Hamdan awards top entries for best transport practices

Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, yesterday honoured the winning departments and organisations at the first edition of Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (Dast) 2008.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had launched the award in 2007, in which government, semi-government and private entities in Dubai were invited to apply for the award through submitting optimum solutions and practices to develop and expand sustainable transport in the emirate.

Hybrid vehicles

The initiative is also meant to urge the public and the private sectors to contribute in easing traffic congestions and preserving the environment. The award, which is the first of its kind in the region, was divided into three categories, namely Management and Streamlining of Mobility Operations, Transport Safety, and Conservation of Environment.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said despite the recent launch of the award, the number of participants exceeded 26 applications spanning across a wide range of successful practices. These included transporting employees by buses, implementation of mobility management plans, increasing the reliance on mass transport modes and advocating the use of natural gas and hybrid vehicles.

Achievement

Dubai Police General Headquarter won the first position in Management and Streamlining of Mobility Category for its initiative to commute 25 per cent of its employees by public buses.

Burjuman Shopping Centre came in second for its initiative to provide bus transport for 80 per cent of its employees, introduce parking control system to ensure optimum utilisation of parking space, and open-up an entrance to the mall from the neighbouring Dubai Metro Station at Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road.

The third position went to Aramex Company for its role in transporting postal parcels through marine transport modes operating on Dubai Creek.

In Transport Safety Category, Emirates Transport Foundation bagged the first position for its initiative to launch "Safety of Student Transport" Campaign to boost traffic awareness of students, guardians and drivers.

In Conserving the Environment Category, S. S. Lootah Company was the winner for its initiative to use eco-friendly vehicles.