Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently briefed a delegation from Etihad Rail, the master developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, on the operational and safety aspects of Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram.

The RTA's Rail Agency also shared its practices related to environmental and maintenance aspects.

The delegation was also briefed on the best practices of the Control Room and the Maintenance Workshop of the Dubai Metro, as well as the processes adopted at the depot of Dubai Metro at Rashidiya, and the Depot of Dubai Tram at Al Sufouh. It was also acquainted with the extension of the Red Line of the Metro to the site of Expo 2020 (Route 2020 Project), and its relevance to Etihad Rail.

By 2018, Dubai Metro will be extended for 14.5 kilometres, branching out from Nakheel Harbour and Tower station to the Expo 2020 site near Al Maktoum International Airport, where it is expected to connect with Etihad Rail.

Earlier this year in February, Etihad Rail signed a strategic agreement with the RTA on cooperation in securing railway alignments, station locations and defining the contractual and operational responsibilities for both parties.

During its recent visit to the RTA head office, the Etihad Rail delegation reviewed the preventive measures adopted by the Dubai Metro and the Dubai Tram along with the role of the Rail Safety Committee in implementing rail safety standards.

At the end of the visit, the delegation extended an invitation to the RTA to visit the premises of Etihad Rail at Abu Dhabi during the fourth quarter of this year to share the expertise of Etihad Rail.