Pilot operation of 10 'hybrid' environment-friendly vehicles launched

Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, yesterday inaugurated the pilot operation of 10 'hybrid' environment-friendly vehicles.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), these vehicles would be run on an experimental basis for one year as taxis.

"The RTA and General Motors Company will embark on the experimental operation of 10 hybrid cars for one year as taxis. They are fitted with twin engines and run on fuel and electricity. During the experimental period, measurements will be made to identify the capability of hybrid car batteries, their lifetime and the percentage of fuel saving," Al Tayer said.
General Motors has completed training of more than 100 individuals from Dubai Taxi, Dubai Police, Civil Defence and Ambulance Services on operating and maintaining hybrid cars, the official stated.

Al Tayer added that the department was making efforts for ensuring an environment-friendly transport system in the emirate.

"RTA seeks a complete renovation of all mass transit system in the emirate so that it will become environment-friendly. A team has been formed to substitute the existing taxis and public buses with new environment-friendly vehicles using hybrid engines and replacing the existing abra engines with CNG operated engines. All of this is a first step in a master plan to make vehicles in Dubai environment-friendly," he pointed out.

He added that following the results of the experiment, RTA will start gradual replacement of taxis in Dubai with environment-friendly vehicles. Also, there were plans to start hybrid public buses as well.

Terry Johnson, President of General Motors Operations, Middle East, said they were extremely proud to team up with the RTA to introduce such modern technology to the Middle East for the first time.

Shaikh Maktoum also inspected the new double-decker buses which would start operations soon.
/WAM/

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Bur Juman implements parking charges on hourly basis

There will be no more free parking at Bur Juman as the mall on Sunday imposed parking charges on an hourly basis.

It will now cost Dh20 per hour from 6am to 6pm, but shoppers spending Dh 100 or more in the mall will be entitled to free parking.

Between the hours of 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and from 6pm onwards, parking will be free of charge, as well as Fridays and public holidays.

This, according Bur Juman management has been done to address the concerns raised by shoppers seeking parking spaces in its retail complex.

"We made this proactive move after receiving feedback from shoppers who faced difficulties finding parking spaces and believe that for genuine BurJuman shoppers, the paid parking scheme will address the issue," said Eisa Adam Ibrahim, General Manager of BurJuman.

Upon entering the parking area at BurJuman, a grace period of 15 minutes for pick up and drop is applicable, and customers will be given a grace period of half-an-hour to leave the parking lot after ticket validation.

Payment machines will be available at all parking lobbies. The currency notes that accepted by machines will include Dh 5, 10, 100, and 1 dirham coins. Lost tickets will be charged at full day fee.

/Gulf News/

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Al Maktoum airport terminal to open next year

A temporary terminal with a capacity of up to seven million passengers per year will be ready at Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali in the third quarter of 2009, relieving pressure on the busy Dubai International.

When the facility becomes operational, it will take over all Terminal 2 operations, said Khalifa Al Zafein, executive chairman of the Dubai World Central project, which comprises the new airport and a host of other logistics and aviation facilities.

Eventually the airport will have two mega terminals, six runways and six concourses with a capacity of more than 120 million passengers annually. The first runway is undergoing certification now.

Exclusive facility

Al Zafein said there is no plan to have an exclusive terminal dedicated to budget carriers. Reports had earlier suggested that the terminal currently being built was for budget airlines.

"There is no such thing planned," Al Zafein told reporters yesterday, adding that all types of airlines will be able to use the facility opening late next year.

To cope with rising passenger numbers, the present airport is expected to open Terminal 3 this year, and work on Concourse 3 has started.

The airport's capacity is expected to rise to 70 million passengers a year by 2015.

"Dubai International AirportDubai International AirportDubai International Airport plans to enhance and then to outgrow its current status as a large hub in the region and enter the world stage to become the world's leading international airport hub," Al Zafein said, adding that the projected passenger numbers will be supported by growth in tourism.

He said since 2000 Dubai air traffic has experienced double-digit annual growth in both passengers and cargo.

As many as 600 suppliers of goods and services from 40 countries will take part in the June 2-4 Airport Show in Dubai. The event will focus on airport construction, operations, technology and services.

/Gulf News/

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High-speed rail link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is in talks with Dubai about connecting the two emirates via a high-speed rail link, the chairman of the UAE capital's Department of Transport (DoT) said on Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of the DoT's five-year plan for Abu Dhabi's transport network, Abdulla Rashid Al Otaiba said the department was "having conversations [with the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)] about connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai via the railway”, quoted UAE daily The National.

The DoT's five-year plan calls for the development of a high-speed rail network, a metro and light rail network.

It also calls for the construction of new roads, the introduction of water taxis, an upgrade of the emirate's fleet of buses, and the continuation of its open skies policy to increase air traffic.

The DoT said a key element of its plan was the privatisation of transport services through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

The DoT gave no timeframe for when any of the projects would be ready, however, Abu Dhabi's Urban Planning Council said earlier this month that the emirate would have a light rail network "within seven years".

Dubai is in the process of constructing its own metro, with the first two lines, red and green, expected to come online in September 2009 and March 2010 respectively.

The red line will run from Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, around the American University, through the city centre, and to the Airport Free Zone.

The green line will run from Festival City, through the city centre, on to service Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and finishing in Rashidiya.

A blue line has also been earmarked to run along Emirates Road, although the exact route is currently unknown, and a fourth purple line will connect Dubai International Airport with Al Maktoum International Airport.

The RTA is planning up to eight metro lines that will link major destinations across the emirate.

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Transport plan in Dubai will reduce road traffic by 2012

Dubai residents could be reaching for an all-zone travel card rather than the keys to their car in years to come.
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced major plans to reduce the emirate’s reliance on cars. The Authority believes by 2012 it can achieve a target of reducing private vehicles, from 95 per cent of the total vehicles on the roads to about 70 per cent.

One way it will achieve this is by creating an advanced rail network. The emirate is spending Dh15 billion on the construction of Dubai Metro, the fastest driverless train system in the world. The RTA will also create networks of trams in Dubai’s Central Business Districts and in residential areas across the city to make it easier for people to move between the various points of the railway.

In addition to the rail network funded by the government, private developers have announced monorail projects that will be linked to the Dubai Metro or tram networks to make the system wholly integrated.

With a public transport system that is fast, reliable and convenient to use the Roads and Transport Authority has every chance of reaching its target.

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Parallel Roads project finalised

To be constructed at a cost of AED 1.855.836.000 (around USD 50 millions), Phase IV is the biggest part of the 9-contact Parallel Roads Project. Four contracts have been awarded and 3 are still under construction.

This passageway covers108 km stretching from Sheikh Rashid Road (to the north) and terminating at the outskirts of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The project consists of bridges and intersections between parallel and perpendicular roads in a sector extending 42 km. It also includes two corridors to support Sheikh Zayed Road, which is witnessing intensive traffic triggered by a series of massive development projects spanning along this vital road. Following these works, the intake of both roads is expected to rise to 18000 vehicles per hour.

"In coordination with Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA), RTA managed to separate Inter-Free Zones traffic at both sides of the Project from the bypassing road, said Al-Tayer.

"Upon completion of bridges linking Free Zones and areas covered by the Contract, the Project will help in cutting short trip time for trucks, minimizing truck density on nearby roads and providing better flow of traffic on these roads," he added.

Work, he said, is progressing according to schedule in other phases of Project. Construction works in the first Contract of the Project are set to be completed in February 2009, covering road construction in Al Barsha and Al-Quoz Industrial Area. This Phase, which costs around Dh600 million, extends from Jebel Racecourse up to Muscat Road, with a total length of 13 km spanning both Western Parallel Road and Eastern Parallel Road.

Eastern & Western Parallel Roads, consisting of three lanes in each direction, pass across Al Barsha residential area and Al Quoz Industrial Area. The Project also comprises two flyovers and 17 light signal-controlled intersections, and works necessary for all services such as irrigation, sewage, lighting, and traffic & directional signage.

Phase II of Parallel Roads Project, costing about Dh693 million & cantered on Za'abeel area, comprises construction of elevated roads including 19 bridges made of pre cast concrete segments. It extends 4236 meters in length and 14.7 meters in width, and links with the terminal point of the Western Parallel Road, prior to Za'abeel Road 2. It extends in an elevated road alongside the boundary of Za'abeel Park to link with Sheikh Rashid Road near Al Qatta'iyat Road, thereby providing a direct link between Al Garhoud Bridge and the Western Parallel Road.

The Project, in which construction works started on 12 November 2007, comprises various works such as paving, lighting, traffic signals, traffic signs ... etc. The remaining phases of the project are now under initial design and tendering processes. The cost of the two contracts of Phase III (A & B) of these roads parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road reached Dh1.399.173.000 and will be completed in two years. The Contract under Phase III (A) costing Dh449.233.000 had been awarded to Todini Co. and will be completed in 600 days.

Al Tayer further added: "The Project is located in Jumeirah Lake Towers area and links vast expanses of property complexes of Emaar and Nakheel towards the southern part of Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchanges 5 and 5.5. It comprises constructing a 10 km road of 6 lanes, 5 bridges and 2 underpasses in addition to construction-related activities such as facilities, pavements, signage, road markings, lighting, traffic diversions and protecting the existing utility lines. This Phase comprises 6% of the total Parallel Roads Project.

"Phase III of the Project, costing about 950 million dirham, was awarded to Al Naboodah Contracting Co. and will be constructed in 730 days. The road project passes across huge property developments in the vicinity of Jebel Ali Racecourse such as Emirates Hills, The Springs, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Park and Metro Planned areas.

"This Phase includes construction of a 20 km long road, comprising 14% of the Parallel Roads Project. It consists of 3 lanes in each direction and involves construction of 10 bridges, and 4 underpasses in addition to facilities, pavements, signage, road markings, lighting, traffic diversions and protecting the existing utility lines. WAM

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Jebel Ali set to take over Port Rashid’s cargo business

Jebel Ali, the world’s largest man made harbour and the biggest port in the Middle East, is all set to take over the full cargo business of Port Rashid with the completion of Terminal 2-expansion project in February.

Business at Port Rashid, which was established in 1972, is being scaled down because DP World has moved its general and non-containerised cargo handling operations to its flagship facility at Jebel Ali Port, a senior official at DP World said.

“Following requests from the customers to move to new container terminal at Jebel Ali, most of the containerised cargo handled at Port Rashid has already moved to Jebel Ali Port.”

“Staff and equipment associated with general and non-containerised cargo handling similarly re-located to Jebel Ali Port by the end of March,” he said.

Port Rashid handled around 800,000 TEUs in 2007. The port handled around 1.2 million TEUs in 2006 and it was the maximum throughput to date before starting moving its cargo business to Jebel Ali Port.

“Some container handling capacity remains at Port Rashid and cruise ships and ferries are still using Port Rashid.”

The port, which had only two gantry cranes and a capacity of less than 100,000 TEUs initially, still has six gantry cranes and a capacity of 1,000,000 TEUs.

Adjacent to the port are Dubai Drydocks and Dubai Maritime City. Both of these facilities were built due to Port Rashid’s proximity. But, in January 2008, it was announced that the port would be redeveloped and all cargo operations will be moved to Jebel Ali Port this year.
New role

Jebel Ali Port supplemented Port Rashid in early 1980s and now looks set to take full cargo business of Port Rashid. At present, Phase 2 of Terminal 2 expansion project is underway and will be completed early next year.

“The project will bring one million TEUs online in August this year. Another one million TEUs capacity will be available in October. Phase 2-expansion project will be completed in February 2009 when another one million TEUs will be added to the port’s capacity in February 2009,” said Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, DP World-UAE.

After expansion, Jebel Ali Port will have an additional 2,500 metres of quay length with a draft of 17 metres. This will enable the port to cater for the new generation of mega ships (12,000 + TEUs).

Terminal 2-expansion project spreads over more than 1,400,000 square metres. With seven berths and a total capacity of five million TEUs, Jebel Ali Port will see capacity rise to 14-15 million TEUs. Similar to Terminal 1, Terminal 2 will be used for both import and export cargo and transshipment business.

DP World officially launched operations at Phase 1 of Terminal 2 in August last year. Phase 1, which adds three more berths, increases the port’s total handling capacity by two million to around 11 million TEUs.

“Implementation and installation of the 18-rail mounted gantries and the eight tandem lift gantry cranes was carried out successfully as part of the expansion, and we are planning to add 21 more tandem lifts and 42 rail mounted gantries by the end of the project,” Al Muallem said.

“Today, Jebel Ali is a technologically advanced facility and employs state-of-the-art equipment, including the world’s largest gantry cranes, capable of lifting four 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers simultaneously,” he added.

“Jebel Ali is the largest port between Rotterdam and Singapore. It has been voted ‘Best Seaport in the Middle East’ for 13 consecutive years,” he said.
New e-services

DP World is all set to launch fully automated system to avoid physical visits to documentation centres, eliminate paper work and clear the transactions in minimum possible time.

“Shipping Lines want to keep their ships on move while traders like to clear their containers as early as possible. DP World caters the needs of both the segments of its customers through state-of-the-art equipment at ports and better online services,” Al Muallem said.

Gate Automation: He said a new gate technology initially is recently introduced at Jebel Ali’s Terminal 2 and will also available to Terminal 1 soon.

“Gate Automation will eliminate manual intervention and paper work at Terminal Gates,” he said adding that around 6,000 registered trucks with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tag will be ready to serve by the end of this month,” he said.

e-token: Besides this, DP World introduced e-token service in November last year for delivery and receipt of containers at Port Rashid and Jebel Ali Container Terminals.

e-payment: e-payment service was introduced in March this year. The service allows consignees and their selected clearing & forwarding agents to pay port charges for their imported containers on line.

World’s first simulator: DP World’s UAE region has introduced a special simulator at its flagship Jebel Ali port to train operators on the use of giant Tandem Lift cranes that are capable of handling four 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers simultaneously. The device is the first of its kind in the world. In addition to Tandem Lift cranes, operators will also be able to train on standard, rubber-tyred or rail mounted gantry cranes. Source

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The second annual ‘Arab Run’ parade on Friday

The streets of Dubai will experience traffic congestion of a different kind on April 4 when $20 million worth of super cars parade through the city during the second annual ‘Arab Run’.

Organisers said on Wednesday the 2008 Arab Run would feature an array of high-end luxury cars, including a Bugatti Veyron, SLR Roadster and Pagani Zonda F.

The parade will tour the city, including the Palm Strip, Jumeriah Road and Al Dhyiafa Road, before heading to Fujairah to the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Hotel.

Afterwards the parade will head to the Emirates Motorplex in Umm Alquwain were motorists will put their supercars to the test, organisers said.

The first Arab Run took place in April last year, with over 60 cars worth around $10 million were involved. Source

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Porsche Chooses Dubai as Its Middle East, Africa Headquarters

Porsche AG plans to establish its Middle East and North Africa base in Dubai Silicon Oasis, a state-owned technology park.

The German carmaker will locate its regional training centre there, according to an e-mailed statement from Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority today.

Porsche planned to design 17 buildings around the world in partnership with the state-owned Dubai Properties, with the first tower located in the Gulf emirate, it said in a statement in October 2006. (Bloomberg)

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Dubai to splash $14.3bn on transport network

Dubai will spend about 52.5 billion dirhams ($14.3 billion) over the next five years building roads, bridges and a metro network as the emirate's population growth surges, a transport executive said on Monday.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has already committed to projects worth 26 billion dirhams in the Gulf's tourism and trade hub, which is seeking to achieve economic growth of 11% per year to 2015.

"We are to spend 10.5 billion dirhams a year for the coming five years," RTA Chairman Mattar Al-Tayer told reporters, without being more specific.

Al-Tayer said last June the authority planned to invest at least 75 billion dirhams over the next five years on transport infrastructure to help meet demand as Dubai's population is expected to double to more than 2 million by 2015.

Among the RTA's plans are a urban rail system including at least a four lines, the first two of which will cover 76 kilometres and carry about 200 million passengers per year.

The RTA would fund the projects from Dubai's government and its own operations and had no plans to borrow, Al-Tayer said.

"We are not going to borrow any money, we have enough money," he said.

One way the RTA would earn money for its infrastructure projects is by selling branding rights to local and global firms for 23 of its metro stations and two of the lines, Al-Tayer said, declining to say how much it hoped to raise from the sale.

Companies could secure branding rights for 10 years, he said.

"This is a chance for us to make money and [is a model] used in Europe and the United States," he said, adding the authority would also generate funds from advertising and rentals of commercial and retail space.

The RTA is also selling branding rights for metro stations across the city, its chief of strategy and corporate governance Abdulmohsin Ibrahim told reporters.

Emaar Properties, the largest Arab developer by market value, paid 100 million dirhams to build the station at its $20 billion Burj Dubai development, which includes the world's tallest tower, Ibrahim said.

Dubai, home to islands in the shape of palm trees and a ski slope in the desert, wants to almost triple its gross domestic product (GDP) to $108 billion by 2015, its ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, said last year.

In order to cope with traffic congestion, Dubai has built a floating bridge over the Dubai creek, the city's main waterway, and is building new bridges, roads and introducing a water transport system.

The RTA also introduced a toll system on Dubai's main Sheikh Zayed highway in 2007 and has expanded the number of parking spaces for which it takes payment across the emirate.

France's Alstom and Italy's Ansaldo were among groups bidding for a 2 billion dirham design and build contract for Dubai's tram system, Middle East Economic Digest (Meed) reported in December.

British support services firm Serco Group won a contract to operate and maintain the first two lines earlier this month. (Reuters)

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Dubai to rationalise cars-people ratio

Dubai has a ratio of 571 cars to 1,000 people, compared to Singapore’s 111 cars per 1000 people. In Western cities, the ratio of trips made by walking or using public transportation versus using a car is 4:1, while in Dubai it is almost 50:50, demonstrating that people use their cars for almost every trip or outing.

Abdul Majid Al Khaja, CEO of Rail Agency at the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) provided these figures at a presentation on “Mobility Difficulties in Dubai” at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently.

Al Khaja said this situation was being addressed by the RTA by creating an integrated, intelligent transport system involving rail, roads, marine vessels, buses and taxis, to meet the projected population growth over the next decade.

“A number of measures are under way to improve the situation over the next two years. The measures include increasing the number of public buses from the current 650 to 3,000 and commissioning of two (out of the four) routes of the Dubai Metro by September 2009,” Al Khaja said.

“In addition, marine transportation would be expanded by increasing the number of abras and water taxis.”

Al Khaja pointed out that measures like paid parking and the Salik road toll system were aimed at discouraging the use of cars. Source

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10-year operation and maintenance contract for the Dubai Metro to UK services provider

The operational needs of the Dubai Metro will generate over 3200 new jobs, with up to 50% of the positions to be filled by UAE nationals, the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.

The RTA has awarded the 10-year operation and maintenance contract for the Dubai Metro to UK services provider firm Serco, the authority said on Monday.

Mattar Al Tayer, executive director of the RTA, declined to disclose the value of the contract; however in a statement last year, Serco said the contract was valued at more than 2.9 billion dirhams ($790 million).

The contract stipulates that eventually up to 50% of Dubai Metro employees must be UAE nationals, Al Tayer said.

By the end of the 10-year contract with Serco, the percentage of Emiratis employed at the Dubai Metro could be 80%, he added.

Under the contract terms, Serco will run the Dubai Metro operations control centre, provide train attendants and station staff while maintaining track and station facilities.

Serco currently operates a range of metro and rail systems world-wide, including the Docklands Light Railway in London and metro systems in the US and Australia. The Dubai Metro operation will become the firm’s largest metro operation.

The first two lines of the metro, red and green, are expected to have a combined length of 75 km, with the red line to come online in September 2009, followed by the green line in March 2010.

The red line will run from Al Maktoum International Airport, around the American University, through the city centre, and to the Airport Free Zone.

The green line will run from Festival City, through the city centre, on to service Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and on to Rashidiya.

A 47 km blue line will run along Dubai's busy Emirates Road, although the exact route is currently unknown.

The fourth service, a 49 km purple line that will connect Dubai International Airport with the planned Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, will be added later.

The RTA is planning up to eight metro lines that will link major destinations across the emirate.

The authority is also yet to announce the fare prices for a journey on the trains, which are predicted to carry 200 million passengers per year. Source

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New 14 lanes of traffic between Bur Dubai and Deira

The new Al Garhoud Bridge officially launched on Saturday over Dubai Creek, opening 14 lanes of traffic between Bur Dubai and Deira.

More than 2,000 engineers, technicians and labourers were involved in the construction of the 1.7 km crossing, which took 24 months from design to completion.

Incorporating 143,000 tonnes of cement, it boasts 17 tonnes of steel pillars and 2,000 steel wires, and is expected to carry around 16,000 vehicles per hour.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority also announced on Saturday the start of construction on a new sixth crossing, set to become the world’s longest arch bridge.
The 12-lane Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing will link Al Jaddaf at Bur Dubai with the road separating the Lagoons project and Dubai Festival City. It will provide entry and exit points for the Creek Island on which the opera building will be constructed.

The 667 metre-high, 3 billion dirham ($817 million) crossing will handle around 20,000 vehicles per hour and is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Set 15 metres above the water, with a 205 metre-high arch, it will include a Dubai Metro station and incorporate a three metre-wide pedestrian walkway.

New York architecture firm Fxfowle said last month its design for the bridge was inspired by the “rhythmic grace of Dubai Creek’s current, the elegant splendour of the sand dunes adjacent to the city, the lighting patterns of the lunar cycle and the design of the future Opera House.” Source

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New and improved Garhoud Bridge is all set to today

Giving a much-needed respite to the thousands of motorists, particularly those travelling from Dubai to Sharjah and back, the new and improved Garhoud Bridge is all set to open on Saturday, the RTA has confirmed.

"The good thing about the bridge is the number of lanes. The new bridge will have a total of 14 lanes, seven for traffic bound from Bur Dubai to Deira and seven for traffic heading from Deira to Bur Dubai. These lanes would ensure movement of a greater number of vehicles passing through the bridge. There would be 16,000 vehicles crossing the new bridge every hour, unlike the old bridge which had a capacity to carry only 8,000 vehicles an hour," said an RTA official. Source

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RTA holds preliminary meeting with potential suppliers of new buses

Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recently held a preliminary meeting in its new premises at Muhaisna 4 with a large number of bus suppliers intending to take part in the tender to supply 1616 new and sophisticated buses from various renowned manufacturers worldwide.

The meeting was chaired by Eissa Abdul Rahman Al Dosari, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, who stressed that suppliers have to do their level best to provide RTA with buses of innovative designs, latest technologies and highest technical standards capable of uplifting the standard of service levels rendered by the Agency in this vital field of public transport.

"The internal designs of new buses have to be both roomy and luxurious in keeping with the fast pace of progress witnessed by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular at all fields particularly in the tourist industry; which has become a key feature of Dubai emirate. In addition to that Dubai is already a leading commercial & economic hub in the region and a point of attraction to investors and businessmen from around the globe" said Al Dosari.

He explained that the new buses will be of various sizes and shapes, compatible with the highest safety standards and fitted with the best technological features, such as a speaker system announcing the next stop, a statistical system to count the number of passengers, a global positioning system linked with RTA Control Center, and internal & external display monitors.

Following this order, the number of buses will rise to 2500 buses by 2009; ensuring coverage of 95% of Dubai zones by public transport services, as well as providing feeder service to Dubai Metro stations so as to raise the number of trips made by mass transit modes.

"These buses will undoubtedly contribute to enhance the intended modal integration in public transport sector in line with Dubai demographic growth; which is triggered by the rich business potentials offered by various sectors in the emirate" added Al Dosari.

Commenting on the advanced technologies characterizing these buses Al Dosari said: "These buses are fitted with the latest technology of Euro IV engines compatible with the highest environmental standards, I-Shift transmission system, advanced braking systems, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP); rendering driving convenient and safe to passengers and at the same time fuel saving".

Operations Specialist at Public Transport Agency provided a visual presentation of the objectives of this introductory meeting with bus suppliers. He briefed them on various aspects of this tender such that suppliers could conceive RTA requirements in terms of product and service. Then he replied to their questions & sorted out obstacles & troubles associated with the terms & conditions of this tender, and discussed the conditions of the financial matters.

The meeting was attended by engineer Khalid Hashim- Director of Planning & Business Development Dep't at the Public Transport Agency, engineer Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali - Director of Public Buses Dep't, Salim Abdullah Al Saleh - Director of Maintenance & Services Dep't, and a representative of RTA Contracts & Procurement Dep't.

Al Dosari concluded his statement by saying RTA is always seeking to provide advanced mass transit modes which have very close links with the environment and humans. It aims to cut down the number of daily traffic accidents resulting from the increasing numbers of private vehicles, minimize environmental pollution, improve public health, and increase the productivity of all community segments. (WAM)

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Dubai International Boat Show begins tomorrow

The Dubai International Boat Show 2008 will take at Dubai International Marine Club - Mina Seyahi from 11-15 March 2008. Free visitor parking and shuttle service to the event is available next to the Habtoor Grand. DIBS is open to trade visitors and general public, from 3pm - 9.30pm daily. Visitors without an invitation must pay an entrance fee of AED 40 per person. Children under 12 will be admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Access to the Marine Display Area may be restricted at certain times.

Established in 1992, Dubai International Boat Show, the largest marine industry exhibition in the Middle East, is a showcase of yachts and boats from both local and international builders together with the latest innovations in marine equipment and accessories.

• Exhibitors include both local and international boat manufacturers as well as the latest in marine equipment, supplies and services.

• Over 25,000 visitors expected to attend from around the region including key buyers from Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

A total of 800 companies will be participating from 48 countries with 158 luxury power and sailing boats on the water, in addition to the inaugural DIBS Fashion show, bringing together the leading names presenting the latest marine clothing and accessories.

The Dubai International Boat Show is open daily from 3pm to 9.30pm and visitors are encouraged to come early and enjoy the relaxing, traffic free journey on water to the show.

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Dubai may receive world's biggest sailing ship in 2010

The biggest and one of the most luxurious ships ever built could be gracing the warm winter waters of Dubai from the beginning of 2010, after negotiations were held at the International Travel Bourse (ITB) in Berlin yesterday.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Sea Cloud Cruises are in the final stages of negotiation for the Sea Cloud Hussar, still under construction, to make its debut, and become a regular winter cruise operator, in Dubai from January 2010.

Inspired by the sail ships of old, the Sea Cloud Hussar is being built in Spain by German designers and when completed in 2009, the three-mast full ship will be the biggest sailing ship built, according to Sea Cloud Cruises President Konstantin Bissias.

Sea Cloud Cruises, which includes Sea Cloud, a 75-year-old renovated sailing ship, and the Sea Cloud 2, targets high-end discerning clientele interested in luxury and culture who will pay an average of 850 euro per person per night for a one-week tour, or nearly 6,000 euro.

"The decision to go to Dubai was made for the following reasons," Bissias elaborated. "One — it was quite reachable in the time frame — geographically."

Sea Cloud Cruises usually operates a summer season in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.

"Also, the sailing conditions are suitable and support it," he continued. "There are good air connections from Europe. And there is good infrastructure for five-star clientele."

Bissias said the company's "very, very demanding clientele" were traditionally split evenly between the American and European visitors.

He, however, predicted this might change in favour of more Europeans and the company was interested to see the potential for GCC and Middle East clients.

Two tour programmes, each of one week in different sections of the Gulf, were to be offered over a three-and-a-half-month frame from January, although tour partners and details were yet to be finalised.

"They will be a combination of nature, leisure and culture," Bissias said.

With previous partners, including the National Trust, Bissias said, "This is a cultural thing on a very high level."

The ship itself, which will evoke a sense of nostalgia, is fitted out with top-of-the-line modern facilities and technology.

"It's an absolute landmark," Bissias laughed. "Although it's not a landmark obviously."

Factbox

Sea Cloud Hussar

Length: 445.23 feet

Beam max: 56.43 feet

Draft: 18.54 feet

Height of main mast above deck: 157.50 feet

Height of main mast above waterline: 190 feet

Number of sails: 27

Speed max: 14 knots

Passengers max: 136

Crew max: 90

Delivery: Autumn 2009

First season: from January 2010 touring from Dubai
Source

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Surveillance boats to monitor abras

The Marine Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will deploy five surveillance boats in the Dubai Creek to keep a tab on the abras. The crew on these boats would also act as an emergency team ready to rescue people in case of any mishap.

During a talk with Khaleej Times on Thursday, Mohammed Obeid Al Mulla, CEO of the Marine Agency, said two of the five boats would start monitoring the creek in two months.

“This is a new project aimed at keeping a tab on the activities of the abra operators and provide immediate relief in case of an emergency. Everyday there are thousands of people using the abra service. There are some guidelines that the abra operators need to follow.

“These surveillance boats will move around the creek and keep an eye on the abra operators. They will handle any case of misbehaviour by the operator with the passengers. They would also check whether the abras are taking more passengers than the limit (20 people in each abra) and whether they have the required safety kits,” he said.

Al Mulla said the crew of these boats would also act as rescuers. “The boats would have all modern basic safety tools. In case of any emergency, these boats will rush at the mishap site in a matter of two to three minutes and handle the situation.”

With major marine projects like the Palms and The World going on in full swing, these boats would also operate in these areas. “Our main objective is to provide safety and security to the people using the different forms of marine transport,” said Al Mulla.

These boats would be operated and maintained by private companies. “The people operating these boats would be fully trained for the job. We are sure people will feel more secure and safe with these boats patrolling the creek,” he added. Source

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RTA moves to polish skills of cab drivers

The RTA Taxi Agency is in the process of revamping the training sessions of their cab drivers, according to a Press release issued by the RTA yesterday.

Abdul Aziz Malik, CEO of the Dubai Taxi, said the agency is attaching great importance to the training of new and veteran drivers by involving them in modern and effective training courses to improve the performance and upgrade the services they provide to the residents of the UAE and tourists, the press release added.

“Dubai Taxi Agency is using these training curricula to train their drivers in various skills that would upgrade the services they provide to the customers. A total of 520 drivers have recently graduated in addition to 280 new trainees, who are being trained at the present time,” said Malik in the Press release.

Malik added that the drivers learn a number of skills, including customer service, traffic regulations and laws of the agency and the vehicle driving management.

He explained that the agency is highly prioritising customer service by introducing the drivers to an effective training course that aims at developing their skills and broaden their knowledge.

“The customer service training includes a number of domains and includes communication and behaviour skills, basic skills in the English language, vehicle cleanliness, inspection and knowing about traffic toll system (Salik), the car air-conditioning system and handling the car radio. It also includes health, manners and civility in dealing with the road users, greeting the passengers, agreement with the passengers on the direction they intend to go to, preserving a good relationship with the passengers, helping them to carry the luggage, to show interest in comfort and safety of passengers, avoiding what would irritate passengers, especially women and the preservation of lost properties,” said Malik. He added that the agency gives special attention to the human situations, including the elderly, the sick and those with special needs and those who are accompanied by young children. Source

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Double decker buses between the Emirates from August

Commuting between Dubai and Sharjah is all set to become a pleasure when double decker buses start plying between the two emirates from August this year.
Senior officials of the Public Transport Department in the RTA have said 70 state-of-the-art double decker buses would be plying between Dubai and Sharjah from August.These 90-seat buses are all set to provide the passengers with the much-needed luxury.

New coach buses will service also the roads between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Al Ain.

The RTA already has a fleet of buses plying between Dubai to Sharjah, but the commuters have complained that at times, they have to stand because of the lesser number of seats.

Thousands of people use the bus service from Dubai to Sharjah everyday. The RTA started the service on the Dubai-Sharjah route in May last year with 90 buses. These were later replaced by more luxurious buses.

“People can catch the new double decker buses from the Al Ghubaiba (Bur Dubai) Bus Station. Initially, we would be operating a fleet of 70 double decker buses, with 90 seats each. This means that more people can travel comfortably at one time,” said an official.

He added that the double decker buses would drop passengers at two bus stations in Sharjah — Al Jubail Bus Station and Al Rolla Bus Station.

“The new buses would be strengthening our fleet and reduce the waiting period for buses considerably. Moreover, the passengers can enjoy a more comfortable journey,” he added.

Talking about the coach buses, the official said each of them had 35 seats and would be travelling on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi and Dubai-Al Ain routes.

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