Du, the integrated telecom service provider, was recently honoured by the Road and Transportation Authority (RTA) for providing Dubai Metro with the world’s first-of-its-kind WiFi network. The award was presented during a ceremony awarding the ‘Strategic Partners Participating in the Execution of the Dubai Metro Project.’

Metro users able to surf and ride thanks to du-supplied WiFi.

Present at the ceremony, held at the RTA’s headquarters in Dubai, was HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA. Jihad Tayara, Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Du, received the award on behalf of the telecommunications company.

“We would like to thank the RTA for presenting us with this award. It is an honour to have played a part in the successful implementation of the Dubai Metro, and to have our participation recognised.,” commented Jihad Tayara.

Under its partnership with the RTA, Du provides a WiFi service to Dubai Metro, supplying wireless broadband to both metro trains and stations. More info

Dubai’s transport authority said Tuesday it is on track to lease all vacant retail outlets across Dubai Metro’s Green and Red line stations by the year-end.

The Dubai Metro is offering 195 retail units for lease

As many as 195 units were offered for rent across at stations on both rail lines in October, and the RTA confirmed it was holding talks with a number of retail firms.

“We have a couple of companies interested, but a deal hasn’t been signed yet,” said Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of Dubai’s Rail Agency. “We expect to have it all rented in a couple of months. Part of it is already rented.

“[Potential retailers] have to be sustainable businesses,” he said. “We are also looking for long term partners, and recognised brands are preferred.”

He declined to specify how many of the metro’s retail units remained vacant and whether rents had been reduced in line with current economic realities.

More than 84 million passengers have used the Dubai Metro since its launch in September 2009, according to RTA figures.

The launch of the Green Line, which added a further 18 stations and 23km to the existing rail network, is expected to drive passenger figures to 100,000 a day, the RTA said.

The launch of the metro’s Red Line in 2009 sparked a bidding war among retailers vying to secure the premium spots. But the difficult economic climate is expected to subdue demand during the second round of leasing.

Al Hammadi said the RTA may look to lift an existing ban on eating and drinking on the trains in a bid to encourage food and beverage sales in the stations and boost their appeal to retailers.

“We want to make sure people can behave properly first, as we want to keep the metro clean and tidy,” he said. “So we are not doing anything [immediately], but maybe in the future.”

The RTA said in September it planned to offer a limited number of metro stations up for company sponsorship, allowing firms to rename the sites. More info

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the start of construction works in the internal roads projects at Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3 located in an area bordered by Sheikh Zayed Road to the east, Al Khail Road to the west, Umm Suqeim Road to the north, and Street 331 to the South. Last week construction works have been completed in the internal roads project at Al Mizhar and Muhaisnah, and the completion rate in the internal roads project at Nad El Sheba 2 has touched 92%.

Mattar Al Tayer.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA commented that the construction of road projects at residential areas stemmed from the determination of the RTA to improve roads network to cope with the requirements of demographic growth & expansion in the Emirate under the vision of the RTA to provide Safe & Smooth Transport for All.

“Internal roads construction project at Al Barsha 1, 2 and 3, which covers an area of 1300 hectares, comprises internal roads and lighting works spanning 116 km, construction of new roads extending 56 km, and improvements on the existing roads stretching 51 km. The importance of the project is highlighted by the remarkable urbanization rate which clocked 85% in the area and the sprout of malls & commercial centers. The project contractor started construction works last July and the project is set to be constructed in four phases and is scheduled for completion by the first half of 2014,” said Al Tayer.

Early this year, RTA Board endorsed the construction of internal road projects at three residential districts: Al Khawaneej 1, Al Barsha 1, 2 & 3 and Al Warqa 1, 2, 3 & 4, revealed Al Tayer.

The internal roads project at Al Khawaneej 1, which is a populous area with urbanization rates hitting 65%, comprises design & construction works of the unpaved internal roads (main and local) in the rest of Al Khawaneej residential area 1 (District No 281) along with lighting works in an area spanning 425 hectares, and roads extending 38 km. Construction works in the project are expected to start in the last quarter of 2011 and take about 16 months to complete.

The internal roads project at Al Warqaa1, 2, 3 & 4, which occupies an area of 1154 hectares, comprises the construction of road and lighting works extending 118 km including the construction of new roads (92 km) and improvements on the existing roads (26 km).

“Al Warqa has a distinctively active urbanization drive as it houses the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Project consisting of more than 500 residential units and has seen an urbanization rate as high as 65%. Construction works in the project are set to start in the first quarter of 2011 and conclude after about 30 months,” added Al Tayer.

Completed Roads

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director also stated that during this month of September RTA has completed a number of internal roads at Al Mizhar and Muhaisnah encompassing the construction & maintenance of secondary arterial roads extending 7 km, collector roads stretching 8 km, and local roads spanning 46 km in addition to the construction of road-side parking, rehabilitation & planning of roads, and setting up of traffic signage & light signals.

“Completion rate of internal roads at Nad El Sheba 2 has exceeded 92% and all works are expected to be completed by the last quarter of this year. The project, which is part of roads improvement phases of Nad El Sheba 2, located between Al Manama Road, Al Ain Road and Emirates Road, comprises the construction of internal roads extending 14 km and two roundabouts, in addition to pavement of alleyways, street lighting and sewage works,” added Al Tayer in a concluding remark.

Dubai: Nol cards which are mandatory to use all modes of public transport including Dubai Metro and public buses in Dubai are now available at petrol stations in the emirate.

“The new steps has been taken to ensure that Nol cards are easily available to public transport passengers across the emirate,” said CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The Nol cards were earlier sold only at the Metro stations, bus stations and vending machines at the bus stops.

The RTA has signed an agreement with Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) to sell Nol cards at 90 ENOC and EPPCO stations as well as Zoon Conviences Stores at the metro stations.

“RTA always seeks to broaden the channels and outlets for distributing its products and services in cooperation with several government and semi-government bodies as well as private organisations to meet the growing demand for RTA services by public transport users in Dubai,” said Al Madani.

The 23km Green Line will be inaugurated today by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The line will open for public on Saturday, September 10, from 6am onwards.

Surpassing the Road and Transport Authority’s (RTA) annual target of 35 million passengers, Dubai Metro has transported 84.2 million passengers in the first two years of its operation.

Celebrating its second anniversary with the launch of a second line, the network is expected to further grow in popularity with an expected daily ridership of well above 250,000.

The 23km Green Line will be inaugurated today by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The line will open for public on Saturday, September 10, from 6am onwards.

World’s largest driverless rail network, Metro is a symbol of Dubai’s drive to be a truly global city. And coming at a time when the world economy is still reeling from the effects of economic recession, it will surely send right signals to those it matters.

“The completion of the vital Dubai Metro project culminates the continual support and attention of Shaikh Mohammed to uplift the infrastructure of Dubai, and epitomises RTA Strategic Plan, which is aligned with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, aimed at providing integrated roads and transit systems, while ensuring smooth mobility and highest safety levels,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, in a statement on the eve of Green Line’s inauguration.

Completed at an estimated cost of Dh28 billion, the rail network is one of the biggest infrastructure projects taken up in the region and has already inspired many regional cities.

With fares being one of the  lowest in the world and many special passes launched by RTA recently, Metro has made commuting cheaper and easier for common man, while also reducing traffic congestion and parking woes.

True to its moto, the journey so far has been smooth as well as safe, with only minor glitches reported occasionally. The RTA’s three sprawling depots and maintenance centres – two for Red Line and one for Green Line – which can together accommodate around 150 trains, have set world class maintenance standards, ensuring that the trains are in perfect shape all the time, every day.

shafaat@khaleejtimes.com

DUBAI: The much awaited Green Line of Dubai Metro  opens on Friday and passengers coming from Sharjah can take a ride from the Etisalat Station in Al Qusais, the starting point of the 22.5km line and the closest connection to Sharjah.

Dubai Metro

To make access to Dubai’s Metro easier, Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) has launched bus routes over four months ago that provide easy access to Al Qusais.

The routes are No.113, Sharjah-Al Qusais and No.111 that commences from Sharjah International Airport.

“Being located at Al Qusais, Etisalat Station is one of the key stations of the Green Line that serves passengers hailing from Sharjah and neighbouring Emirates,” said the Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Mattar Al Tayer.

“For this reason a parking space has been provided to accommodate about 2,350 vehicles for the time being with a capacity to raise the parking space to 6,000 vehicles,” Al Tayer added.

According to the arrangements from the STC, passengers can buy tickets from bus stops and other areas as well.

For example, Route No.111, which stems from the Airport, has ticket stops available at Sajaa area, the Fifth Industrial Square in Sharjah, as well as Al Qusais Dubai Metro Station and Deira in Dubai.

For route 113, the ticket spots are available along the First Industrial Road, the Third (J&P) the Tenth (Gecko), the Eleventh (Roundabout Bin Laden), and the Fifteenth Industrial areas (the National Paints).

In anticipation of the Green Line, RTA launched a monthly subscription service to Nol Blue Card and re-zoned Dubai into seven zones instead of the previous five.

The monthly subscription to Nol Blue Card comprises three tiers tailored to cater the needs of various public transport commuters, according to Al Tayer.

Subscription to the first tier, which costs Dhs100, enables the subscriber mobility using various public transport modes (metro and buses) within one zone.

Subscription to the second tier, which costs Dhs180, enables the subscriber mobility within two zones.

Whereas subscription to the third tier, which costs Dhs270, enables the subscriber mobility in all zones served by public transport means.

“The subscriber has to specify the area within which he or she intends to commute at the time of subscription in the first and second tiers only.”

“However, it is possible for the subscriber to change the subscribed zone upon the expiry of the monthly subscription,” clarified Al Tayer.

No only passengers benefit from the Green Line but also commercial centres that are located along the Line.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued exclusive Silver and Gold Nol Cards for public transport users in Dubai Emirate to commemorate the opening of the Green Line of Dubai Metro scheduled for launch on Sept 9th in a limited edition of about ten thousand cards only.

CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani.

Explaining the new cards, the CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector Abdullah Al Madani said, “The new cards feature a special design marking the opening of the Metro Green Line.”

“RTA is always seeking to roll out excellent ideas that fit effectively and positively with the key events. This has prompted us to offer public transport riders in Dubai Emirate a chance to acquire distinctive new fare cards in a limited edition to mark the opening of the Green Line; which is one of the key projects undertaken by the RTA over the past years for which it committed all potential resources to make the metro the prime destination of mobility across the city,” he said.

All these exclusive Gold and Silver Nol Cards will be sold exclusively through the metro stations in order to offer the best means of paying fares in Dubai through the use of a unified card good for use in all mass transit modes such as the metro, public buses, and the water bus besides the possibility of using it in paying parking fees, which saves much time and effort of commuters.

Dubai: The 23 km Dubai Metro Green line will be launched on September 9, 2011, by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

* Image Credit: Virendra Saklani * A Dubai metro train passes a station near Al Mulla plaza in Al Qusais during a trial run on green line.

The Green line will consist of 18 stations in addition to two transfer stations; Union and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Stations, that will link the Green line with the Red.

“According to the study carried out by the RTA for the areas covered by the Green Line, 14 trains will operate during peak hours and 10 trains during off-peak hours with a service frequency (headway) ranging from six to eight minutes. The number of trains operating on both the Red and Green lines will increase to 50 during peak times and 28 during off-peak times,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

“The Green line will include 16 stations. Etisalat Station, which is situated at Al Qusais near Emirates Road; will be the starting point of the Green Line,” said Al Tayer. “The station is linked with a multi-level Park-and-Ride terminal with a capacity to house 2,350 vehicles as well as a bus station to encourage the public to use the Metro.” More info

The Rail Agency, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with SERCO (Operator of Dubai Metro) has launched last month a campaign to educate the metro riders on all rules, regulations and proper practices applicable on board the metro carriages, and also benefit & entertain them during the transit time.

The Director of Rail Operation, RTA Licensing Agency, Ramadan Abdullah.

The Director of Rail Operation, RTA Licensing Agency, Ramadan Abdullah, said: “We in the RTA, in coordination with the Operator of the Metro, are always seeking to deliver a package of services to improve the metro service and boost the confidence of riders.

Therefore we opted to launch an educative campaign for the metro commuters in the form of a 2 minutes video footage displayed on all the 44 trains operating daily on the Red Line through the on-board display screen mounted to all train cars.

The campaign will also be launched on the Green Line once inaugurated next September.”

The video showcases a number of regulations & guidelines to be complied with to ensure customers satisfaction and avoid offences which are mostly attributed to poor passengers’ knowledge about these guidelines. More info

Ending your fast inside the Metro trains during Ramadan will invite a fine, a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official has warned.

Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Operations of Rail Agency at the RTA, said: “Eating is not allowed on the trains. And this rule won’t change. Anyone inside the train who wants to end his fast can just disembark at the next station. People can sit on the chairs in the platforms and eat.”

Abdullah said parents who wish to feed their babies must also disembark at the nearest Metro station — but should not feed their baby inside the trains.

“Honestly, we’ve seen someone feeding a child on the train and wiping her hand on the seat. Others wouldn’t like to use dirty seats. Hence, we would like to protect other commuters by avoiding possible spillage of food or mess created while eating. We also have to protect our assets. We don’t want to end up with dirty and smelly units.” He also pointed out that many train stations have small restaurants and convenience stores that sell food and beverages. “Eating in the Metro station platform area is already allowed, and it will be allowed after the end of the fast,” he said. He also urged commuters to follow local laws and avoid eating and drinking at the Metro stations during the fasting hours.

Read more:  http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/no-ending-fast-on-dubai-metro-rta-1.844145