Tag Archives: dubai
RTA campaigns for safety during tram testing
RTA campaigns for safety during tram testing Lily B. Libo-on / 23 January 2014 Littering on the tramway line, crossing the tramway line from undesignated areas, entering a restricted area, interfering with the operation to invite fines. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is campaigning for public safety during the tram testing from January 26, until it finishes on November 10 this year. RTA, in coordination with the Dubai Police, will enforce fines in the event of an offence. The public is advised to stay alert and stay safe during the tram testing. Circumstances that call for fines are littering on the tramway line, crossing the tramway line from undesignated areas, entering a restricted area, interfering with the operation of the tramway or taking any action that would compromise the safety of the tram or the infrastructure, crossing the red light at the junction with the tramway and blocking the tramway without permission. In its brochure ‘Let’s Talk Safety, Your A-To-Z Guide to Dubai Tram Safety’, the RTA is urging everyone, especially those living near the tramway, to be aware of the signs and symbols to look out for. “The journey begins with safety,” RTA said. Among the signs the public is urged to be aware of and to follow strictly are the signs that say ‘Tram is under testing. Do not enter or use’, ‘Tram Right’, ‘Tram Only’, ‘Tram Ahead’, and ‘Tram Left’. RTA is cautioning the public, including drivers and cyclists, because Dubai Tram is sharing the road with pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. “If trams are running through the areas where you walk, you will need to take extra care and keep a look out for these signs,” RTA said. Driving cars alongside the tram is perfectly safe, the RTA said. “But, motorists should not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams, and should always give way to trams. Tramway at junctions is clearly marked.” lily@khaleejtimes.com fact box FOR CYCLISTS Do not cycle on the tracks as wheels may get stuck in the rail gap. Where trams run along the road, avoid following the rails to make sure they do not lead to a route reserved for the tram. Be extra careful where a track crosses the road as tram road users have their own traffic signals. When crossing the tracks, always check your surroundings and consider dismounting and crossing on foot. FOR DRIVERS You must not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams. Always give way to trams. Be extra careful where a track crosses the road as trams have their own traffic signals and maybe permitted to move when you are not. You must not stop or park your vehicle where it would get in the way of trams or where it would force other road users to do so. Look out for pedestrians, especially children, running to catch a tram, getting off a tram or bus or crossing the road. FOR PEDESTRIANS Always cross the tracks using a pedestrian crossing and pay extra attention when the tram is approaching. Always look in both directions before crossing the tracks. Avoid using headphones or mobile phones near the tram. Tram corridor is fenced to prohibit crossing. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
From one father of an ailing son to another
From one father of an ailing son to another Nivriti Butalia / 23 January 2014 Ali’s father gives the money he had after paying hospital bill to another needy father for treating his son. On Tuesday, Sayed Bawazeer’s three-month-old son Mohamad was released from ICU after spending three months at Al Baraha hospital. Sayed, whose salary is just Dh4,000, couldn’t pay the hospital bill of nearly Dh2,000,00, and he had to seek donations in order to get his son home. Readers came forward and the amount was secured. On Tuesday, the bill was finally paid. There was even some extra money. What Sayed decided to do with that money is a story and lesson in rare magnanimity – he gave the excess Dh30,000 to another needy father, Mohamed Altaf. By Wednesday afternoon, Sayed was on his way to visit Dubai Hospital where Altaf’s eight-year-old son, who is also named Ali, has been admitted in Dubai Hospital since August. Ali, ailing from bone marrow cancer has just had his 9 th round of Chemotherapy. Doctors want a bone marrow transplant to take place in February and Altaf is worried about the expense. Sayed visited Ali at 3.45pm on Wednesday. Ali’s father first refused the money, telling Sayeed that his son still had a hole in his heart, you will need this money for treatment. But Sayed stuck to his guns, spent time with Ali. “He’s such a sweet loving boy. We made a plan to eat pizza and home food once he’s out of hospital.” To read Ali’s full story, click here http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?section=nationhealth&xfile=data/nationhealth/2013/December/nationhealth_December23.xml For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Support Emiratis in repaying loans, UAE warns banks
Support Emiratis in repaying loans, UAE warns banks Nissar Hoath / 23 January 2014 Banks that do not support Emiratis to get their heavy debts cleared under a programme initiated by the President to be penalised. The Office of the Presidential Affairs on Wednesday warned that banks which fail to cooperate and help heavily indebted Emiratis will be penalised. “Those banks that do not support Emiratis to get their heavy debts cleared under a programme initiated by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in 2011 will also be penalised,” said Ahmed Jumma Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Fund for the Settlement of Bad Debts, at a Press conference after the opening of the fund headquarters in Al Jazira Club complex where Emiratis can visit and submit their applications for their bank debt waivers. Al Za’abi said so far the fund has helped 2,700 out of 6,000 applicants clearing debts of over Dh1.8 billion with the support of banks. “More than 50 per cent of the banks operating in the country have been very helpful and providing concession to help clear the loans of Emiratis under the fund programme. The other banks have been little helpful. However, if we don’t see any cooperation from these banks, action will be taken against them and (they will be) penalised,” he said without disclosing the names of the banks that did not take part in the initiative. He also said in case of non-cooperation, the names of the banks will be sent and published by the Central Bank, and there will be no cooperation and support from the government to these banks. Al Za’abi further added the fund has agreed to write off 50 per cent of the debtors’ loans, while the other half would be settled by the loans’ fund that would be reimbursed from the debtors through their salaries. He also said the fund was initiated by the President in 2011 with the allocation of Dh10 billion to help those Emiratis who were facing lawsuits or police cases related to their bank loans. To a question, Al Za’abi said the fund was established for the support of UAE citizens only and expatriates will not benefit from it. He also said under the fund programme, all criminal cases pending in connection with bounced security cheques and non-repayment of loans by Emiratis have been suspended and debts cleared. Al Za’abi, said most of the cases relate to, personal and car loans and loans sought for setting up small businesses. In March last year, the Shaikh Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development signed a joint deal with 34 defaulting Emiratis entrepreneurs to protect them from prosecution. The fund was established in 2007 with a Dh2 billion fund. nissar@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
