Tag Archives: tsi
Dubai Tram to put leisure, business districts on the map
Dubai Tram to put leisure, business districts on the map Lily B. Libo-on / 2 March 2014 Accessibility and mobility within Dubai, particularly in the new leisure and business districts of the emirate, will be improved as the Dubai Tram becomes functional by November this year. Tram facilitates zero-emission and hassle-free travel around new communities. — KT file photo The tram spanning 10.6km from Dubai Marina to Al Sufouh, is expected to transport about 27,000 riders per day at the start of operations in the initial phase in 2014. The technical trial run concludes on November 10, and the ridership is expected to hit 66,000 per day by 2020. The world’s first tramway that uses Platform Screen Doors in passenger stations fully synchronised with the tram’s doors opening and shutting mechanism, the Dubai Tram started testing without passengers on January 26 at Zone 1. In an interview with Khaleej Times , Abdullah Yousif Al Ali, Acting CEO, Rail Agency and Transport Authority of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said a series of 11 stations will provide a faster and more reliable way to get around the new communities in the area with zero emission and hassle. He said that the trip to Downtown Dubai and major business hubs of Dubai will be more convenient and hassle-free by the new integrated multi-modal rail system of Dubai. “The Dubai Tram will be running mainly along al Sufouh Road to link the Knowledge Village and Dubai Marina,” he added. A series of 11 stations along the way will give passengers access to and from shopping malls, hotels, offices and residential developments. Dubai Tram will run in both directions simultaneously, departing at six minute intervals, seamlessly linking the Dubai Metro to leisure and business hubs in the Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Internet City, Media City and Knowledge Village. “The Dubai Tram project complements the Dubai Metro Red Line, serving the city’s economic nerve-centre, the premium resorts and beaches that are at the heart of the city’s tourism trade, its prime residential areas and vibrant business centres,” Al Ali said. Dubai Tram is expected to transform the life of people within its catchment areas for the better. It will offer everyone a smooth, safe and spacious ride right in the heart of where it all happens. “Apart from its convenience and amazing features, the introduction of Dubai Tram will hugely benefit the community in creating a street culture of its own. It will also play an important role in paving the way for better commuting,” said Al Ali. lily@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Federer trounces Berdych to clinch sixth title in Dubai
Federer trounces Berdych to clinch sixth title in Dubai Alex Leach / 2 March 2014 Roger Federer came back from a set and a break down against Tomas Berdych to clinch his sixth Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship title here on Saturday night. Federer broke in the third game of the first set as Berdych netted a forehand, but he lost his own service game immediately thereafter with similarly sloppy play off the same wing. The Swiss was broken again when a poor second serve sat up nicely for his 28-year-old opponent, whose forceful return could only be directed back into the net by Federer. Berdych thus had the initial impetus and he kept that momentum for the remainder of the opener, winning it with a characteristically strong serve to Federer’s backhand that meekly found the net. The Rotterdam Open winner then looked to be honing in on his second tournament win in succession as another wayward Federer forehand coughed up another break of service. However, just as Federer’s challenge looked to be cruelly falling short at the final hurdle, he retaliated with two breaks to force a crunch third-set decider; Berdych’s backhand and forehand misfiring at the crucial moments respectively. Another long Berdych forehand in the fourth game there handed the perennial winner and all-time record holder here a two-game cushion and he didn’t look back from that point on. Berdych’s failure to capitalise on some crucial break point opportunities in the seventh game perhaps adversely affected his service game in the subsequent eighth as Federer scented victory. He still staved off two championship points to make Federer serve for the half dozen, which he did with typical aplomb to close it out 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 58 minutes. “I’m really happy with my game tonight and for the week,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “It has been tough match clearly and Tomas had the advantage. He could — and maybe should — have brought it home. “I guess I got a little lucky at times out here tonight, but I fought well and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome at the end of course. I stayed calm and then, once I was I got back on even terms, I really started to play better. “I really enjoy playing against Tomas. He’s a great player and he’s had a great streak as well, what with winning in Rotterdam and reaching the semis of the Australian Open, so I wish Tomas all the best for the coming weeks as well.” This win in the emirate was the 78th on the ATP Tour for Federer, who moved above John McEnroe in the all-time list to outright third behind Ivan Lendl (second, 94) and Jimmy Connors (first, 109). It also places Dubai among the Swiss’ happiest hunting grounds alongside the Barclays ATP Tour Finals (six), Halle (six) and — of course — Wimbledon (seven). Federer collects $465,830 and 500 Emirates Airline ATP Ranking points as a consequence, whereas Berdych pockets $210,020 and 300 Emirates Airline ATP Ranking points for his runner-up finish. alex@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Star Rating is open to local, foreign governments: Shaikh Mohammed
Star Rating is open to local, foreign governments: Shaikh Mohammed Staff Report / 2 March 2014 The Star Rating Initiative intends to bring about a quantum leap in the efficiency of government services as per global standards. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has invited UAE’s local governments and other foreign governments to join the Star Rating Initiative for Customer Service Centres, which is similar to the hotel industry’s ratings. Launched last week, the Star Rating Initiative intends to bring about a quantum leap in the efficiency of government services as per global standards. Shaikh Mohammed announced earlier that the Star Rating system is obligatory and will be applied on 400 Federal Government’s service centres. The new rating system will give a number of stars from two stars to seven stars based on world’s private sector standards to indicate the level of service to the clients with the participation of foreign evaluators. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said that the UAE Government has received several inquiries about the project from other governments. Accordingly, Shaikh Mohammed has issued his directives to promptly provide all the detailed manuals, guidelines, assessment handbooks and technical support to all local UAE governments and other foreign governments. Al Gergawi explained that the Star Rating Initiative project contains many technical details related to service quality assessment, customer relations management, human resources and technical applications; and all patents and copyrights are officially registered for the UAE Federal Government and approved by the Arab League as standardised specifications for customers’ services. The project aims at changing the concept of the government sector’s services in general in order to be more competitive with the private sector in addition to meeting the needs of the clients. It also establishes a new and transparent model in customer service as well as manages the expectations of the public when dealing with the centres for government services. So far, 75 Federal Government services centres had been evaluated. The classification is based on a comprehensive and integrated operational evaluation processes. By the end of each evaluation, the centre receives detailed recommendations to improve and enhance its services in eight standards: strategic alignment, customer centricity, services, service delivery channels, customer experience, service efficiency & innovation, people and technology. (With inputs from Wam) news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
