The Year 2014 heralds qualitative projects in Dubai- Al Tayer

The Year 2014 heralds qualitative projects in Dubai- Al Tayer

Projects portfolio is highlighted by Dubai Water Canal, Al Ittihad Bridge

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) declared that that “2014 will be a year of challenges, as the RTA will embark on the implementation of the emirate’s largest ever qualitative projects, highlighted by the Dubai Water Canal project which will link the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf, passing through the heart of Dubai in a course extending three kilometers at a total cost of about two billion dirhams. Another mega project is Al Ittihad Bridge project, which is estimated to cost more than one billion dirhams, besides completing the Dubai Tram project, coaxing a quantum shift in Dubai’s public transport experience upon official operation in the fourth quarter of this year.”

A speech to this effect was delivered on the occasion of RTA’s 8^th anniversary held at the Meydan Hotel in the presence of RTA’s CEOs, directors and employees.

“RTA’s achievements and successes over the past years is the fruitful outcome of the directives, unlimited support and close follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council; and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council,” stated Al Tayer.

He noted that the past year saw the completion of many vital projects, most notably the opening of all intersections of Al Khail Road, costing 1.9 billion dirhams, Rashid Hospital Tunnels costing 722 million dirhams, World Trade Center bridges  at Zabeel costing 719 million dirhams, Widening & Improvement of Umm Suqeim Road, in addition to constructing many flyovers, launching a wide range of smart applications that enabled customers complete their transactions via smartphones, thus obviating the need to visit customer service centers.

RTA’s efforts were culminated by winning the lion's share in the key awards of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program, where the RTA won five awards in the program’s various categories, including the Key Award for its Express Metro Initiative in the best category according to a public vote. Accordingly the RTA had the honor of raising the Flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program at its headquarters for a full year. The RTA also won the Best Partnership with the Public Award for NOL Card Recharge Service, along with the Best Partnership with the Private Sector Award for the Renewal of Less Than Three-Year Old Vehicle Service, in addition to the Best Government Service for the Express Metro Initiative, and the Best Service via Smartphone for Wojhati Application.

At the end of his speech, Al Tayer praised the efforts put by all RTA’s employees over the past period, which enabled the RTA to beat challenges and make achievements.

At the end of the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA honoured RTA’s distinguished agencies and employees, where the Corporate Technical Support Services Sector, Licensing Agency, Traffic and Roads Agency, and Dubai Taxi Corporation won the Best Self-Assessment Agency Award.

At committees & teams level, the following were honoured: Projects Disputes and Contracts Committee, headed by Abdul Mohsen Younes, CEO  of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, the Higher Committee for following up the hosting of the MENA Congress & Exhibition 2014 headed by RTA Board Member Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla; the Higher Committee for Excellence in Government Performance, chaired by HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA; the Higher Committee for Governance of RTA’s Technological Systems, headed by Abdullah Al Madani, CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector; Property Sale and Rental Committee, headed by Saeed Al Murri, Director of Contracts and Procurement; RTA’s Safety Award Committee, headed by Ameer  Saleem, Director of Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning, RTA; Annual Stock Taking Committee for RTA’s Funds, headed by Abdullah Al Borai, Deputy Director of Internal Audit.

Al Tayer also honoured the winners of the Readers Club Initiative, where Maryam Al Murri and Khawla Al Baluchi came first. In the Category of RTA’s Coordinators with Strategic Partners, Uday Omar Al Disi, Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi, Ahmed Ali Al Kaabi, and Nasser Hamad Bu Shehab were honoured. In the Exemplary Director Category, Adel Al Nuaimi, Eisa Al Hashemi, Nasser Al Hajj, Hassan Al Mutawa, Ishaq Al Hashemi, Siraj Ismail, Hanan Bajash, and Shafiq Musa were honoured. In the Exemplary Employee Category, Marina Qarshooli, Rida Al Tuhami, Abdullah Al Dirie, Sumayya Abdul Rahim, Rajaee Abdel Jawwad, Al Anoud Yousef, Dr. Nader Al Santrisi, and Safiya Al Mahzari.

RTA Chairman of the Board Executive Director also honoured the Best Field Employees namely Yousef Abdullah Ali, Yousef Othman, Rashid Abdullah Al Humaidan, and Abdulsalam Ameer Bakhsh, Esam Ali Mohammed, Ali Syed Ahmed, Kanam Tanato Koreen, Saeed Ali Al Rais, Arif Mahmood Khan, Ali Hassan Fekry, Atta Allah Mohammed, Khalil Ibrahim Abdullah, Ameen Allah Khan Holdar, Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad, Mohammadi Khan Rasool, Asghar Jangeer Noor, Amjad Ali Khan, Jalal Ahmed Al Jasmi, and Abdullah Hasan Radwan.

Recognition also included the best Front Desk Employees (Customer Service) including Maryam Ali Al Qallaf, Aisha Mohammed Al Baluchi, Mahmoud Siddiq Al Hassan, and Zamzam Abdullah Ali, in addition to Khalil Al Saeed, who won the Most Thank You Card Receiver Award.

Al Tayer watches test run of Al-Sufouh Tram in France

Al Tayer watches test run of Al-Sufouh Tram in France

The Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has recently watched the technical test run of Al Sufouh Tram conducted on a 700 km-long test track in the facilities of Alstom Company in France. During the trial run, which was done at various speeds, tests were carried out covered the safety system, electric propulsion system of the tram coaches, braking system, sudden stop during emergency cases, ground power feed of the tram track, overhead power feed in the Depot, and doors operation mechanism.

The practice test was also watched by Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of Rail Agency; Abdul Rida Abu Al Hassan, Director of Rail Planning & Development Projects; Dr. Khalid Hamdi; Projects Advisor of the Chairman of the Board & Executive Director; Dr. Kamal Adeer, Systems Manager at the Rail Agency; Mohammed Amiri, Manager of Rail Coaches Maintenance; Ali Lootah, Senior Engineer; and a host of executives from Alstom.

“This test run is a milestone in the implementation of Al Sufouh Tramway Project; which is being planned, designed and constructed in conformity with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, calling for the provision of a sophisticated transit system to serve Jumeirah Beach Residence, Marina and Al Safouh neighborhoods,” said Al Tayer.

“The technical test run is intended to assess & verify the readiness of the tram and the functionality as well as the performance of all control systems at all conditions,” said Al Tayer adding that these test runs would continue till the tram is finally shipped. The validation of test results will cover a variety of aspects including the air-conditioning system, power feed & braking system, coupling of tram coaches, disconnection of power supply, rail surveillance & control system as well as the operational tests of the tram under normal and emergency conditions, he continued.
Al Tayer confirmed that the test was successful in every respect as the tram motion was smooth, and free from vibrations, noises or disturbance as it was fed by a ground power cable system stretching throughout the track. “Al Sufouh Tram system is considered the first of its kind outside Europe fed by ground power cables, with no catenary cables involved. Once the trams start arriving in Dubai next December, the RTA will commission other trial tests at the track site and these tests will roll on till the official launch of the tram service in November 2014,” remarked Al Tayer who was elated for the amount of work done culminating in the completion of the tram test.

Highlighting the Project, Al Tayer said: "Al Sufouh Tramway extends 14.6 km alongside Al Sufouh Road, and the initial Phase of the project envisages the construction of a 10.6 km-long track starting from the Dubai Marina and stretching up to the Tram Depot near the Dubai Police Academy. The Tram network comprises 17 passenger stations, 11 of which are covered under Phase I and spread across activity and population density areas along the tramway. The fleet comprises 11 trams in the initial phase, and 14 trams will be added in Phase II such that the total number of operating trams will be 25 trams. The tram is expected to lift about 27,000 riders per day at the start of operations in 2014, and the ridership is bound to pick up to hit 66,000 riders per day by 2020.

“Each tram measures 44 meters in length and has a capacity to accommodate about 300 riders. The Tram has a First Class (Gold Suite) and one cabin designated for ladies & children as well as a Silver Class cabin. The tram's carriages & stations will have deluxe interior finishing, and feature state-of-the-art technologies in the transmission and display of entertainment materials. In the stations, the passenger lounge will span 44 metres and is set to be equipped with Automatic Fare Collections systems.
“The tram track basically extends at-grade level along Al Sufouh Road but rises in an elevated section when passing across certain parts of the Dubai Marina for reasons dictated by urban structures of the locality. It links up with the Metro system at three stations along Sheikh Zayed Road via footbridges to ease the transit and transfer of passengers between the two modes. Al Sufouh Tram will also be linked with the Monorail of The Palm Jumeirah at the entrance of the Palm from Al Sufouh Road to facilitate passenger movement between districts served by both modes.

“Al Sufouh Tram is considered the world's first tramway project powered by a ground-based electric supply system extending along the track, thus obviating the need for catenary cables. It is also the world's first tramway that uses Platform Screen Doors in passenger stations fully aligned with the tram's doors opening and shutting mechanism, providing maximum convenience, safety and security for passengers, and at the same time protecting the quality of the air-conditioning in the interior of both stations and carriages from external climatic conditions,” said Al Tayer in a final comment.

Captions:
Al Tayer during the test run of Al Sufouh Tram

100 m riders used Dubai Metro since launched in Sept 2009

100 m riders used Dubai Metro since launched in Sept 2009

Al Tayer: Green Line accounts for 30% of metro riders

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced that the ridership of the Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines has touched new heights breaking the 100 million passengers barrier since the service was launched in September 2009 up to November 7th. The metro ridership has grown tremendously following the operation of the Green Line last September which now accounts for as much as 30 per cent of the total metro riders, he says. Al Tayer expected that the number of metro commuters to grow significantly in the near future with onset of the winter marked with several events such as the launch of the Dubai Shopping Festival, holding of expos & conferences and influx of tourists & visitors to Dubai Emirate.

Al Tayer expressed his delight with these positive indicators of growth in the number of passengers using the metro; which clearly show that RTA plan to augment the number of public transport users is moving in the right direction. The trend also reflects a change and evolution in the culture of the community towards public transit means and people started to feel the benefits & advantages of using mass transit modes including the psychological & physical relief in travelling light and smoothly while saving outlays on fuel & maintenance of vehicles, he noted.
"Since launched in September 2009 and up to the end of October last, the number of passengers using the Red Line has touched 94,330,908 passengers, and the number of passengers using the Green Line since operated on 09/09/2011 up to the end of October last clocked 3,660,544 passengers. The number of the metro riders on both the Red and Green Lines during the first seven days of November 2011 has exceeded 2 million passengers."

"The ridership of the Metro Red Line has grown steadily since opened in September 2009 jumping from 1.8 million in October 2009 to 4 million in October 2010 and went even higher to touch 5.482 million passengers in October 2011. The Union, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Deira City Center, Mall of the Emirates, Rigga and Rashidiya stations account for the lion share of the metro riders on the Red Line. The Union Station was used by 10,984,461 passengers while Khalid bin Al Waleed Station was also used by 10,545,440 passengers, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station (8,256,307 passengers), Deira City Center Station (8,006,000 passengers), Al Rigga Station (6,217,000 passengers), and Al Rashidiya Station (5,142,000 passengers).

"The ridership of the Metro Green Line has equally has equally picked up since the service was opened to the public on 10/09/2011 till the end of September last (20 days) from 1.277 million passengers to 2.383 million passengers i.e. it accounts for as much as 30 per cent of the total ridership of the Dubai Metro on the Red & Green Lines combined. Al Fihaidi Station accounted for the biggest share of passengers clocking 453,000 passengers, followed by Bani Yas Station which serves a heavily populated and commercial area hitting 440,000 passengers, then comes Al Ghubaiba Station which was used by 290,000 passengers, Oud Metha Station used by 283,000 passengers and Salah Uddin Station used by about 245,000 passengers."

Captions:
- Mattar Al Tayer
- Metro riderhip on the rise

Deputy Premier of Ukraine commends RTA's experience in completing Dubai Metro Project

Deputy Premier of Ukraine commends RTA's experience in completing Dubai Metro Project

The Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
His Excellency Kolesnikov Borys, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, praised the experience of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in completing the construction and operation of the Dubai Metro project in a record time besides upgrading the public transport systems and building an extensive network of roads & bridges to cater to the future needs of the Emirate.

"Accomplishing the Dubai Metro project, considering its length and number of stations, in less than 5 years exceeds what the Ukraine has achieved over 50 years!," commented Kolesnikov who he headed a senior Ukrainian delegation in a visit to the RTA where he was received by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

At the outset of the meeting, Al Tayer welcomed the Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine and the accompanying delegation which included a host of top metropolitan & regional municipal officials as well as city mayors in Ukraine. From the RTA also attended the CEO of Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim, CEO of Rail Agency Adnan Al Hammadi, and several directors.

Al Tayer gave the visiting Ukrainian delegation a glimpse about the Dubai Metro Project in which construction works started in July 2006. The project extends 75 km in both the Red and Green Lines and encompasses an elevated track stretching 58.7 km, and an underground track of 12.6 km in addition to a 3.3 km track at-grade on the Red Line only.
"The full journey on the Red Line takes 65 minutes, whereas it takes 35 minutes on the Green Line. Among the key design features of the Dubai Metro project is that it has a fully automated operation system, central air-conditioning system of passenger stations & attached footbridges, and auto doors to seclude passenger platforms from the rail track. The project features three maintenance & storage depots at Al Rashidiya, Al Qusais and Jebel Ali. Each train has a capacity to take 643 passengers and comprises two types of metro carriages; a Gold Class and Silver Class in addition to an exclusive compartment for women and children.

"There are 79 trains to run the service but currently 50 trains are deployed for the daily operations offering service at 4-6 minutes frequency (headway) during peak hours, and 6-8 minutes frequency during off-peak hours. The design capacity of the metro is about 26 thousand persons per hour per direction and headway of 90 seconds; however, the currently used capacity is in the order of 37%; which illustrates the potentials of the Dubai Metro to handle the projected passengers' growth in decades to come.
"The detailed designs and finishes of the metro stations & carriages have been meticulously carried out at deluxe standards. The metro stations feature a unique design combining modernity and grandeur of the UAE heritage. The exterior shape of station roofs emulates the shape of the shell; which depicts the close link of the UAE people with the sea & pearl diving legacy. The interior design features five different design themes; water, fire, air and earth in addition to a heritage-inspired design of Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba stations.

"Upon designing the Dubai Metro project, the RTA was keen on achieving multi-modal integration of various mass transit systems, and building three multi-level parking terminals connected to the metro stations at Al Qusais, Al Rashidiya and Nakheel Harbour & Tower which have a combined capacity of more than 8,000 vehicles. RTA also introduced the use of the unified fare card (Nol); an electronic fare system intended to ensure smooth mobility of all users of public transport systems spanning the Dubai Metro, public buses and the Water Bus as well as paid parking zones," added Al Tayer.
At the end of the meeting, H.E. Kolesnikov Borys, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine expressed his extreme admiration of the Dubai Metro and the affluent design of the metro stations & carriages; which contributed to attracting passengers from all spectrums of the community.

"The start of rail projects in Ukraine dates back to 50 years ago, and there are metro lines in three major cities but the government is currently constructing a metro system in a fourth city and 95% of metro tracks are underground. The visit aimed at benefiting from RTA's experience in constructing & operating the Dubai Metro, delivery of service to passengers and linking the metro stations with other transit modes as the Ukraine is braced for hosting The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship," he continued.
Finally, the two parties exchanged mementos where Al Tayer presented RTA trophy to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Caption:
Al Tayer receiving the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and accompanying delegation

RTA to open all bridges, tunnels of 1st Interchange on SZR end of next Jan

RTA to open all bridges, tunnels of 1st Interchange on SZR end of next Jan

Al Tayer: Opening the I/C marks the end of the final and 6th Phase of Ras Al Khor Roads Contract stretching 14 km

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the completion of all construction works at the 1st Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road; which will be opened for traffic by the end of January 2011. He added that by opening this vital interchange, RTA would finalize the 6th and final phase of Ras Al Khor Road Contracts; which extends more than 14 km from the Airport Tunnel northward terminating at the 1st Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road southward.

“The remaining works at the 1st Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road will be completed in four stages. RTA will open today (Wednesday) the main bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road ensuring traffic flow coming from the Financial Center Road (Upper and Lower Decks) heading towards Sheikh Zayed Road in the Abu Dhabi-bound direction, and also ensures the flow of traffic from Al Safa Road to Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi. Next Saturday, RTA will open the widening of Sheikh Zayed Road near Burj Khalifa in the direction of the Financial Center Road,” said Al Tayer.

“In the first half of next January, RTA will open the third stage of the Project ensuring free traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards the Dubai International Financial Center across Tunnel No 2, and also ensuring the flow of traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction from Dubai heading towards Al Safa Road, in addition to a free passage for traffic inbound from Sheikh Zayed Road heading towards the Financial Center Road (Lower Deck).
“The Final stage of the Project, which will be opened by the end of next January, RTA will open the main Tunnel No 1 parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road linking Al Satwa and Al Wasl areas passing underneath Al Safa Road.

“The 1st Interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road Project, which is one of the biggest interchanges undertaken by the RTA, comprises bridges extending more than 3 kms and tunnels measuring 850 meters, and the total cost of the Project, which is being constructed by the Italian Salini Co, is about 617 million dirham. The new Interchange will provide free traffic flow in all directions linking Sheikh Zayed Road and the Upper & Lower Decks of the Financial Center Road. It also includes the construction of a tunnel linking the road passing at the backside of Mazaya Center and the road passing at the backside of towers overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road, in addition to the widening of Al Safa Road and improving the intersections at the road in a sector extending up to Al Wasl Road.

“The importance of this Project is underlined by its vital location on Sheikh Zayed Road and in the vicinity of Burj Khalifa and the Financial Center districts. It links these districts with the main surrounding roads such as Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Center Road, and Al Safa Road; an area considered as the most congested and important zone on Sheikh Zayed Road due to its vicinity to key and vital areas of the Emirate in terms of tourist, economical and investment aspects,” added Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director hailed the efforts made by engineers of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency who supervised this project despite the huge difficulties and challenges confronting the progress of this project, while attending to the highest occupational safety standards throughout the work sites.

“These projects come in the context of RTA strategy to keep pace with the urbanization drive, meet the requirements of demographic growth as well as the current and projected expansion of roads and transportation networks. They mark the transition witnessed by the Emirate as a highly reputable cosmopolitan city and a global hub for tourists, visitors and business leaders from all over the world, besides its lofty reputation as a center for regional and international conventions & exhibitions; which warrants continuing with the development process and maintaining the appearance of the city in order to live up to its billing.

“RTA will continue the construction works of key and arterial roads in Dubai Emirate as part of integrated road widening projects under a strategy aimed at providing sophisticated services to residents and offering practical and universal solutions that ensure smooth traffic flow towards realization of RTA vision of providing Safe & Smooth Transport for All,” said Al Tayer in a final remark.

Photos:
- Mattar Al Tayer
- Layout of the project stages to be opened

RTA puts final touches on Green Line stations of Dubai Metro

RTA puts final touches on Green Line stations of Dubai Metro

The project is set to open as planned in August 2011

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that RTA had completed the construction works in most stations on the Green Line of the Dubai Metro, following the full completion of the 23-km long track extending along the Green Line. Completion rates in stations currently range from 55 to 100 percent in the finishing works, 65 to 85 percent in electromechanical works, and as high as 85% in the Park-and-Ride facilities at Al Qusais. He reiterated that work in the project is moving ahead on schedule and the project is set for opening in August 2010.

Al Tayer made these statements during an inspection tour of the work progress in the Green Line project of the Dubai Metro that took him to the Dubai Healthcare City, Al Ittihad, Al Ghubaiba, Al Ras, Al Qiyada, and Etisalat stations in addition to the multi-story car-parking building. Al Tayer was accompanied in the tour by the CEO of Rail Agency Adnan Al Hamadi, the Head of Follow-up Team of RTA Hosting UITP Congress 2011 in Dubai Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, and a number of directors and engineers supervising the project.

Al Tayer set off his tour by inspecting the Dubai Healthcare City station where construction works have reached an advanced stage as the internal finishing works have almost reached 55 per cent and electromechanical works are as high as 65 per cent. Al Tayer then inspected the work progress in Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba stations where construction and civil works have been fully completed and so are the metal structures and platform doors. Completion of the finishing works in the two stations ranges from 55 to 70 per cent, whereas the completion of electromechanical works ranges from 65 to 75 per cent.

The two stations feature heritage designs depicting the history and legacy of the UAE. The design concept revolves around employing the architectural traditional elements used in antique buildings, such as wind towers (Brajeel), oriels (Mashrabia), alleyways (Sukaik), internal arches and others through replicating them in an enhanced manner, while addressing the aesthetic and technical dimensions of those elements such that the heritage-inspired stations would match the traditional Souks in the locality, look like a natural extension of the Heritage & Diving Village, and fit well with the antique control towers currently seen in the area.
Al Tayer then inspected the work progress in Al Ittihad Station; one of the stations in which the Red & Green Lines intersect and considered the world’s biggest metro station spanning an area of 25,000 square meters with a capacity to handle about 22,000 passengers per hour. The Station, which consists of two levels, extends 230 meters in length, 50 meters in width, and 18 meters in depth. It houses commercial & service outlets for serving metro users, and has two entry points equipped with lifts & escalators. Four tunnels branch out of the Station bound to Khalid bin Al Waleed & Al Rigga Stations on the Red Line, and Bani Yas & Salah Uddin Stations on the Green Line. Al Tayer attended to a briefing about the work progress in the station, where the contractor has completed all concrete works, and metal structures of platform screen doors and the completion rate has reached 70 per cent in the internal finishing works, and 85 per cent in the electromechanical works.
Al Tayer went about his tour to visit Al Qiyadah Station along Al Ittihad Road near the Dubai Police General HQ; one of the elevated stations of the Green Line that has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour in each direction with dimensions measuring about 130 m in length and 30 m in width. It has two ingress points fitted with escalators and lifts and the completion rate has reached 90 per cent in the construction works, 70 per cent in the finishing works and 75 per cent in the electromechanical works.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director concluded his tour by visiting Etisalat Station; the starting point of the Green Line where the Contractor has finalized all concrete works, metal structures of the station and the platform doors. Completion rate has reached 70 per cent in the finishing works, and 75% in the electromechanical works. He also inspected the multi-level Park-and-Ride facility where the completion rate in the parking lot, surrounding roads, bus station and footbridges is nearing 88 per cent. Al Tayer toured the building which has a capacity to house 2350 vehicles and meant to encourage the public to use the metro in their mobility across Dubai Emirate. The building has been designed to provide ample space for feeder buses of the station, ensure smooth traffic flow and accommodate huge number of buses at a time. It is also fitted with footbridges linking up with the opposite side of the road to ensure easy and safe access to the metro station, while providing the standard safety measures for passenger movement in the building.

At the end of the tour Al Tayer expressed his delight with the work progress in various locations of the project, and commended the efforts of all personnel working tirelessly to accomplish the project. However, he called on the contracting company to commit more efforts to ensure the opening of all stations on time.

Photo captions:
 Al Tayer attending to a briefing about the work progress in the Green Line Stations
 Huge progress made in the Green Line works

Dubai Metro ridership hits 23m passengers since Sept ’09: Al Tayer

Dubai Metro ridership hits 23m passengers since Sept ’09: Al Tayer

 130k passengers used the metro on July 1st
 212% rise in the daily ridership of the metro
 185% growth in the number of passengers from October 09 to June 10

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority, revealed the Dubai Metro ridership broke the barrier of 23 million passengers since the launch of the service on 09/09/09 up to the first of week of July 2010. Al Tayer also stated that the daily ridership of the Metro has reached a new height on Thursday 01 July 2010 clocking 130,529 passengers.

Al Tayer expressed his delight with these statistics which demonstrate that RTA plan to increase mass transport ridership is moving on the right track, and also reflect a transition, though small, in the culture of the community towards using mass transit systems. “People have started to perceive the benefits and advantages of using of public transport such as the psychological & physical comfort in transit, and reduced fuel & vehicle maintenance costs besides the contribution of using public transport to effectively cutting road accident mortalities, and reducing carbon emissions from vehicle exhausts,” he stated.

“The number of metro users is steadily on the rise since the launch of the service on 09 September 2009 with ridership jumping from 1.8 million passengers in October 2009 to 3.3 million passengers in June 2010 recording in the process an increase rate as high as 185 per cent. In September 2009 the number of metro commuters clocked 1,196,920 passengers and the following month saw an increase in the ridership to 1,767,879 passengers. Metro ridership broke the two million passengers barrier in December 2009 and the number kept rising to reach 3,193,087 passengers in May 2010 and touched a higher point last June by clocking 3,262,912 passengers,” continued Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board & Executive Director further added that the daily ridership of the Dubai Metro jumped from 54,683 passengers in October 2009 to 116,340 passengers last June, recording a 212 per cent rise. July 2010 recorded an all-time high figure in the daily metro ridership as the first day of this month (Thursday) clocked 130,529 passengers. This sustained growth in the metro ridership is attributed to the vibrant nature of Dubai city; which has become a summer tourist destination, thanks to the Dubai Summer Festival and the promotional offers made by hotels & malls, making it a tourist attraction point.

Commenting on passenger breakdown per stations Al Tayer said: “Khalid bin Al Waleed Station is the busiest station as the number of commuters who used the station since the start of the metro operation reached 3,145,210 passengers, followed by Mall of the Emirates Station (3,059,069 passengers), Al Ittihad Station (2,989,879 passengers), Deira City Center Station (2,102,484 passengers), and Al Rashidiya Station (1,829,653 passengers).

“The number of commuters who used the ten new metro stations of which seven have been opened by the end of April and three opened on May 15, witnessed a healthy growth of about two million passengers. Ibn Battuta Station ranked first in the number of users clocking 466,554 passengers, followed by Al Karama Station (276,817 passengers), Dubai Marina Station (231,663 passengers), Emirates Towers Station (211,262 passengers), Emirates Airlines Station (150,670 passengers), Dubai Internet City Station (149,549 passengers), Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport Station (116,000 passengers), Noor Islamic Bank Station (114,581 passengers), Dubai World Trade Center Station (98,805 passengers ), and GGICO Station (93,058 passengers).
In its strategic plan; which is aligned with the Dubai Strategic Plan (Infrastructure Sector), RTA has set top priority to the integration of multi-modal mass transit systems in the emirate; including public buses, Dubai Metro and marine transport modes spanning abra, water bus and water taxi; which has recently been inaugurated recently. Over the next phase, RTA will seek to disseminate the culture of mass transit modes and encourage community members to use them in their daily travels.

“The huge investments pumped by the Government of Dubai to uplift the infrastructure of transportation sector has paid dividends and proved effective. The growth in the number of mass transit mode users reflects a shift in the culture of using public transport by all segments of the community and the drive was particularly helped by the metro service. RTA public transport means, including the Dubai Metro, public buses, water transport and taxis, have lifted more than 288.777 million passengers in 2009 and the daily ridership of mass transit modes topped 842k passengers. This number is likely to grow with the opening of the remaining stations on the Red Line. Dubai Metro is expected to lift about 35 million passengers in 2010, and the number of metro users is expected to pick up sharply with the operation of the Green Line in August 2011 as this line serves vital areas with commercial activities, government offices and high population density,” said Al Tayer in a final remark.

Photo captions:
- Mattar Al Tayer
- Graphic representation of the monthly number of users
- Graphic representation of the daily metro ridership in June
- Dubai Metro ridership on the rise.

Construction works in several stations of Dubai Metro Green Line completed – Al Tayer

Construction works in several stations of Dubai Metro Green Line completed – Al Tayer

Completion rate of stations’ interior finishing works ranges from 10 to 100 per cent

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that construction works in most stations of the Dubai Metro Green Line have been completed, while the completion of stations’ interior finishing works varies from 10 to 100 per cent. Al Tayer revealed that completion rate of Al Qusais Park-and-Ride facility has hit 75 per cent, and confirmed that the project is progressing on schedule towards the planned project opening in August 2011.

The above statement was made during an inspection tour made by Al Tayer of the Dubai Metro Green Line project that took him to the Metro Depot at Al Qusais, Rail Operation Control Center, and the multi-story car park, as well as Etisalat, Al Ittihad, Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba stations.

During the tour, Al Tayer was flanked by the CEO of Rail Agency Adnan Al Hamadi, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency Maitha bin Udai, Board Member and Head of the Team following up the Hosting of the UITP Congress 2011 in Dubai Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Acting CEO of Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector Yousef Jawad Al Rida, and several directors & engineers supervising the project.

Al Tayer set off his tour by inspecting the metro Depot at Al Qusais; a garage constructed for the maintenance & cleaning of the metro carriages, and is fitted with air-conditioners & advanced firefighting systems. It comprises a parking area for train carriages and has a capacity to house 60 trains at a time. It includes Rail Systems Operations Control Center; which ensures the safety of doors, brakes and engines, as well as the air-conditioning systems and other sophisticated electronic sub systems of each train separately. It also contains workshops for carrying out maintenance works, and dedicated workshops for washing and cleaning of train carriages.

Al Tayer inspected the work progress in Rail Systems Operations Control Center; where the contracting company is making the final touches at the Center. Completion rate of the metal structures and external cladding works have almost reached 99%, and the interior finishing works topped 56%. The Center is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies enabling full control of the daily metro operation on both the Red and Green Lines. The Center also provides control, supervision and monitoring of trains traffic & systems through supervising the functionality of the auto train movement and related systems such as the communication systems, electrical transformers, and power feed system for both the rolling stock and the metro stations. It also enables supervision of safety systems such as fire-fighting systems along with ventilation systems in tunnels, stations & trains. The Center also monitors rail air-conditioning systems, and the safety of doors, brakes and engines of each train. It also acts as a point of communication with rail commuters in the event of emergency using the communication systems on board the carriages and the Control Room.

Al Tayer reviewed the work progress in the multi-level Park-and-Ride facility where the completion rate in the parking lot, surrounding roads, bus station and footbridges is nearing 75 per cent. Al Tayer toured the building which has a capacity to house 2350 vehicles and meant to encourage the public to use the metro in their mobility across Dubai Emirate. The building has been designed to provide ample space for feeder buses, ensure smooth traffic flow and accommodate huge numbers of buses at a time. It is also fitted with footbridges linking up with the opposite side of the road to ensure easy and safe access to the metro station, while providing the standard safety measures for passenger movement in the building.
Al Tayer continued his site tour by inspecting the work progress at Etisalat Station; the starting point of the Green Line of Dubai Metro, where the contractor has completed all concrete works, metal structures and platform doors of the station, whereas the completion rate in the external cladding works of the roof reached 63%. The station, which has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction, measures 130 x 30 meters, and has two entries fitted with escalators and lifts.

Al Tayer then inspected the work progress in Al Ittihad Station; a key transfer stations where the Green and Red Lines meet. The station is considered the world’s biggest metro station spanning an area of 25,000 square meters and has a capacity to handle 22,000 passengers per hour. The Station consists of two levels, extends 230 meters in length and 50 meters in width, and 18 meters in depth. It houses commercial & service outlets for metro users, and has two entry points equipped with lifts & escalators. Four tunnels branch out of the Station bound to Khalid bin Al Waleed & Al Rigga Stations on the Red Line, and Bani Yas & Salah Uddin Stations on the Green Line. Al Tayer attended to a briefing about the work progress in the station, where the contractor has completed concrete works, and metal structures of platform screen doors, as well as interior finishing works, and is currently finalizing electrical and mechanical works.

Al Tayer then inspected the progress of work at Al Ras & Al Ghubaiba Stations; where all construction & civil works have been accomplished and so are the metal structure works in the platforms of the two stations. Completion rate of the interior finishing works exceed 10%. The two stations feature heritage designs depicting the history and legacy of the UAE. The theme of the design revolves around employing the architectural traditional elements used in antique buildings, such as wind towers (Brajeel), oriels (Mashrabia), alleyways (Sukaik), internal arches and others through replicating them in an enhanced manner, while addressing the aesthetic and technical dimensions of those elements such that the heritage-inspired stations would match the traditional Souks in the locality and look like a natural extension of the Heritage & Diving Village, and fit well with the antique control towers currently seen in the area.

At the conclusion of his tour Al Tayer expressed his delight with the work progress in various locations of the project, and commended the efforts of all personnel working tirelessly to accomplish the project. However, he called on the contracting company to commit more efforts to ensure the opening of all stations on time.


Photo captions:
 Al Tayer inspecting the work progress in the metro depot at Al Qusais
 Al Tayer attending to a briefing about the work progress in the Green Line Stations
 Good progress made in the Green Line works
 Metro Depot at Al Qusais

RTA opens bridges leading to entry & exit points of Rashidiya Metro station on 15 July

RTA opens bridges leading to entry & exit points of Rashidiya Metro station on 15 July


Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that all bridges leading to the entry and exit points of the Park-and-Ride facilities of Rashidiya Metro Station will be opened on 15 July 2010, as the Contractor is currently making the final touches in preparation for the opening of the bridges.

“The final stage of the project includes opening of 10 bridges with a total length of 1500 meters and roads stretching 2500 meters. These bridges ensure free traffic movements along Emirates Road for traffic inbound from Abu Dhabi towards the Parking of the Metro Station. The project also includes improvements at the juncture of Emirates Road and Al Khawaneej Road to streamline traffic flow inbound from Airport Road towards Al Qusais and Sharjah, as well as traffic inbound from Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali towards Al Khawaneej Road,” said Al Tayer.

He added: “RTA had already opened Phase I of the project whose cost is estimated as 699 million dirham on 09/09/2009 to coincide with the launch of the Dubai Metro. Phase I comprised the construction of free turns connecting with Emirates Road and Airport Road, in addition to two bridges on Al Khawaneej Road to ease the traffic flow from and to the Parking of Rashidiya Metro Station, which has a capacity to house 2750 vehicles. Phase I also provided entries to the Metro Station on two levels for the traffic incoming from Sharjah with a total length of 1000 meters. Such bridges cross Al Khawaneej Road in the direction leading to the Airport Road.
“Constructing the bridges leading to the entry & exit points of Rashidiya Metro Station reflects RTA attention to upgrade the efficiency of roads network, ensure better flow of vehicular movement, and link the Park-and-Ride facilities of the metro stations with roads network in Dubai Emirate, thus encourage more people to use public transport modes.

“Rashidiya Metro Station is one of the key metro stations as it is the starting point of the Red Line of Dubai Metro. It spans an area of 130 X 30 meters and has a capacity to handle 11,000 passengers per hour per direction. The Station has two entry points fitted with elevators and lifts to ease the smooth entry and exit of passengers from and to the station. The Station has a huge park-and-ride facility capable of accommodating 2750 vehicles with the aim of enticing the public to use the metro in their travel within Dubai. The ground level is dedicated to public buses which provide feeder service to the metro stations. Therefore it has been custom-built to accommodate articulated & double-deck buses, and ensure smooth traffic of a large number of buses at a time. The parking lot is linked with footbridges connecting with the opposite side of the road leading to the metro station such that the time spent from the farthest point in a which a vehicle may be parked to the entrance of the station will not exceed 3 minutes. All required safety precautions are well in place inside the parking facility,” elaborated Al Tayer.

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director concluded his remarks saying: “RTA will continue with the construction works on several main and arterial road projects in Dubai to ensure integrated transit systems in the context of its strategy to provide advanced services to all residents, and provide comprehensive solutions ensuring seamless traffic flow in keeping with its vision of providing Safe & Smooth Transport for All across the Emirate.

Captions:
• Mattar Al Tayer
• Layout of bridges leading to Rashidiya Metro Station Project