A delegation from the Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently visited Hong Kong to review the significance of property development around metro stations, and their impact on increasing the metro ridership.

The visit signals RTA’s keenness to seek support from international think tanks to enrich its own experiences, said a senior official.
 
Ibrahim Al Haddad, the director of RTA’s commercial affairs and investment, said: "RTA’s delegation had examined the model of MTR Company in financing its own projects through urban development, be it for residential or commercial purposes around metro stations."

"The delegation had also been briefed on MTR’s experience in preparing feasibility studies for building new metro lines, covering operational expenses by revenues generated from metro service, property development projects, shopping centers, shops rental, and advertisements around metro stations," noted Al Haddad.
 
Hong Kong has 152 metro stations, and MTR runs more than 90,000 shops; a practice which had provided a rich experience in this regard.
 
“Dubai Metro is one of the key projects in the UAE and the region at large, and RTA is determined to adopt the world’s best practices in upgrading public transport networks, particularly that have a unique and unprecedented commercial advantage in the Middle East i.e. "Stations Naming Rights", rendering it worthy at part with the advanced global projects,” remarked Al Haddad.
 
"The visit resulted in many strategic benefits relating to RTA’s agenda in its capacity as the government entity responsible for the operation and development of transport networks," he stated.

"Therefore, sharing experiences and reviewing the world’s best practices is one of RTA’s key objectives towards realizing its vision of "Safe and Smooth Transport for All," he added.-TradeArabia News Service