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Pay attention to nuts and bolts of Iraq’s future
The country’s boosters have predicted an urban Metro in Baghdad within 10 years. They are paid for such rosy assessments. Iraq, and particularly her cities, are recovering from one of the most ravaging periods in modern Middle Eastern history.
RTA delays opening final Metro stations
The delay has been caused by low projected numbers of probable users and a lack of development around some stations, said Ramadan Mohammed, the director of rail operations at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Public transport is changing habits in UAE
When Kedar Iyer first moved to Dubai from Paris he could have easily done what most expatriates do upon arriving – rent or hire a car. But instead of shopping for the latest SUV, the digital media specialist checked out carpools, taxis and bus routes. After measuring his environmental footprint 18 months ago he went one step further and now walks and takes the Dubai Metro.
Brits build hopes for future
As the good times rolled, dozens of others joined them, making their marks on projects ranging from the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Metro to building roads and bridges. But the financial downturn of the past couple of years has left British builders in a precarious position, with at least one, Mouchel Group, a consultancy company, deciding to pull out.
China finds metros a boon as cities boom
It was at a ceremony 45 years ago that construction of the Beijing Subway began. Just as Dubai launched the Dubai Metro urban rail system last year, and Abu Dhabi plans to have its own urban train network from 2016, so China has embarked on a metro building project almost as frenzied as the urbanisation that has made it necessary.
Japan concern over late payments
Japanese builders on the Dubai Metro were among companies that encountered payment problems on local projects, The National reported in November. Late payments to Japanese contractors in Dubai have caused concern about how the country’s businesses should operate in the Middle East, Tatsuo Watanabe, Japan’s ambassador to the UAE, said yesterday.
Serco signs up for new line of business
Nakheel has hired the services company Serco to take over operations of the Palm Jumeirah Monorail after cancelling a contract with the Singaporean rail company SMRT Engineering last month. Serco, which operates and maintains Dubai Metro, took over the 5.5km line on Palm Jumeirah last Friday.
Emirates launches Metro check-in
Metro commuters travelling on Emirates Airline flights can now check in 24 hours in advance at kiosks in three stations as the carrier extends services available at Dubai International Airport. Kiosks have been installed at the Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa and Financial Centre stations. The self-service devices are expected to provide an added convenience and to reduce waiting time at the airport, Emirates officials said. Passengers will need their reservation code or ticket number to use the service, which will be available until two hours before departure.
