RTA to involve private firms in marine transport

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has for the first timed decided to involve private participation in operating, managing and future expansion of its marine transport facility.

The RTA has called upon private companies, both domestic and international, to participate in bids to jointly operate the water transport system comprising stations and vessels.

The partnership would also include additional concession for expansion involving construction of additional stations and operations.

An official from the Marine Transport Department at the RTA on Thursday told Emirates 24|7 that this is the first time the agency is involving private participation in operating and managing its transport system.

“Right now we have about 10 ferries, 11 water taxis and nine waterbuses operating. We have about 18 water taxi stations and nine waterbus stations. More land has been allocated for additional ferry stations for future,” he said.

According to the RTA, qualified interested parties will be invited to bid for the responsibility of constructing additional marine stations and operating the RTA’s marine fleet and stations under a concession for a fixed duration.

“It would be a long-term project. Although we are initially going in for a five-year plan the partnership could well go beyond five years,” he added.

Companies with relevant experience should prepare an expression of interest not longer than five pages and submit it to the office of Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Zahed, Director of Marine Transport Department at the RTA head office, before December 2, 2010.

The selected firms will be invited to participate in a competitive pre-qualification questionnaire followed by a final competitive request for proposal.

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