Dubai - "The new resolution aims to realise maximum safety and safe operation of railway transport"
Published: Fri 28 Jul 2017, 4:51 PM
Updated: Fri 28 Jul 2017, 6:56 PM
To ensure safe and smooth transport, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has called on all entities undertaking RTA projects to cooperate in the implementation of the Executive Council Resolution No. 1/ 2017 governing railway systems in the emirate.
"The new resolution aims to realise maximum safety and safe operation of railway transport, provide advanced and safer transit systems, protect the environment and maintain the natural ecological balance, and realise the vision of Dubai as a sustained and smart city," said Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA's Rail Agency.
"It ensures the integration of various mass transit systems in the emirate and defines the respective roles and responsibilities of the Agency and the safety regulator to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the railway systems," he added.
The resolution delegates to RTA the powers of ensuring that certificates issued by the Agency and the safety regulator as well as investigations carried out by inspectors are free from any conflict of interests.
Among the salient points of the resolution are:
> On compensation for losses - the resolution prohibits any person to practice any activity that may cause damage to the railway network or expose it to danger, or cause harm to the environment or others harms, because of exceeding the thresholds of noise and vibrations. The offender has to bear the responsibility for damages in respect of all losses incurred. The said losses include losses inflicted to individuals, properties, the environment and the restricted use, be it temporary or permanent.
> On penalties and measures - the Resolution states that a written warning must precede the slapping of fines for offences in respect of which the Director General had issued a resolution. The warning shall include the redressing of the offence within the period specified by the Agency or the safety regulator. Otherwise, the fine is imposed on offenders.
> On law enforcement and grievances - the RTA or operator's employees, as named in a Resolution of the Director General, are entitled to practice law enforcement duties. In so doing, they are entitled to file the law enforcement reports and may seek the support of policemen, if needed.
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