UAE | Traffic and Transport

UK agency to help ensure metro passenger safety

Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in United Kingdom will provide support to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to ensure safety of public, passengers and staff of the Dubai Metro system - set to start on September 9.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 23:11 February 9, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Residents and motorists were surprised and excited to see a Dubai Metro train being tested on a track running beside Shaikh Zayed Road next to Dubai's iconic Burj Dubaiand Emirates Towers.
  • Image Credit: Sankha Kar/Xpress
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Dubai: Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in United Kingdom will provide support to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to ensure safety of public, passengers and staff of the Dubai Metro system - set to start on September 9.

"The ORR will attend to certification and regulations of the railways network to ensure all safety aspects of the Dubai Metro operation," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ORR officials in Dubai on Monday.

Al Tayer said the ORR would provide support for two years including training of the RTA staff to enable them monitor the metro operation.

"The MoU comes in line with our plans to cover all aspects of safety for our metro operation, which is one of the most sophisticated driverless systems in the world," said Al Tayer.

Safety is ensured at the levels of contractors, consultants and of Safety Regulations and Planning Department at the RTA.

"The ORR will be top of all these as it will support us to get accreditation by international certification bodies for the design, construction and operation of the metro system in the city," said Al Tayer.

The ORR will also support the RTA in developing and implementing health and safety regulation of railways in Dubai including powers for inspection and enforcement.

The RTA is building the 74.6km-long metro network comprising the Red and Green Lines at a cost of Dh15.5 billion. The 52.1km Red Line will become operational on September 9 this year while the Green Line will be launched in March next year.

Allan Spence, Deputy Chief Inspector of Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate in the UK, said ORR would try to align the various processes of the Dubai Metro project with international standards and specifications.

"We will use our over 150 years of expertise of railway safety to ensure safe operation of Dubai Metro," he said.

Spence said that ORR would also train the RTA staff to monitor the operators to ensure all safety procedures are followed.

Serco Middle East, a UK-based company, has already been given the contract to operate and maintain Dubai Metro for the first ten years.


Your comments


We all know that service will be excellent. Only factor that I am worried about is the fare. Everyone wants to know
Anwar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 10, 2009, 13:41

This project will be very beneficial for UAE residents. As there are a lot of traffic congestion in the city, this metro will help travellers reach their destinations quickly and cheaply.
Syed Yasir Aziz
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: February 10, 2009, 13:14

It's very exciting to read about the metro being on the track in Dubai. When this project started I was in Dubai on employment and I was very enthusiastic to travel on it after it starts. Now I shifted to Singapore... But I will definately make a trip to Dubai to fulfill my dream. Hats off to one and all who served in achieving this. I Love Dubai
Rama Krishna
Mc Phersen,Singapore
Posted: February 10, 2009, 13:06

Congratulate to all the companies and workers who have been worked on this project. The Dubai Metro will help in reducing traffic congestion. It will save time for the commuters. All travellers, whether they travel by bus, or car will take coll breath after its launch. I say a million thanks to the RTA.
Shaikh Mohammad Ayyub
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 10, 2009, 11:28

I was very much excited to watch Dubai Metro Train on its track being a small contributor of the construction team of Dubai Metro Project. Yesterday I was cheered when I saw the Train's test ride passing through Shaikh Zayed Road and felt on the top of the world that my little contribution has finally shaped up into a successful event.I would like to congratulate all the workers involved in this project for their hard work round the clock to facilitate the residents in nearby future when the Train will be on track finally for the services. May God bless all the workers. Hats off to them.
Shahab Ahmad Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 10, 2009, 08:08

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