Congress on public transport to discuss Doha metro
Published on Oct 17th, 2009 by internetcont in Press with
Source: www.gulf-times.com
The UITP (International Association of Public Transport) Second Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Congress starts in Doha on October 25, a senior official has said.
Mowasalat Director of Business Development Ahmed al-Ansari said that at least 300 delegates representing various transport companies, regulatory authorities, vehicle manufacturers, government departments, local civic bodies and planning forums would participate in the three-day meeting.
The UITP is an international forum with over 3,000 members representing different segments of the public transport industry. Qatar joined the Brussels-headquartered body in 2006, after the country introduced public transport buses in October 2005.
New members are expected to join the UITP at the Congress in Doha.
The official said most of the issues taken up at the Doha Congress would be those related to the Middle East countries.
Among the public transport bodies expected for the meeting are Ministry of Transport of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi Department of Tranport, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Tehran Urban and Suburban Railways, the Ministry of Interior of Morocco, Masshad Urban Rail Company of Iran, Sharjah Transport, Greater Amman Municipality, Tunis Transport Company, Ministry of Transport of Syria, Kuwait Overland Transport Union and Saudi Public Transport Company (Saptco).
Dubai is hosting the World UITP Congress in 2011.
One of the main issues to be debated at the Congress this year is the specification of public transport buses complying with international standards. The final draft on the issue is ready and will be presented at the Congress.
The need for a metro in Doha and possibility of a mass rapid transit would be discussed. Qatari Diar has evinced interest in developing a metro in Doha, said the official.
The sessions would feature discussions on the need for effective and long-lasting solutions to the city’s traffic snarls and similar situations faced by the main cities of the region, according to al-Ansari.
Along with Mowasalat, representatives of other bodies such as Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA), Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and other government run land development companies will participate in Qatar sessions.
UITP president Alain Flausch would be present at the three-day meeting. Flausch is currently the CEO of Brussels Transport Company, which has successfully introduced a number of innovations in its mass transit development.
New members are expected to join the UITP at the Congress in Doha.
The official said most of the issues taken up at the Doha Congress would be those related to the Middle East countries.
Among the public transport bodies expected for the meeting are Ministry of Transport of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi Department of Tranport, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Tehran Urban and Suburban Railways, the Ministry of Interior of Morocco, Masshad Urban Rail Company of Iran, Sharjah Transport, Greater Amman Municipality, Tunis Transport Company, Ministry of Transport of Syria, Kuwait Overland Transport Union and Saudi Public Transport Company (Saptco).
Dubai is hosting the World UITP Congress in 2011.
One of the main issues to be debated at the Congress this year is the specification of public transport buses complying with international standards. The final draft on the issue is ready and will be presented at the Congress.
The need for a metro in Doha and possibility of a mass rapid transit would be discussed. Qatari Diar has evinced interest in developing a metro in Doha, said the official.
The sessions would feature discussions on the need for effective and long-lasting solutions to the city’s traffic snarls and similar situations faced by the main cities of the region, according to al-Ansari.
Along with Mowasalat, representatives of other bodies such as Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA), Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and other government run land development companies will participate in Qatar sessions.
UITP president Alain Flausch would be present at the three-day meeting. Flausch is currently the CEO of Brussels Transport Company, which has successfully introduced a number of innovations in its mass transit development.
A major attraction of the Doha Congress is an exhibition, featuring 30 institutions, government departments, metro bodies and regulators, said al-Ansari.
