Al Tayer briefs Russian delegation on RTA experience in road projects, mass transit systems

DUBAI: Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has received in his office a visiting delegation of the Russian Republic headed by Maxim Ristnikov, Mayor of the city of Perm.

They discussed ways of boosting bilateral cooperation and reviewed the model of RTA in sourcing finance for roads and public transport projects, among other issues.

Al Tayer welcomed the Mayor and his accompanying delegation, reviewed the history of the RTA, and explained the efforts to leverage public transport systems with the aim of making them the first choice for moving around in the Emirate.

He noted that the RTA hoped to raise the share of public transport in the movement of people to as much as 20 percent by 2020. "The share of public transport means (metro, tram, buses, and marine transport) has risen from 6 percent in 2006 to 16 percent in 2016. If we add taxis, the share of public transport will jump to 24 percent," noted Al Tayer.

"The RTA has undertaken a host of major public transport projects, highlighted by the Dubai Metro, the longest driverless metro network in the world spanning 75 km. It has also introduced the 11 km Dubai Tram, a fleet of more than 1500 public buses, a comprehensive marine transport system and taxis. Public transport services in Dubai currently carry about 1.5 million passengers per day.

"The RTA uses cutting-edge technology in operating public transport systems such as the unified NOL card used in public transport means, namely the metro, buses and water transport. It is also embarking on a drive for migrating to smart services," added Al Tayer.

Ristnikov praised the RTA’s corporate model and organisational chart; which offers flexibility and efficiency in accelerating the delivery of the infrastructure for roads as well as the metro and tram projects.

He also praised the quality of mass transit systems and the integration of various transit modes. He added that he would be looking forward to more cooperation and exchanging of expertise. He mulled the possibility of holding workshops in planning, constructing and operating transport systems, and upgrading the infrastructure of roads and public transport network.