On Sept 10th, the Public Transport Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) will modify the path of the Dubai Metro Stations Feeder Route (F31) to start off Dubai Internet City metro station, instead of Mall of the Emirates metro station, to cover TECOM Greens and Meadows Residential districts in addition to other districts in Dubai Emirate.

The move comes after extensive site surveys carried out by the Agency to assess the needs of Dubai districts with the aim of meeting the soaring demand for this service among public transport users in the Emirate.

According to Masoud Al Janahi, Acting Director of Planning & Business Development, Public Transport Agency, the path of Route (F31) would pass across several localities including Regent International School, Dubai International Academy, access to The Springs, Dubai British School and other districts.

Among other modifications to be concurrently introduced to other routes is the expanding the path of Route (F5) to pass by Etisalat Academy & Al Arabi Center, operating Route (X92) with a 30 minutes service frequency, and abolishing Route (47).

“Public Transport Agency also decided to merge Route (F4), starting off Al Rashidiya Metro Station, passing through Mirdiff City Center and Mirdiff East, with Route (F3) starting off Al Rashidiya Metro Station, passing through Mirdiff West, and Route (F10) starting off Al Rashidiya Metro Station, passing through Al Warqa 3 and Mirdiff City Center,” said Al Janahi.

He stated that this merger was intended to boost public bus service and reassured the users of the said stations that the quality of service would not be impacted by this merger as the two lines (F3) and (F10) would cover all bus stops and services that used to be provided to the public through (F4).

The Women Committee, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently hosted Ramadan Orphans Forum at the Theatre Hall, RTA Head Office, Al Garhoud, organized by Ahl Al-Qura’an International Campaign, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai with the aim of honouring a number of young orphans from both sexes, featuring direct participation from Dar Al-Birr Society in Dubai and Al-Ihsan Charity Center in Ajman.

The Forum was attended by RTA Board Member Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Head of IACAD Religious Guidance Section Abdullah Abdul Jabbar, Director General of Al-Ihsan Charity Center in Ajman Abdullah Al Jaadi, and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Saad Abdul Ghani who delivered a lecture entitled “Their Rights and Our Duties”.

The Deputy Chairwoman of RTA Women Committee Rawdah Khalifa Al Mahrazi said: “This event is part of the human activities of the Committee towards this community segment with the aim of entertaining them and offering them care & attention to bring joy and pleasure to their innocent souls”.

“This gesture comes in the context of RTA attention to adopt initiatives that aim at enhancing the communication with various segments of the community, and is prompted by the need of orphan children for welfare and care in line with our lofty Islamic principles, and in true manifestation of the words of our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in being compassionate to orphans through sponsoring and cheering them up so that they may not feel the loss of their parents,” she continued.

During the Forum, several speeches were made including a speech delivered by RTA Board Member Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla in which he reiterated RTA permanent attention to participate in various social activities and highlighted its ongoing endeavours to lend all sorts of support out of its responsibility towards different community members, including orphans.

The Forum was interceded by quizzes for juniors & seniors where the winners walked away with gifts. An orphan girl narrated her story following the death of her father and how she started to receive assistance from Al-Ihsan Charity Center in Ajman; a matter which played a vital role in integrating her with her peers.

The participating entities decorated each other, thanks to the efforts made in bringing success to this event, and RTA Women Committee made expeditious efforts to this gathering a success.

Belrimaitha Club saw the final of Ramadan Football Tournament organized by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) featuring participation of all RTA agencies & sector over a week. The events were played in teams divided in two groups, each group comprises 4 teams.

Dubai Taxi Corporation team emerged as the winner having defeated Corporate Technical Support Services Sector in the final in penalty shootout (4/2) after the prescribed match time ended in a draw. RTA Security team finished second after defeating Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector (2/1).

Commenting on the Tournament, Acting Director of Administrative Corporate Support Services Sector Yousef Jawad Al Rida, said: “This Tournament is part of the sports activities organized by RTA Events Committees during the holy month of Ramadan with the aim of creating fun for RTA employees in a way compatible with the spirit and vibrant activities marking the month, particularly in the evening and after Taraweeh prayers”.

“The event was co-sponsored by Al Marai Company and Leader Sport Company. The first company distributed 150 juice cans daily to the public throughout the days of the Tournament, and the second company provided sports shirts to the participating teams along with trophies and medals to the first four finishers,” continued Jawad.

He thanked both companies for their substantial contributions which were instrumental for the success of the Tournament, and also reflected the corporate responsibilities of both companies towards various segments of the community.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently inspected Al Khawaneej Bus Depot which was inaugurated by the RTA in early August to serve 16 public transport routes shuttling over several districts across Dubai Emirate; including 5 Dubai Metro stations feeder service.

During his tour, Al Tayer was accompanied by the CEO of Public Transport Agency Essa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari in addition to other directors & managers of the Agency.

Al Tayer stated: “Al Khawaneej Bus Depot is considered a milestone in broadening and upgrading public transport network in Dubai Emirate; as it serves a plenty of Dubai Metro stations feeder routes, and passes across a number of districts throughout the Emirate”.

“The inauguration of this depot aims to widen and improve public bus transport, meet the requirements of passengers using this type of public transport, encourage more passengers to use the Dubai Metro, and enhance the integration of public transport network in Dubai Emirate,” said Al Tayer.

He continued: “The inauguration of this station culminates elaborate studies and site surveys undertaken by the RTA to assess the requirements of public bus riders, link the metro stations with public transport routes in Dubai, and address the transportation needs of all districts in the vicinity of the metro stations.

“The opening of Al Khawaneej Bus Depot also aims to distribute the bus routes according to districts close to the bus depots to ensure better utilization of the existing resources, enhance the efficiency and reduce the operational cost so long as the Depot is in close proximity to the starting points of the bus routes. It is anticipated that the operation of this Depot will cut the operational costs by as much as 1.5 million dirham per annum,” added Al Tayer.

“It took the RTA 15 months to complete this vital project at a cost of 121 million dirham. The facility has a capacity to house 284 buses and comprises a waiting yard, an air-conditioned maintenance workshop providing all types of preventive & regular bus maintenance (including maintenance of engines, electrical systems, and air-conditioning systems), a fully fledged painting workshop, a refueling station and a washing bay,” said Al Tayer in a final remark.

Worth-mentioning that the five metro stations feeder routes principally serve Al Rashidiya Station as Route (F3) starts off Al Rashidiya Metro Station (4), and passes across several districts including Mirdiff Interchange, Mirdiff Private School (1), and Mirdiff Uptown Center (1). Route (F4) starts off Al Rashidiya Metro Station (5) and passes across Imam Abu Haneefa Mosque at Mirdiff, Mirdiff City Center, Al Rashidiya and other districts. Route (F5) starts off Al Rashidiya Metro Station (5) and passes across Muhaisnah (1), Al Mizher, and Al Arabi Center, whereas Route (F6) starts off Lulu Village, Muhaisnah (4), Head Office of Public Transport Agency, and Al Kawakeb School. Route (F10) starts off Al Rashidiya Metro Station (2) and passes through several districts including the entry leading to Al Warqaa (1), the Grand Mosque at Al Warqaa, and Al Jahiz Boys School at Rashidiya among others.

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) will start writing-off vehicles whose registration had expired two or more years ago, effective October 2010. The decision is prompted by the need to maintain the safety of road users in Dubai Emirate as well as realizing RTA vision of providing Safe & Smooth Transport for All.

Commenting on the move, the Director of RTA Licensing Agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan stated that RTA would embark on writing-off and removing vehicles whose licenses had expired two or more years back from Dubai roads as of next October in order to maintain the safety and security of road users in the Emirate.

“Failure to have a vehicle constantly used fully checked-up for two years or more renders it an unsafe means of mobility and accordingly pose a danger to the driver, passengers and goods on board, besides constituting a serious hazard to other road users in the Emirate,” stated Bahrozyan.

“By taking this course of action, RTA is targeting a big chunk of motorists who do not bother to renew their vehicles registration which had expired long ago; which means that they do not appreciate the importance of renewing their vehicle registration. Through pursuing this erroneous attitude they are exposing their lives as well as other peoples’ lives to danger, and rendering their vehicles liable to damage as the years pass by, due to the lacking maintenance & repair of faults which keep mounting up,” he continued.

“Ensuring the safety of these vehicles as well as the public ranks among RTA priorities and strategies and it has accordingly kept in place all measures that will be required to run the testing of vehicle whose registration had expired in the Emirate. RTA calls on all owners of vehicles with expired licenses to report to RTA licensing service centers or RTA website to renew their vehicles registration, improve the soundness and safety of their vehicles, and contribute to their own safety as well as the safety of others,” added the CEO of the Licensing Agency.

“Vehicle licensing service is being made available at different geographical zones across the Emirate 24-hours a day in addition to RTA website to save the time & effort of vehicle owners. RTA has also enhanced its e-services such that the owners of new vehicles, which do not need testing or those which have been tested, can surf RTA website to renew their vehicles registration online,” said Bahrozyan in a final remark.

Worth-mentioning that RTA has linked more than 44 insurance companies with the traffic system such that the details of the insurance certificate and the vehicle will be available online. The array of RTA licensing e-services provided include inquiry about any vehicle, renew vehicle registration, inquiry about driving license, renew driving license, review offences and pay fees, and inquiry about distinguished number plates.

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) called on motorists to exercise care and caution while driving during the holy month of Ramadan, as fatigue and drowsiness tend to impair the driver’s attention and consequently increase the chances of sustaining crashes.

Engineer Hussain Al Banna, Director of Traffic, RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, said that the aim of the awareness campaign rolled out by the RTA to educate motorists on safe driving practices during Ramadan was to reduce the number of traffic accidents and the resulting fatalities during the month to the least possible level, citing that the previous Ramadan had seen 239 traffic accidents resulting in 16 fatalities.

“The Campaign, which was run early August last under the theme: Accepted Fasting & Safe Road, used several tools to deliver its awareness message to the public such as the awareness brochure published in both Arabic & English that included several essential tips and instructions about how to avoid traffic accidents. The Campaign also included delivering awareness lectures at some public & private entities such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Dubai Ports in addition to displaying awareness flashes through RTA’s Virtual Messaging Signs,” said Al Banna.

The Director of Traffic added that during the Campaign RTA was keen on utilizing its human resources in delivering the awareness message to the largest possible pool of drivers, where the inspectors of paid public parking distributed awareness guidelines leaflets at all refueling stations of Emarat; one of RTA’s key partners in the Campaign.

The awareness brochure also included several awareness tips urging motorists to take sufficient rest before driving, and to stop to take a break if they feel exhausted, drowsy or yawning frequently as taking a break, though brief, might help the driver complete his journey.

The brochure also called on drivers who hear Maghreb Azan while driving to stop at the nearest petrol station or grocery to take a light Iftar – even if it was simply a cup of water and few dates – before resuming their travel.

It was also mentioned in the brochure that most traffic accidents that usually take place during Ramadan are attributed to the lack of leaving safe distance between vehicles. It called on motorists to comply with the sufficient distance requirement, and ensure that the seat-back is in an upright position, and have their heads up to ensure correct posture while driving.

The Public Transport Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RT), urged the public to use public & mass transport means in their daily travels whether across Dubai, or between the Emirate of Dubai and other Emirates, particularly after RTA has deployed sophisticated, safe and comfortable buses for this purpose coupled with the operation of the Dubai Metro and the availability of marine transport means and taxis.

Mohammed Abu Bakr Al Hashimi, Director of Planning & Business, Public Transport Agency, said: “The integration of public transport systems in any city or country is one of the key and most prominent indicators of the progress of that country or city in view of the vital and crucial role of public transport in boosting the development drive across the board, namely in economic, commercial, tourist and social fields among others”.

“RTA has made considerable strides down the track of broadening and improving public transport network in Dubai Emirate in a record time. Consequently, public buses cover now 100% of the Central Business District and 75% of populated areas. Moreover, Public Transport Agency has managed to improve the punctuality of bus departure and arrival timing to 70%; a key instrumental factor in attracting the public to use public transport modes. In addition to that, feeder bus service linking with the metro stations started to enhance the integration of the most two important mass transit modes,” continued Al Hashimi.

“The public need to get acquainted with the use of public transport means as their use has multiple benefits such as reducing fuel costs involved in using private vehicles; which have recently soared, easing the psychological and physical comfort by ridding motorists from the stress of daily driving in congested roads during peak hours, and reducing the maintenance bill of private vehicles, in addition to easing traffic congestion, crashes and environmental pollution; which in turn help improve the standards of public health, and increase per capita output in all sectors,” added the Director of Planning & Business.

“While the ridership of public buses is continuously on the rise, the number of registered private vehicles is showing a constant decline; which indicates that a wide spectrum of community segments are shifting to use public transport means,” said Al Hashimi in a final remark.

The 68th Distinguished Number Plate Auction recently held by Licensing Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) at the Theatre Hall of RTA Head Office saw a higher public turnout compared to previous auctions, and yielded gross returns as high as 12 million dirham following the selling of 92 distinguished vehicle licensing plates.

The Auction attracted participation of 120 bidders despite the current global economic meltdown and the fact that many of the targeted citizens and residents are currently spending their summer vacations abroad.

Commenting on the results of the Auction, the CEO of RTA Licensing Agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan said that the Agency offered in the last Auction several number plates highlighted by the two-digit numbers (G 58 and H 91) and the three-digit numbers (J 333 and I 786). These numbers were instrumental in escalating the competition among bidders considering their iconic references to the cultures of some UAE residents, he noted.

“The Auction was preceded by a marketing & promotional drive run by Vehicles Licensing Department in conjunction with RTA Marketing & Corporate Communication Department that included a press release, adverts in Arabic, English and other languages spoken by several UAE residents published in the daily local papers, internal promotional e-mail campaigns to the employees of government departments, distribution of leaflets in malls and car-parks, posting ads in the front of RTA web portal and other electronic means,” elaborated Bahrozyan.

The Auction was associated with a mini blood donation campaign run by Vehicles Licensing Department in cooperation with Blood Donation Center of the Dubai Hospital with the aim of reflecting RTA corporate responsibilities towards various sectors of the community, including patients and injured persons admitted to hospitals.

Worth-mentioning that a Thai delegation visited Licensing Agency on the eve of the Auction to benefit from RTA expertise in organizing distinguished number plate auctions, and attended the Auction proceedings to gain a practical exposure of the expertise gained.

RTA’s Licensing Agency has expanded its service delivery capacity by approving five vehicle insurers to process vehicle registration renewals for RTA clients.

This came in a press conference held yesterday morning at auditorium of RTA’s Headquarter through which the Licensing Agency unleashed an agreement it had signed with five vehicle insurers.

Ahmed Bahrozyan Licensing Agency CEO confirmed that the Licensing Agency had approved five vehicle insurers, called Trusted Agents, to renew vehicle registration for RTA’s customers. It means when a person renews their vehicle insurance with a Trusted Agent, the client can also have the insurance staff renew their vehicle registration with RTA at the same time. A visit to RTA is not required. The five approved vehicle insurers are Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance, Fujairah Insurance, Oman Insurance, AXA Insurance and Noor Takaful Insurance.

“The insurers use the same RTA’s online service that a person would use from their home. As part of the renewal process a person chooses if they want the final vehicle registration card sent to them by courier and when. But importantly, the Trusted Agent provides the person with an Interim or temporary license to allow the person to immediately drive their vehicle,” said Bahrozyan.

“This is part of the plan to make business with the Agency easier by reducing the need to visit RTA. When people renew their vehicle insurance with one of the five insurers, they can also complete the registration renewal at the same time,” he continued.

Linking with vehicle insurers increases the number of locations that people can now visit to renew their vehicle registration. It also means through the insurers, that the Licensing Agency has a presence in all UAE emirates for people to renew a Dubai vehicle registration.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has extended the working hours of the Water Bus during the holy month of Ramadan from 08 am to 10 pm – instead of 07 am to 07 pm, and the working hours of the Water Taxi from 10 am to 12 am (midnight) – instead of 10 am to 10 pm, and the new working hours are being observed throughout the days of the week including Fridays, announced the CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al-Dosari.

“RTA is keen on notifying all community members on any changes introduced to the working hours of public transport means such as the Water Bus and the Water Taxi during the religious events, holidays and national events as part of RTA endeavours to provide quality service at world-class standards in this vital field which underlies the prosperity made in all fields across the UAE as a whole and Dubai Emirate in particular,” said Al Dosari.

He called on the public to comply with the safety & security rules applicable on board the Water Bus and the Water Taxi; which were intended for the safety & security of all.

On the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and in the name of all its employees, RTA extends the best of greetings and good wishes to all hoping the occasion will be marked with growth and prosperity for the Arabic and Moslem worlds.