Use of electric and electronic vehicles and plans for cycling in cities were the focus of discussion at the UITP Mena Transport Congress & Exhibition 2018, which concluded earlier this week, in Dubai, UAE.

Over 70 international speakers participated in the event hosted by The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, and was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

The list of speakers included prominent Canadian thinker, Brent Toderian, who was the opening session keynote speaker, said a statement.

Other prominent speakers included Abdullah Belhalf Al Nuami, Minister of Infrastructure Development Abu Dhabi; and Rumaih Al Rumaih President, Public Transport Authority, Saudi Arabia, it said.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said: “This event, the biggest in the public transport industry, brings together industry leaders, policymakers, legislators, developers, consultants, operators and manufactures under one roof to discuss public transport future solutions.”

Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, member of the board of executive directors of RTA, chairman of the conference supreme organising committee, said: “The conference’s theme ‘Pioneers for Customer Happiness’ reflects RTA’s endeavours to delight customers from various community segments and Dubai visitors from various countries, and engage them in Dubai’s activities and events.”

“The participation of world leading experts in mass transport and infrastructure and the advanced technologies used in operating public transport will enrich this experience and contribute to attracting local and international participants. Mass transit systems are crucial to achieving progress and growth,” he added.

New initiatives were launched by RTA including the procurement of 316 buses fitted with Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines costing Dh465 million ($126.59 million) for the first time in Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, and the launch of the luxury taxi services ‘Limo Bike’ and ‘convertible Range Rover’ through the Dubai Taxi Corportation franchise.

With ‘Pioneers for Customer Happiness’ being the focus, sustainable and integrated mobility is very essential, hence speakers focused on using electric and electronic vehicles, and the importance and plans for cycling in cities. They expressed their anticipations for future investments in Mena region including bus and train operators, and other mass transit companies.

The exhibition accompanying Mena Transport Congress attracted worldwide participation of public, semi-public and private entities.

Numerous companies and organisations from the UAE, Mena, Europe, US, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Netherland and other advanced countries participated in the event with advanced technologies, smart apps, and driverless mobility pods.

Participants included Moscow Transport Company, Russia which manages public transport services comprising the metro, public buses, taxis and other mass transit modes in the Russian capital.

Roman Latypor, first deputy CEO for strategy and client service, Moscow Transport; and Ganid Butator, first deputy head of transport and road infrastructure department, Moscow Transport, expressed their delight for participating in this important regional exhibition and set one of the largest pavilions in the exhibition, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service