Dubai - FTA currently regulating UAE's existing rail and metro systems 'with permission of government'.
Published: Wed 7 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Updated: Thu 8 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM
A new law regulating the nation's rail system will be ready for implementation in 2016, according to Salem Ali Al Zaabi, the Director-General of the UAE Federal Transport Authority (FTA).
Speaking at the 11th annual Mena Rail and Metro Summit in Dubai, Al Zaabi said that government officials and consultants are currently reviewing the law, which will create an economic regulatory structure for the railway sector.
On the right track
> The UAE is in the process of developing the Dh40 billion Etihad Rail Project.
> The network will span 1,200 kilometres across the UAE.
> It will provide both freight and passenger services.
> The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia through Ghweifat in the west and Oman through Al Ain in the east.
> Testing and Trials. The rail has transported more than two million tonnes of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to the Ruwais Port over the the past 12 months during testing and commissioning.
> The system completed 264-kmroute in 2014
> Economic and Environment Benefits. Etihad Rail's trains have already replaced more than 66,000 truck trips from the roads in the western region of Abu Dhabi in the past 12 months.
> Etihad Rail project is being delivered in three key stages of development. It will be used to transport bulk and non-bulk materials, offering tailor-made solutions to differing customer needs.
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"It (the railway law) was supposed to be finished before the end of this year, but I think it will be 2016," he said.
"We have to study it carefully. We have some consultants. We set up a group of people from all over the Emirates," Al Zaabi added.
"We have to cooperate with our stakeholders and all emirates.by next year it will be ready."
According to Al Zaabi, the new law will allow the FTA to set formal regulations for private sector stakeholders and ensure that safety inspections are carried out periodically on rail systems throughout the UAE.
Despite the law being still in development, Al Zaabi said that the FTA is currently regulating the UAE's existing rail and metro systems "with the permission of the government."
"Especially in Dubai they started early, and they cannot wait until we finish our laws," he said.
Once completed, the Etihad Rail network will traverse 1,200-kilometre of the UAE, with freight and passenger services running from Ghweifat to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the northern emirates, linking the country's major cities, ports and industrial areas.
A 264-kilometre stretch of the railway is already in operation, transporting sulphur from Shah and Habshan to the port of Ruwais.
The rail system will also form part of the GCC Rail Network that will link Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahran and Qatar with the UAE. -bernd@khaleejtimes.com
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