RTA dismisses Dubai Metro stations delay reports

Posted by: Omar Thursday, 30 July 2009 4:42 PM[UAE]

Although i praise RTA for doing a great job around Dubai, i believe their PR is not that good. Why can not they admit delays?There is nothing wrong by admitting delays. It's not the end of the world. Denying facts is not constrcutive to the city. I can look from my window now and see that there is NO WAY all stations will be ready in 40 days. Give us a break. Improve your PR RTA!!! We love your city and highly appreciate your efforts but be constructive and give us FACTS. The previous report of Jose Paul suggesting the delay is 100% true. We want Dubai to be always an achiever and special and.... but we also want FACTS. By the way, please push your contractors to improve the standard of living of the poor labourers who work under +55 so we enjoy impeccable roads. I believe they must be rewarded in a higher manner!

Posted by: Jon Thursday, 30 July 2009 2:11 PM[UAE] - UAE

I agree with the other comments - this is not about RTA Bashing; this is about the endless spin of Government Departments when the truth that there will be delays is so evident to see. To make out everything is hunky dory just gives the impression that the RTA don't actually know what is going on; whereas, I'm quite sure they do. It's all about credibility. Yes, we're all sick of road works and endless diversions, but let's give credit where due - the infrastructure Dubai has created in the last five years is second to none. Please just don't treat us like idiots - it makes us even less likely to believe you when you are trying to say something of importance or relvance.

Posted by: BNK Wednesday, 29 July 2009 1:32 PM[UAE]

Thumbs Up Kirmani. Mart and others, come on guys, did UK USA told every citizen that Recession (or is it Depression in waiting!) coming. What truth you want, why all Dubaites think that each and every time there is a rumour in the media, the related department should come out and beg for pardon or tell the truth. What is truth for you may not be truth for some one else. Come on guys you know that RTA has done fantastic job in last couple of years, things you could not have imagined in your dreams, give them some credit and wait for the things to happen, the sky will not fall down if the metro is not opened on 090909, isn't it. Enjoy the ride when it opens, contribute to the growth of Dubai with which you also intend to grow, as they say 'don't shit in the plate you eat'. You all will agree that we (expats) are still better off than our counter parts in Europe and USA. Appreciate the country you live in and be thankful to the country which gave you bread and butter, and your current savings in your home country.

Posted by: Mart Wednesday, 29 July 2009 11:46 AM[UAE]

Kazim Kirmani: "Why do people love RTA-bashing? Projects of this magnitude do usually run into delays, and it needs to be taken at face value." Sure projects like this often run into delays - that is why I don't understand why the RTA can't admit the obvious - that some stations won't open. Why can't they do that? Delays don't just happen in Dubai or the Middle East - this happens in my home country, the UK... for example the Millennium Dome, Wembley Stadium etc etc. No one is claiming that such a project in the UK, USA etc would have run on time. My question was why do the RTA come out and say that everything is on time and all the stations will open on time, when its obvious that its untrue. Why do that? Why lose credibility making such absurd claims? Why not just come out and tell the TRUTH? Why not say that this is a massive project (it is), that 3-4 years was always a very aggressive target (it is) and that due to the complexity of the project and the desire to do it right, there will be delays in the opening of some stations, or perhaps the whole metro line. Everyone would respect the RTA for having done so well in so little time, and for being open about the fact that the project is going to be delayed a little. But their just seem to be a culture in these types of organisations of denying there are any delays right up until opening day, which makes it look like the guys running these projects don't have a clue (which I don't believe to be the case). There is nothing wrong with being honest. People appreciate honesty.

Posted by: Majed Al Nasser Wednesday, 29 July 2009 8:58 AM[UAE] - UAE

Mr. Kazim Kirmani I dont think anyone would even consider anything being done in sharjah, and that is for 1 simple reason, thank GOD they are improving their road networks. And about the RTA, its not about trying to critisize their capabilities or anything. The RTA was leading the whole UAE in means on developing and improving transportation. Nevertheless, when the RTA constructs such big projects AND giving false opening dates, everyone would criticise them. If they hadnt specified that 090909 is the opening date of ALL the red line stations, if they just said that we would open in the 3rd quarter of 2009, nobody would go negative on them. Personnally I dont care if the whole metro project was delaid 3 more months, yes I cant wait for it to open, but its not like my life depends on it (yet)!! So thumbs up RTA for building such a project, and fingers crossed for the project to finish on time.