Source: www.rta.ae
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Public Transport Authority in Paris (RATP), to enhance the mutual cooperation and boost relationships in the interest of both parties.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the RTA by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, and on behalf of RATP by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer H.E. Pierre Mongin in the presence of H.E. Allan Azwaw French Ambassador to the UAE, French Consul General in Dubai H.E. Eric Giraud-Thelme and a number of executives from both sides.
The MoU provided for boosting the cooperation and exchanging knowhow and expertise in the strategic planning of public transport, and the management of mass transit systems as well as designing and installing the metro and tram systems.
Commenting on the signing of the MoU Al Tayer said: “The signing of this MoU comes in the context of RTA efforts to introduce best-in-class global practices in the field of mobility and transportation through benefiting from the expertise of the advanced countries and cities. RTA has opted to select Paris in recognition of the global repute enjoyed by RATP which employs about 45,000 employees, drivers and workers, and on the basis of its extensive experience in the field of transport. RATP manages all public transport means in Paris and suburban areas comprising 14 metro lines, 3 district trains, 3 tram lines and thousands of buses with an annual turnover equivalent to 23 billion dirham.”
Al Tayer also stated that RTA attached paramount importance to the requirements of transport, roads and traffic planning in Dubai Emirate with the aim of providing safe and smooth transport for all and realizing the vision as well as the vital interests of the Emirate.
For his part, H.E. Pierre Mongin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RATP, welcomed the cooperation with the RTA and expressed his hope that this MoU would step up the mutual cooperation and meet the intended objectives sought by both parties.
“The UAE had approved its capability to have been highly efficient in running the driverless metro side by side with the advanced countries like, France and Japan,” he said.
Mongin praised the mega projects undertaken by the RTA and cited examples of the Dubai Metro project and other projects pertaining to the construction of roads, bridges and upgrading mass transit systems such as buses and marine transit system and the introduction of the tram network. Mongin also added that RTA was moving on the right track in advocating the migration towards public transport systems.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RATP also expressed his delight with his visit to Dubai; which enjoys considerable tourist attractions, fine hospitability along with the economic, urban and commercial potentials and structure.
H.E. Al Tayer accompanied H.E. Pierre Mongin and the accompanying delegation in a tour on Dubai Metro starting from Khalid bin Al Waleed Station to Al Rashidiya Station during which he briefed the visitor on the Dubai Metro and its vital role in the daily travel of residents and visitors. “Since the start of operation on 9 September 2009 through the end of October this year, more than 36 million passengers have used the metro. Monthly ridership jumped from 1.8 million passengers in October 2009 to about 3.5 million passengers in October 2010,” stated Al Tayer.
Al Tayer also briefed the French delegation on the main Rail Operations Control Center at Al Rashidiya which controls the daily operation of the Dubai Metro service on the Red and Green Lines. The Center carries out control, supervision and monitoring of trains movement, communication systems, electrical transformers, and power feed for trains and metro stations. The tour also included other sections of the Center which is manned by highly qualified technical cadres attending to the implementation of rules and procedures introduced to ensure the safe operation of the trains, management of emergency cases, and taking right decisions to overcome difficulties. The Center also establishes communication between the metro passengers through communication systems on board the trains and the control room during emergency situations.
The Center also monitors trains traffic, provides & manages passenger information system, manages trains access to the track, controls trains operation and movement, and monitors the environmental control as well as the electrical grid and power supply systems to the rolling stock and stations. It also supervises the safety of equipment such as fire extinguishing and fighting systems, and ventilation systems of tunnels, stations and trains, and train air-conditioning systems, as well as the safety of doors, brakes and motors of each train.
