The Higher Organizing Committee of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) announced the start of registration for receiving submissions for the 8th edition of Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) 2015 from government & semi-government organizations as well as private companies across the UAE.

"The Committee has completed all preparations for staging the eighth round of the Award this year," said Nasir Bu Shehab, Nasser Bu Shehab - Director of Strategic Planning cum Secretary General of DAST, Road and Transport Authority. "Registration in various categories of DAST can be completed through the Award's portal by following simple steps, saving much time and effort of participants and at the same time enhancing the Smart Government practices advocated by the Dubai Government to facilitate the processing of customers' transactions," he continued.

"From inception, the Higher Organizing Committee of DAST has been keen on advancing its business processes and aligning them with the massive improvement projects & initiatives set by the RTA . The Committee is also seeking to broaden the scope of participation in the Award to avail opportunity to the largest possible number of government and semi-government organizations and private companies enabling them to contribute to the sustainable transport drive in the UAE in consistence with RTA 's endeavours in this regard," added Bu Shehab.

"DAST is considered a practical manifestation of RTA 's strategy for realizing its vision of providing Safe and Smooth Transport for All in keeping with the development taking place in the Emirate of Dubai in various business, economic, tourist, and real estate sectors among others. This initiative is an important tool in engaging the business sector, government and quasi-government organizations and private companies in supporting RTA 's efforts aimed at achieving integration of various modes of public transportation," concluded the Director of Strategic Planning and Secretary General of DAST, RTA .

The Higher Organizing Committee of DAST announced earlier last year the introduction of a new category to DAST i.e. the Smart Transport Apps. These apps are related to all initiatives and practices of sustainable transport with the aim of rolling out new concepts to enrich the award and raise its profile in serving mass transport in general and sustainable transport in particular.

It had also introduced two subsidiary categories in 2014 edition of DAST, namely: Sustainable Transport Projects contributed by students of participating universities and schools, and the Most Frequent Users of Public Transportation in the Emirate (Metro, Buses, Water Bus, Water Taxi, Ferry and Abras).