Traffic fine relief in Dubai will arrive after holidays

Residents must clear their backlog at one go in order to benefit from the initiative

Dubai: Discounts on traffic fines in Dubai will be accorded approvals after Eid Al Fitr holidays, a senior official said.

Motorists will be entitled to a 30 per cent discount on traffic fines, as announced earlier by Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police.

Lieutenant Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, acting director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, said drivers with hefty fines against their names stood to benefit from the initiative provided they settled all their outstanding dues in one go and met other conditions to be announced later.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Al Mazroui praised the initiative of giving discounts on traffic fines. "This is considered ‘Eidiyah' for motorists to settle their accumulated fines," he said.

Initial announcement

The announcement about the discounts was first made by Lieutenant General Dahi through his Twitter account.

Dubai Police subsequently announced that discounts on traffic fines in the emirate have been approved by the Executive Council, but the timing and percentage of reductions would be announced later.

According to a ministerial decree issued last year by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, traffic departments in all emirates are allowed to offer a discount of up to 50 per cent on traffic fines.

The Abu Dhabi Traffic Department (including Al Ain and Gharbia) has been giving 50 per cent discounts on traffic fines since June last year.

Regarding Eid preparations in the police department, Lieutenant Colonel Al Mazroui said Dubai Police will distribute Eid greeting cards among the public instead of issuing fines for minor offences as part of their community outreach efforts.

He said police patrols have been intensified across the city, especially at places where crowds are expected, to monitor traffic movements and curb dangerous behaviour.

He called on motorists to abide by traffic rules to help uphold the joyous spirit of the festive season.

Source: Gulf News

Dubai Metro set to run until midnight

On weekends it will extend to 1am

Dubai: Dubai Metro will operate for longer hours, beginning September 3, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.

Trains will now run from 6am until 12 midnight on weekdays and until 1am on Thursdays and Fridays.

At present the timings are from 6am to 11 pm on weekdays and until 12 am on weekends.

The changed timings are being introduced as the Green Line is to become operational on September 9, RTA said in a statement yesterday.

 

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said: "Dubai Metro will be operated during weekdays from 6am to 12 midnight. On Thursday, the service will start from 6am and continue up to 1am, and on Friday the metro operation time will start at 1pm and continue running up to 1am."

"The decision to extend the metro operational hours is synchronised with RTA preparations for the launch of the metro Green Line on September 9, as this line will serve vital areas with high population density and malls visited by citizens, residents and visitors."

Survey

The changed timings have been decided based on a survey conducted among Metro users, where many preferred extension of the Metro timings to match the timings of the malls and recreational areas in the city.

RTA is keen on addressing the needs of the community in terms of mobility and smooth travel across Dubai, it said. The metro is considered one of the vital public transit means given its short-cut travelling routes offering speedy access to the intended destinations across the city.

"The total number of trains to be deployed on both the Red and Green Lines will rise to 50 during peak time and 28 during off-peak time. Thirty-six trains will be deployed on the Red Line during peak hours and 18 trains during off-peak hours, while 14 trains will be operated on the Green Line during peak hours and ten trains during off-peak hours, with a service frequency will be from 6 to 8 minutes," Al Tayer said.

Source: Gulf News

Energy drive eyes partly switching off street lights

About 40 per cent of lights in 55 residential areas earmarked

Dubai: As part of Dubai government's efforts to conserve energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the street lighting in 55 residential areas will be partly switched off at night, officials announced Monday.

About 40 per cent of the lights in each residential area will be switched off from 10pm every day, without compromising safety of road users by avoiding vital traffic spots.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has already kicked off the project, from August 1 in four areas — Al Khawaneej 1, Twar 1 and 2, and Umm Suqeim 2. The project will gradually be extended to the remaining areas.

Extremely vital

By the end of the year, all 55 areas will be covered, officials told Gulf News. The RTA's Energy Saving Team, comprising experts and specialist engineers from various affiliated sectors and agencies, is in charge of the project.

"Lighting poles located in medians of two intersecting roads, or at U-turns, roundabouts and intersections are being exempted from these measures as they are extremely vital for the smooth flow of traffic, and the safety and security of road users in the area," said Mohammad Abdullah Al Ali, head of RTA's Energy Saving Team and Director of Buildings and Facilities.

Low traffic

On an average 40 per cent of street lights in each residential area will be switched off, though this rate varies from one district to another based on several factors including the area of the district, and the number of street lights and so on, he said. The street lights will be switched off from 10pm, considering the drop in the street light usage rate, and the low traffic movement during these hours, Al Ali said.

Pilot project

A pilot project was conducted in Al Warqa'a 4 area to assess the energy savings, whereby officials found a 30 per cent reduction in electrical consumption (per kilowatt hour, kWh).

"The reduction in kWh means reduction in the CO2 emissions. One kWh reduction equals 0.597kg of CO2 reduction."

This decision is in line with the Dubai Government Strategy 2015 to achieve sustainable development, which always seeks to conserve various resources of the UAE, including electricity, he added.

Source: Gulf News