RTA extends bidding for Metro as response from businesses mounts

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced extension of the bidding period set for Dubai Metro Retail Outlets Leasing Project following huge response from companies operating in the UAE and request received for granting equitable chances to take part in this massive project.

Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim, CEO of RTA Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, said bidding for Dubai Metro Retail Outlets Project was set in motion on November 30, 2008, and the market response with the project was overwhelming.

"So far hundreds of companies applied for buying bidding documents and others asked for extra time to purchase the bidding documents due to the holiday season. These outlets span 47 stations along the Red and Green Lines of Dubai Metro Project which extend 75 km" he said.

Abdul Mohsen added: "The RTA opted to extend the deadline of the Tender from January 15 to January 22, 2009, to offer more opportunities to big companies to take part in this premier project. We hope all interested companies to have taken notice of this amendment and got a fair chance to submit their bids."

"The concept of Metro Retail Outlets is somewhat new to the Middle East and is one of the key aspects for which retailer will be looking forward to in 2009. The project will enhance the liveliness of Dubai City, boost the business and tourist drive and bring about a huge change in public lifestyle. Moreover, Metro lines are set to create a lot of new business opportunities in the retail market as statistics reveal that retail business is among the fastest growing sectors in Dubai, and total annual expenditure in this field is likely to hit unprecedented levels as high as Dh27.9 billion.

He said: "In addition to providing the city of Dubai with a new pattern of transport, Dubai Metro Project will also generate a new tier of consumers 'Shoppers in the Move'. The commuter might be interested in obtaining important items (such as daily meals, newspapers, magazines, and other items for personal use) before heading from the station or taking a metro ride. A waiting passenger might have a brief tour around the station and possibly find some eye-catching items. It is very much likely that such shopper will visit this shop again and become a regular customer, knowing that such customers will always be visiting these shops whenever they take a metro ride."

Mohsen said: "The Red and Green Lines of Dubai Metro combined will serve about 1.2 million commuters per day that is there will be a passenger traffic of about 27,000 commuters per hour in each line. Total number of commuters is set to hit 355 million per annum when the two lines operate in full swing."

"Dubai Metro will therefore account for 12 per cent of total trips in Dubai and the regular flow of passengers, along with the provision of the required products, will provide retailers with a stable income and far-reaching distribution; which will reinforce the pillars of business in Dubai. Even more, such human density rate is likely to rise with the growth of Dubai population to three million by 2017, and growth of passenger traffic to 15 million by 2010," he said.

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