DUBAI: Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), met with a delegation from the State of Ohio, USA. The delegation was led by Blake Ethridge, Chairman of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen relations and collaboration between the RTA and its American counterparts in various areas, such as mass transport, roads, integrated and user-friendly mobility applications, connected and real-time mobility systems, and autonomous transport.
During the meeting, Al Tayer discussed RTA’s best practices in public transport, modern and sustainable transport systems, and the expansion of current and future mobility services. The delegation expressed their aspiration to collaborate with RTA to realise the visions of the Dubai Government and the State of Ohio, aiming to transform them into international hubs for entrepreneurship and tourism and positioning them among the b
est global living destinations.
Mattar Al Tayer and Blake Ethridge witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the RTA and SORTA. The MoU calls for enhancing cooperation, supporting the strategic partnership, and making concerted efforts to deliver outstanding public transport services, which will positively reflect on various economic and social sectors in both countries.
The MoU was signed on behalf of RTA by Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and on behalf of SORTA by Darryl Healy, CEO and General Manager, in the presence of several officials from both sides.
It includes embedding a culture of joint efforts to enhance performance, facilitate transactions, develop customer service, and maintain communication between the two parties to achieve their common interests, serving both Dubai and Ohio. The MoU also calls for exchanging technical knowledge and expertise at various levels, along with sharing information and studies related to the main and specialised tasks be
neficial to both parties.
“Over the next phase, we will explore opportunities to develop public transport, primarily focusing on transport technology and innovation, the integration of transport systems and network design, outsourcing bus services, engaging the private sector, and sharing knowledge and best practices in planning and designing of bus stops and facilities. The two parties will also explore mutual benefits from advanced public transport planning methods and the use of modern software,” Al Tayer commented.
‘The objectives of the strategic partnership with SORTA align with RTA’s vision as The World Leader in Seamless and Sustainable Mobility. The MoU will unify shared interests and opportunities in areas such as electric buses, hydrogen buses, rapid transit buses, dedicated lanes, and other bus priority systems,’ he further added.
‘We have been able to drive considerable ridership growth and transit-related infrastructure investment that has resulted in our Midwestern city seeing record rider
ship recovery and growth well above our peers. This exciting collaboration with Dubai’s RTA, a globally renowned system with an internal reputation for innovation and transformation, marks a new dawn of transit partnerships that reach across the globe,’ Ethridge said.
Source: Emirates News Agency