UAE | Traffic and Transport
Dubai transport authority leads way to growth
All major infrastructure projects on course despite global downturn
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 00:00 August 20, 2009
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
- RTA's chief said all major transport infrastructure projects in future would be private-public partnerships.
Dubai: Authorities in Dubai have not abandoned any infrastructure development projects for they believe the projects will help accelerate economic growth, a top official said.
"We will continue to develop all our transport infrastructure projects.
"There is no change in our policies because of the international economic downturn, thanks to the full support and wisdom of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News leading up to the launch of the Dubai Metro on September 9, Al Tayer said the RTA has not dumped any of its projects launched to provide an integrated public transport system and to ease traffic congestion in the city.
"Dubai Metro and other projects are for generations to come," he added.
Al Tayer, however, said that the RTA has reviewed the scope of its projects to set priorities to match the changing growth trends in Dubai.
"We believe that the RTA's projects will help accelerate the recovery of Dubai's economy.
"Earlier, we were building our projects in and around the new developments to match the growing transport needs of the city but now we are building our projects to attract new developments around them to give a big boost to the economy," Al Tayer said while revealing the RTA's new strategic plan.
Click here for an exclusive look at the Dubai Metro stations
He said all major transport infrastructure projects in future would be private-public partnerships (PPP).
"We are working with international consultants and are studying the best international practices to launch the PPP concept, especially for building the future metro lines and running public buses.
Al Tayer said the RTA is now working on its financial strategic plan to become a self-supporting authority.
"Currently, some 75 per cent of funding comes from the Dubai Government while 25 per cent of revenue is generated through various RTA services," he said. The RTA has projects worth Dh75 billion until 2020.
"The RTA will hopefully reach the break-even point after three years and will become an independent self-funding authority in the future," he added.
Al Tayer said the Dubai Metro is the backbone of the RTA's strategic mass transport plans in the emirate to solve traffic congestion and provide alternate modes of commuting.
"In order to ensure a smooth ride for Metro users, the efficiency of public buses will be improved ... following one of the world's best transport systems, in Singapore," he said.
Al Tayer ensured commuters that the Metro will be the safest mode of transport in the city.
"We are using the world's most advanced, leading state of the art technology system," he said.
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