Roads & Transport Authority - News Details

A plenary session on the opening day of the UITP MENA Congress and Exhibition entitled “Greener Transport for Healthier Cities” drew considerable attention due to the widespread recognition of the need for clean, sustainable, and eco-friendly transportation solutions among a broad array of experts, specialists, and policymakers worldwide. 

There was a consensus among attendees on the need to transform transportation towards greener and healthier cities to ensure the well-being and happiness of urban populations.

Distinguished figures took part in the session included Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency - RTA, H.E. Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director General, Integrated Transport Centre - Abu Dhabi, Arrigo Giana, Chief Executive Officer - Azienda Trasporti Milanesi Group Milan, Italy, Abdeljabbar Ben Salem, Senior Vice President Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia Business Unit, RATP Dev, Dubai, UAE and Dan Pettersson, Senior Vice President Business Unit International, Volvo Bus Corporation, Göteborg,Sweden. Ms. Lindsey Mancini, Senior Director , Events and Academy Services  Department, UITP Brussels, Belgium, served as the moderator for this session.

"Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is actively moving towards adopting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions powered by electric energy, such as buses, taxis, and private vehicles. We are in the advanced stages of securing contracts for electric buses. This is in addition to our existing electric-powered metro and trams, as well as our initiatives with autonomous electric cruise vehicles and electric aerial taxis. Our goal is for Dubai to set a benchmark not just for regional cities but for global metropolises as well," commented Bahrozyan.

"Public transport is no longer just for those on a limited income; it has evolved into a viable choice for everyone. This shift is due to its affordability, safety, and comfort. Therefore, we must continue our efforts to migrate to sustainable and eco-friendly public transport systems. The media, particularly social media, has been instrumental in drawing people to use public transport almost daily," commented Abdullah Al Marzouqi.

Arrigo Gianna said, "Mass transportation is widely acknowledged for its efficiency and speed in facilitating daily commutes within and between cities. It's crucial that we need to encourage a broad segment of the population to use mass transit means and at the same time step up our efforts towards making these means sustainable and environmentally friendly."

Dan Peterson said, "For a successful green transition in transportation, sustainability must be at the forefront of our priorities. This encompasses not just safety and quality but also the integration of cutting-edge technologies and the careful consideration of data from various stakeholders, all of which contribute to achieving this essential transformation."

Abdeljabbar Ben Salem remarked, "The push for sustainability should extend beyond just adopting green transportation means to include most operations and services, which form an integral part of the public transport operations such as reusing water used in cleaning purposes of public transport means for the benefit of the environment."

Concluding the session, the speakers recommended that greener public transport drives should be based on clear, ambitious, and well-defined plans and strategies to achieve sustainability goals. The adoption of this direction will also support the drive to advancing towards zero neutrality and minimising the carbon footprint, thereby fostering a healthier environment for inhabitants of rapidly expanding global cities.