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RTA to sell naming rights of six more metro stations
The RTA has so far earned up to Dh2 billion by selling naming rights at 13 Metro stations which cover 60 per cent of operation and maintenance costs.
- PUBLISHED: Tue 29 Apr 2014, 9:29 AM UPDATED: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 5:49 AM
Though the budget of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is expected to jump by 20 per cent in 2020, it is planning to earn more money from selling naming rights of Metro stations.
The RTA has so far earned up to Dh2 billion by selling naming rights at 13 Metro stations which cover 60 per cent of operation and maintenance costs.
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There are plans to cover 100 per cent of Metro maintenance and operation costs by selling naming rights of six more Metro stations for 10 years, against Dh30 to Dh40 million each. This was announced by Abdul Mohsin Younes, CEO Strategy & Corporate Governance, RTA, as part of a plenary session featuring the sustainable solution for public transport.
Addressing the audience on the second day of the Mena Transport Congress and Exhibition 2014, Younes said: “The RTA is planning to sell the 10-year naming rights of six more stations, against Dh30 to Dh40 million each as per location, to cover 100 per cent of operation and maintenance costs of all metro stations by 2017.”
Younes also said that the RTA is working on the 270km Etihad Rail, worth Dh40 billion, to identify possible locations for stations in Dubai to connect the emirate with the country’s national railway network. “Three have already been identified: Maktoum Airport, Dubai Land and Meydan,” he said.
Further in his speech, Younes said Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, the emirate is fully dedicated to build up a sustainable public transport network. “Dubai city may not be developed without a sustainable development of public transport in view of the emirate strategic plan 2020.”
Younes said though Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities worldwide, it has seen a significant drop in deaths. “To build up more sustainable roads, Dubai has spent $10 billion so far for building the latest transport systems that go with the increasing population and expansion everywhere.”
Elaborating, he said the public transport share of the general budget has been hiked from six per cent to 13 per cent, however, it is expected to be increased to 20 per cent in 2020.
Talking about the RTA future plans, Younes said they are planning to extend metro and bus routes to the venue of Expo 2020. “Dubai has adopted several mega roads and transport projects, on top of which is Dubai Metro,” he said. More public buses have also been operated and more routes have been created to meet the pressing demand, he noted.
Younes said they have established special tracks for bikes. “The electric power-run Dubai Tram, to start operation by the end of this year, is also a new addition to the expanding roads and transport network.” Dubai also launched a number of traffic safety campaigns for school students, bus and heavy truck drivers, and motorists to develop their traffic awareness, he added.
The fourth edition of the region’s biggest transport congress, being held under the vision ‘Grow your city with public transport’, was inaugurated on Sunday by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of dignitaries, senior officials, experts and executive directors locally, regionally and worldwide.
The four-day conference and exhibition sees the participation of 1,000 delegates hailing from 25 countries and 66 exhibitors from 16 countries. The event is expected to attract 3,000 visitors as well. The Congress started discussing a variety of issues on the growth of public transport sector spread across five plenary sessions, 14 breakout sessions, and four discussion panels featuring the participation of 80 speakers.
Following the landmark hosting of the 59th UITP World Congress in 2011, held for the first time outside Europe, UITP signed a strategic 10-year partnership agreement with the RTA to host biennial UITP Mena Congresses & Exhibitions in Dubai until 2024.
The RTA is also host to UITP’s Mena Centre for Transport Excellence, which is leading efforts to build regional capabilities in the public transport arena through research and development, training as well as knowledge programmes.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com