Serco Middle East appoints new managing director for Dubai Metro, Tram

Serco Middle East has appointed Wallace Weatherill as its new managing director, a role in which he will lead the operations of the Dubai Metro as well as the Dubai Tram.

Serco Middle East operates the largest automated transport system in the region, the Dubai Metro, on behalf of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Wallace has previously worked in the Middle East rail industry for over six years, involved in the North-South high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia.

He rejoins Serco Middle East having previously served as Serco’s director for Rail in Saudi Arabia.

With almost 20 years experience in the operations of critical rail systems in both the UK and the Middle East, Wallace “brings with him the knowledge and expertise required to successfully continue” the operation of the Dubai Metro, the company said in a statement.

“I am delighted to see Wallace return to Serco Middle East at a globally challenging time. He has a strong level of expertise that will help navigate our business in the rail sector and continue to provide a high standard of service to our clients as well as the citizens and residents of the UAE,” said Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East.

Read: 594 million use public and shared transport in Dubai in 2019

Previously, Wallace has led passenger railway businesses in the UK such as Southeastern, London Commuter Railway and London Midland.

His infrastructure management experience includes the work he undertook with the UK infrastructure operator Network Rail from 1999-2006.

“My vision is to build on the success that has already been achieved by the RTA and Serco on the operations of the iconic RTA rail transit systems in Dubai,” said Wallace.

“We must also integrate the new Red Line Extension in a seamless way, unlocking new journey opportunities and building the resilience required to welcome the increase of passengers. Serco’s aim to empower nationals within our business will continue; our people are our assets and at Serco, we are all proud to be delivering essential services to the UAE,” added Wallace.

Around 650,000 people are believed to ride the Dubai Metro system every day, the RTA said in March.

The transport authority recently renamed three metro stations along the Red Line and Green Line.

Read also: RTA renames three metro stations in Dubai

Sharaf DG Metro Station on the Red Line is now called Mashreq Metro Station, while Palm Deira and Nakheel Harbour and Tower stations, on the Green Line, has also been renamed to Gold Souq and Jabal Ali respectively.

In September 2019, Dubai Metro celebrated the completion of 10 years of its operations during which it transported over 1.5 billion passengers and had a punctuality rate of 99.7 per cent.

Read more: Video: Dubai Metro completes 10 years in operation