Dubai Mall Sky Bridge by Dec-end

Will be open to Metro passengers and other pedestrians

Dubai An air-conditioned sky bridge connecting the Burj Khalifa Metro station to the Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai will be ready by year-end, a top official told XPRESS.

Dubai An air-conditioned sky bridge connecting the Burj Khalifa Metro station to the Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai will be ready by year-end, a top official told XPRESS.

Engineer Matha Bin Adai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said on Monday: “Emaar is currently constructing a link bridge that connects the Burj Khalifa Metro Station to the Dubai Mall. It will facilitate pedestrian movement.”

“The project is a design and build project by Dutco and is expected to be completed by the end of December,” he said.

The 820-metre walkway is expected to come as a huge relief to Metro passengers going into Downtown, especially during the summer months.

Unlike other major malls such as Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre, the Dubai Mall is currently not immediately accessible to Metro passengers. They have to take connecting buses or walk a good 10 minutes to reach the mall from the Burj Khalifa Metro Station.

The link will be open not just to Metro passengers but also to pedestrians with exit routes along its length and access stairs. It is expected to considerably reduce vehicular traffic in the area.

According to Emaar, the Dubai Mall Metro Link, as the bridge is called, will comprise five travelators in either direction with a central walkway.

Travelling at an average speed of half a metre per second from the Burj Khalifa Metro Station entrance, the travelators will pass through the Downtown Dubai development before entering Dubai Mall.

Further connections to Emaar Square, Boulevard Plaza and Emaar Boulevard have also been planned.

Once complete, the travelators are expected to carry more than 13,500 people per hour.

http://gulfnews.com

RTA launches Arabic Tongue initiative

The editorial board of Al Masar magazine, published by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently launched the ‘Arabic Tongue’ initiative as an educative electronic tool aimed to prop up efforts of promoting the national identity and presenting the linguistic knowledge in a stylish & attractive manner through a host of modern technological means topped by RTA intranet, and the social networking sites (Twitter and Facebook) in a bid to reach to the largest number of peoples within the RTA and beyond. 

















The new initiative comes in line with the initiatives launched by Al Masar to boost the national identity, particularly as far as the Arabic language is concerned. For this purpose, the publication dedicated a number of pages to give an artistic review of the poem entitled “The Eternal Language” written by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, through which it touches on the Mission and Methodology HH intended to inspire among his people depicting love & glory for the Quran’s language.
Al Masar will continue featuring the “The Eternal Language” poem till the end of the year as it constitutes an unprecedented support to the national identity, and offers a huge backing to all defenders of the Arabic language since it relates to a personality considered amongst the biggest champions of national & Pan Arab causes. The poem was so rich in contents that it astonished critics, writers and poets who have seen the traditional poems of HH, but haven’t had come across eloquent poems of HH. Al Masar will run the review of this poet in seven successive episodes to cover its 53 verses.
Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication at RTA Corporate Support Services Sector, and Head of RTA National Identity Team, said: “The new electronic initiative comes in the aftermath of the “Arabic Tongue” page launched by the magazine a couple of years ago, and has now introduced a breakthrough development starting from Issue 52 to match the electronic display style. As part of the initiative, on the Sunday of each week educative e-mails will be transmitted to highlight a number of common language errors entrapping considerable numbers of employees and writers in a way thatchange the meaning and might lead to a misunderstanding of narrations such as the holy Quran, Sunna and classical Arabic legacy. Arabic language linguists will attend to examining & researchingknown common language errors before uploading informative briefings about them onto the three portals.
“The team running the initiative has dedicated Monday to test the artistic memory of readers where a poetic verse extracted from the crème of Arabic poetry, and readers will be prompted to tell the writer, and the reply will be revealed in the following week. This piece has received an overwhelming welcome by readers within and outside the RTA.
“On Tuesday, the Team will narrate key errors in feminine & muscular expressions particularly in some confusing words often wrongly used to the extent that many people think that it is a correct.
“Followers of this initiative will be treated to a story of an Arabic axiom and how the utterance has evolved into an adage and maxim.
“The program will be wound up on Thursday by a column “Ask Scholars” in which the team of the initiative will respond to the queries of interactive readers and reply to all their linguistic and artistic questions,” added Al Busmait.
Al Masar review will not be restricted to pages dedicated to the national identity launched earlier such as “My Nation, Arabic Tongue, Our Green Land” pages, but opted to introduce “Sea Treasures” page as well as “Breezes” page; which runs an introductory about tourist areas of our gifted land. The series started with Jees Mountain; which has a year-long cool weather and is expected to turn into a summer resort for Emiratis in future, and will continue rolling by featuring Wadi Al Hilo attractions in the forthcoming 52nd Issue.

rta.ae

184m riders used Dubai Metro

The Dubai Metro is celebrating on Sunday 9 September 2012, its third anniversary amid considerable success indicators of operational efficiency in terms of complying with on-time journey schedules as well as the highest international safety standards, and the metro ridership which clocked 184 million passengers from the start of operation through the end of August 2012.

On this day in 2009, the Dubai Emirate celebrated the opening of the Red Line; which extends 52 km and comprises 29 stations (4 underground, 24 elevated, and 1 at the grade). After two years of the Red Line operation, Dubai also celebrated on 9 September 2011 the launch of the Green Line; which spans 23 km and comprises 18 stations (6 underground, 12 elevated), and the two lines intersect at Khalid bin Al Waleed and Al Ittihad Stations.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), said: “This huge success has gone beyond the boundaries of the Emirate to the world over, stamping the prominent standing of Dubai as a distinctive metropolitan city and a hub for business as well as sophisticated living standards. The Dubai Metro is also viewed as an iconic addition to the landmarks and high-flying achievements of the Dubai Emirate, particularly as it used cutting-edge technology of the rail industry, and carved a niche for itself as the world’s longest driverless metro project.
“The Dubai Metro project is a brainchild of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in providing an integrated infrastructure of road networks and transit systems comprising railroads, public buses, marine transit modes and modern traffic technologies in the context of HH endeavours to provide an integrated transit system capable of matching the sweeping development seen by the Emirate and measuring up to its futuristic ambitions. The project also comes in implementation of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 in general and the Infrastructure & Environment Sector in particular with a view to offering a smooth mobility, enhancing transit safety levels, and making mass transit systems the ideal choice of mobility,” continued RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director.
Al Tayer was delighted with these positive indicators depicting a growth in the Dubai Metro users, and demonstrating that RTA plan for increasing the ridership of mass transit systems was moving in the right direction. Such indicators also revealed a shift and evolution in the culture of the community towards embracing mass transit systems as peoples started to perceive the benefits & advantages of using public transport such as the psychological relief, physical comfort and handy mobility experienced besides economizing on the outlays on fuel and vehicle maintenance.
“The number of commuters using the metro Red Line from the start of operation on 9/9/2009 till the end of last August totaled 151,781,357 passengers, showing a sustained growth in jumping from 1.8 million passengers in October 2009 to as much as 3.3 million passengers in August 2010, and rocketing to 6 million passengers per month during the second half of this year. The ridership of the Metro Green Line from the initial start of operations on 9/9/2011 till the end of last August hit 32,592,310 passengers rising from 2.4 million in October 2011 to 3 million passengers in July last.
“These indicators avouch that the RTA is making headway in its drive to realize its strategic objective of ultimately raising the share of public transit means to 30 per cent of the total number of trips by 2030, whereas such ratio clocked 10 per cent in 2011. The massive investments injected by the Dubai Metro in upgrading the infrastructure of public transport sector proved both feasible & effective in bolstering the economic development witnessed by the Emirate of Dubai under the prudent leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also acted as a catalyst to reviving the business process, boosting the tourist activities, and offering safe & smooth transit systems capable of facilitating the mobility, propping up the economy and raising the competitive edge of Dubai in hosting international events such as conferences, sports events, and horseracing among others. Investment on public transport will also result in conserving the environment, slashing the financial repercussions associated with traffic congestions, and shifting the demand for mobility services from private vehicles to public transit means.
Milestones of the Dubai Metro Project:
• July 2005: The Designing & Constructing of the Dubai Metro Project contract was awarded to the Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) consortium.
• 21 March 2006: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the construction works of the Dubai Metro project in an official ceremony held in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
• 29 July 2006: Casting of the first concrete pier for the elevated track of the Dubai Metro between the 6th and 7th Interchanges of Sheikh Zayed Road.
• 10 Jan 2007: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the initial drilling works of the Dubai Metro tunnels by pushing the button of the giant Tunnel Boring Machine (Alwugisha) marking the start of the tunneling works from Al Ittihad Station to Khalid bin Al Waleed Station passing under the bed of the Dubai Creek.
• 7 March 2008: The first batch of 10 metro carriages arrived in Jebel Ali Port.
• 20 September 2008: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the trial run of the Dubai Metro on the test track.
• 9/9/2009: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the official operation of the Red Line traveling over 10 stations.
• 9/9/2011: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the official operation of the Green Line of the Dubai Metro.

rta.ae

World Expo Dubai, UAE 2020 bid film. Ali's Film.

Stay in world’s tallest tower - Burj Khalifa - for just Dh999

Owner of one-bed apartment iconic tower offers flat for less than Dh1,000 per day

iving in the world’s tallest tower is now just a thousand dirhams away, if advertisements on Dubai-based websites are to be believed

  

photo credit Chandra Balan 

The owner of a one-bed apartment in Burj Khalifa is leasing his flat for Dh999 per day. That is close to 40 per cent cheaper than the average daily rate of a deluxe room in the Armani Hotel, also in the Burj Khalifa.
The advert, posted on a local website, reads: “You can save up to 80 per cent on your costs by staying with us. The apartment has a breathtaking view of Downtown area.”
The average daily rates for deluxe room, according to the Armani website, are Dh1,630.
Current asking rents for studios in the Burj Khalifa range between Dh90,000 and Dh130,000 per annum (pa), while one-beds are available for between Dh130,000 and Dh180,000 pa. The rents vary view- and floor-wise.
In February, Mohammed Shael, Chief Executive Officer, Business Registration and Licensing in Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED), told Emirates 24|7 that renting apartments on short-term was an economic activity and individuals will need a license to be able to offer such service.
“The business activity would require the individual to incorporate a company through Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing,” Shael had said.
In June, the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), posted notices in The Palm and Discovery Gardens, stating, owners were not allowed to rent residential units on short term lease since this activity is solely restricted to hotel apartments companies.
“In case of non-compliance, the department will take necessary legal action against violators," it said.

emirates 24|7

Hi-Tech meters in luxury taxicabs

The Public Transport Agency at the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), being responsible for operating the taxi sector in the Emirate of Dubai, has introduced an advanced meter technology in high-end taxicabs (limousine) run by RTA’s Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). The move marks a new advanced step depicting the relentless endeavours and growing attention of the RTA to introduce cutting-edge technologies in transit means.
  







RTA Dubai
 
 The new technology is represented in the installation of smart telephone of Samsung Galaxy brand in our limos to function as meters through the Android Apps. The gadgets are linked to the Booking & Despatch Center of the Agency and furnish the system with all information relating to the journey,” said Adel Shakeri, Director of Transport Systems at RTA Public Transport Agency.
“The pilot technology is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East involving the use of a hi-tech system powered by dedicated software in the mobile phone that computes the fare of the trip and receives & handles customers booking requests from the Booking & Despatch Center.
“The program facilitates the linking of Limos with the Booking & Despatch Center; enabling the tracking of Limo cabs and retrieving operational reports that offer operators information about its fleet vehicles, and pinpointing their positions in the map, besides generating reports of trips made by these vehicles.
“The program has the feature to address customer requests of Limo cabs through contacting the Booking & Despatch Center at Public Transport Agency. The launch of the program was timed with the debut of the VIP taxi service offered by the Dubai Taxi Corporation on a trial base on 20 Limos,” elaborated Shakri.
It is note-worthy that the Dubai Taxi Corporation has recently launched the VIP Taxi Service under the theme “New Dimension of Transport Luxury” to meet the objectives set for this sort of taxicabs in delivering luxurious service to high-end customers of the DTC at the Airport and other vital facilities in the Emirate. The service differs from the ordinary taxi service as it features high levels of luxury and privacy. The service is accessible inside and outside the Dubai International Airport by request from the Booking & Despatch Center of the Agency.

rta.ae

RTA adds more NOL cards selling outlets

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently added more selling and recharging outlets of the Unified Fare Collection cards (Nol cards) by adding City Group, Grand City Mall, and Lulu International Exchange LLC to the lineup of RTA-approved selling agents. The move stems from RTA's keenness on broadening the realm of its service offering to enable users of mass transit systems (comprising Dubai Metro, public buses, and the water bus) to use them, besides being used by the public to pay for the public parking fees in Dubai.


NOL Cards

Yousef Mohammed Al Mudharreb, Director of Automated Fare Collection at RTA Corporate Technical Support Services Sector, said: "It is quite important to offer more selling outlets of Nol Cards in order to serve a wider segment of public transport commuters, particularly with the launch of the Dubai Metro Green Line on 9/9/2011; which has played a crucial role in integrating the mass transit systems in Dubai, thereby serving a large number of key districts and landmarks of the business sector in the Emirate.
"To activate this Decision, the Automated Fare Collection Department at RTA Corporate Technical Support Services Sector, opted to increase the selling & recharging facilities of all types of Nol cards by signing bilateral agreements with each of: Citi Group, Grand City Mall; which are among the leading business entities in the UAE and have a wide spectrum of selling outlets having as much as 120 opened outlets including 15 recharging outlets at Citi Group Hypermarket, and 12 selling outlets, including 4 recharging outlets, at Grand City Mall, in addition to 14 selling outlets at Lulu International Exchange.
"The new selling outlets will adhere to the same terms & conditions applicable to other selling outlets operating since the launch of the Nol card, including offering unified prices at all the new and the existing outlets.
"The RTA is always seeking to beef-up the channels & outlets of distributing its services & products in cooperation with a host of government & semi-government entities as well as private organizations to cater to the rising demand for its services by mass transit users in Dubai Emirate. We would also like to commend the role played by the outlets of Citi Group, Grand City Mall and Lulu International Exchange spread all over the UAE,” said Al Mudharreb in a final remark.

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