H.E Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), last evening (Tuesday, May 23, 2006) inaugurated the 12th Annual Meeting of the Dubai Transport Corporation, now known as the Public Transport Corporation. Following the recent decree No. 9 issued for 2006 by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Transport Corporation was integrated with the RTA.
The meeting which was held at Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa was attended by H.E Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of Public Transport Corporation and other Directors from the RTA.
H.E Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla said, "The integration of the corporation with the RTA is to facilitate the smooth functioning of the corporation and to help in providing an integrated transport network for the people of the Emirate. This integration will also provide a transport network that will support the rapidly increasing population and booming business activity in Dubai and position the emirate as one of the most advanced cities in the world especially with regard to transport infrastructure.”
"The corporation is stepping up its emiratisation efforts and is keen on providing employment to UAE nationals at all levels of the organisational structure. In line with this objective we have tied up with Tanmia,” he added.
The corporation has announced plans to develop a satellite system through which the entire fleet of taxis and their movements will be monitored. In addition, the satellite system will link 6,000 taxis from the corporation with other transport companies under the Public Transport Corporation. This system is designed to facilitate better time management of taxis and thus prevent traffic congestions.
"In line with our vision of providing safe and secure transport for all, we have recently introduced a new shared taxi service wherein passengers can share a taxi that would stop at different destinations along a pre-designated route, instead of carrying just a single passenger per trip. We have permitted Taxi Al Madina to allow on board up to seven passengers per trip," said Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla.
Around 16,000 fines were issued from 2004 to April last year for running taxis illegally. Seventy percent of the drivers fined have been denied sponsorship while 30 per cent of them were on visit visa.
During the annual meeting, a presentation was made highlighting the activities and achievements of the corporation. H.E Mattar Al Tayer and H.E. Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla honored the corporation’s former chairman and members of the board.
