virtue of their accident & offence-free driving record over an extended period of service. For the first time, three awards are being inaugurated to recognize the best three drivers throughout their service period in addition to the decoration of the best driver in public transport and inter-city transport as well as the best honest driver.”
Al Amri continued: “These Awards are intended to leverage these drivers to continue with their fruitful and dedicated service in order to set roles models for other drivers to emulate and follow suit in practicing safe driving; which will ultimately help us realize our mission of preparing legislations and developing public transport systems that are safe, comfortable, economical, environment-friendly and integrated with other mass transit systems such that they will be the ideal mobility choice of residents in keeping with the highest international standards.”
Commenting on the key observations made by the public about public buses in Dubai, Al Amri said: “Bus Department, which is one of the biggest departments of Public Transport Agency, receives about 200 to 300 calls every month ranging from suggestions & complaints to different sorts of views. Bus commuters are communicated through text messages to keep them informed on changes and updates made on bus routes, and some of the observations relate to this particular aspect.”
Al Amri called on the public to use the public buses saying: “We are very keen on urging drivers to show commitment, respect the public and enhance the ridership of buses by stressing their importance to the community. In keeping with our strategic plan, we are endeavouring to raise bus ridership to as much as 30% by 2020.”
For their part the decorated bus drivers expressed their deep thanks and gratitude for being honoured by Public Transport Agency and pledged to redouble their efforts to deliver their duties in the best manner. They also mentioned that this step would give them huge impetus to better serve the community, and contribute to the overall improvement of public transport systems in Dubai.
