RTA moves to ensure Metro safety

Transport chiefs will intervene if the operator of the Dubai Metro fails to maintain high standards of health and safety.

This was revealed yesterday by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK's Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

The ORR will support the RTA's certification process for railways in Dubai, help to assess rail operations and establish a database for statistical and performance analysis.

The metro is due to start operation in September and will be handled by UK company Serco.

"Since RTA's inception, safety first has been the watchword for all the projects it has undertaken, particularly the Dubai Metro, which is one of its biggest and most sophisticated projects," said Al Tayer.

"If there is a shortfall from the responsibilities of the operator of the Dubai Metro, the RTA will have the right to intervene.

"Under Law No 17/2007, which established the RTA, the authority is tasked with the responsibility for the safety of all road, bus, taxi, marine and rail transport in all parts of the emirate of Dubai, including free zones."

Al Tayer said safety measures would be applied through four channels – the contractor, the consultant, the RTA's experts and Lloyds Company, the independent safety surveyor of the project.

Earlier in the day, the first trial run of a train from the Jebel Ali station to RTA's headquarters in Rashidiya was conducted.

Al Tayer signed the MoU with Allan Spence, the UK's Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways.

The document is intended to ensure the safety of staff and passengers and assist in the development and application of health and safety regulations.

RTA sources said details of the metro's fare structure would be announced soon.

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