RTA screens views, requirements of tenants of Dubai Metro outlets

RTA screens views, requirements of tenants of Dubai Metro outlets

Roads & Transport Authority – Manal Khalid:
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently held an open house for tenants of the Dubai Metro outlets to probe their views and positive suggestions made in a bid to bring about further improvements.

The gathering was held in RTA head office in the presence of Abdullah Al Madani, CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector; Saeed Al Murri, Director of Contracts & Procurement; and Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Rail Operation, Abdullah Yousef Al Ali Director of Commercial & Investment. in addition to several other RTA officials.

Al Madani reiterated RTA’s attention to boost the bilateral relations and foster joint cooperation with all customers in different sectors; considering them strategic partners teaming with RTA in realizing its vision of Safe & Smooth Transport for All. “These gatherings have immense contribution to the advancements & progress made, and uplifting the standing of Dubai as a premier business & economic hub in the region,” he said.

During the gathering, a visual presentation was made to showcase the high profile & pioneering achievements made by the RTA over the past years; which compare well with those in the advanced countries. Such achievements span various fields highlighted by the phenomenal expansion of mass transit systems, particularly the metro, where the ridership during the first half of this year saw massive increase compared to the previous two years as the number of commuters in both the Red & Green Lines from Jan to June 2012 rocketed to 8,840,651 passengers.

The presentation also spotlighted the retail outlets in the metro stations set to be offered for rent shortly. It revealed that about 106 retail outlets will be available for rent in the Red Line stations, and 68 retail outlets in the Green Line stations. These outlets will have new service offering and distinctive activities for the Dubai Metro users, particularly as the selling of different merchandise will be permitted such as books, stationary, novelties, and gifts in addition to the operation of female beauty parlours, banks, electronics and other activities enabling tenants to choose the activity that suits them in a bid to attract more metro users and investments rendering it a meeting point for all community segments.
Afterwards, discussions opened between RTA officials and investors who underscored the importance of holding such gatherings regularly during the year in order to examine the best views and new concepts capable of enhancing the advancement and development drive. They also expressed the need for staging intensive educational campaigns to enlighten the public on the key outlets designated for taking (or not taking), foodstuffs in order to avoid offences and fines.

During the gathering, attendants expressed a variety of views; which will be given due consideration and study by a team of RTA Commercial Affairs Committee in order to come up with the best solutions and open up a specific communication channel with investors where dedicated employees will attend to receiving their requests and delivering them to the concerned officials, thus ensuring smooth business flow.