Perhaps a bit unfortunate name for a gas distribution company...
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Showing posts with label traffic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traffic. Show all posts
Shake a Dubai taxi
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced at the Gitex exhibition that it is all set to become a “smart” experience by year-end.
Passengers can expect the ability to do everything from “shaking” down a taxi to checking flights on board and paying by credit or NoL cards.
To begin with, a potential passenger needs to download the Smart Taxi app on his smartphone. It’s a free application, the first of its kind in the region, that allows him to book and track taxi orders in real time.
Once downloaded, a unique “shake-a-taxi” concept will allow the customer to fetch a cab by merely shaking his cellphone. The idea stems from the same gesture as waving your hand to flag down a taxi.
The customer would need to enter his contact number and the application will automatically look for available taxis nearest to him. When the cab is identified, the driver will confirm the pick-up and notify the customer in real time along its journey. “The customer will get all the details about the taxi, including the name and picture of the taxi driver by the time it reaches him.”
Instead of the current guessing work that is done to find out if a taxi is vacant, new smart taxi signs will leave no room for doubt. Every taxi on the road will have a message that clearly states if it is vacant, hired or booked, according to which it will show a green, red or orange light.
Once inside the taxi, the passenger can feel a difference. All taxis will have Wi-Fi, so the passenger can make the most of it. We will be installing LCD screens on which he can get flight information, make check-ins, find out about events and do a variety of other tasks.
The screens will be installed in phases and the Dubai Taxi fleet of 3,500 vehicles will be the first to get them. When the journey is over and it’s time to pay, the passenger can select three modes of payment: cash as is the current case, credit card or a smartphone-enabled NoL card. This is expected to be particularly beneficial to tourists who may not be carrying cash or the local currency. Passengers will also be able to rate the drivers’ performance on a five-star-scale when they disembark.
In addition to taxi bookings, the application allows passengers to schedule a taxi at any date or time. If the customer is near a taxi park, walking directions to the taxi will also be provided.
- Inputs from Xpress/Gulf News.
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UAE National Day - Car Celebrations
Every year on 2nd December it's UAE National Day to commemorate the date of the signing of the union between 6 of the 7 Emirates (Ras Al Khaimah joined a bit later). It's a public holiday and it is marked in different ways, i.e. by fireworks, posters and decorations throughout the emirates and laser-light displays on prominent landmark buildings. It's all very nice.
In the month prior to the occasion, the supermarkets, car dealers and petrol stations are full of UAE-branded merchandise to dress up one's vehicle for the event. That seems to be what most locals and some expats really do on their own: pimp their ride Emirati style.
For a nation that has come such a long way since it was founded only 42 years ago, it seems that it is the car that best symbolises the wealth and prosperity of the Emirates. Some would even say that the UAE went from camel to Cadilac in 25 years, so perhaps it is indeed very appropriate that patriotic affection for one's country be shown through the appearance of one's means of transport. One thing is certain: cars mean the world to most people in the emirates.
Some people and companies do it modestly: a flag mounted on a pick-up or a poster in the rear window. Others go the full monty and spend thousands of Dirhams doing their car up with everything from complete body wraps to posters of Emirs and Crown Princes to really show their love for the ruling royals.
So elaborate are some of these festive decorations that Dubai Police has found it necessary to issue a Decree to ascertain that road safety is not jeopardized too much by the bling.
Congratulations UAE on this 42nd anniversary of the union - and have fun with the celebrations. Just be careful, please.
Relief efforts underway as UAE hit by worst storm in years
It's the season in the UAE where you can expect a bit of rain, which, due to lack of proper drainage can cause some disruption of traffic. Like every 5th year or so. People might have to take their car to the car wash an extra time when the drizzle stops.
Boozy Friday brunches may even have to move indoors.
Our thoughts are with you all in this dark hour...
Read more about this breaking news story:
Relief efforts underway as UAE hit by worst storm in years | The Pan-Arabia Enquirer
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Licensed to Speed
New dedicated high-speed road suggested in the UAE
In spite of countless empirical studies over the years finding that speed kills and regardless of most other countries having put a maximum speed limit for road traffic, the head of Dubai Traffic Police has suggested making a specially dedicated road in the UAE for cars that want to drive at 200kph.
The force said the luxury highway is just an idea at this stage but a study
would be conducted to see how viable it is. The road would be between Abu Dhabi
and Fujairah and only those wanting to drive at high-speed could use
it. General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen said: “The idea can become a true
reality. Maybe we need a road for motorists with powerful cars who want to
drive 200kph. It would also be good for people who drive on a daily basis
between UAE cities.” - he was quoted as having said to 7Days.
He added: “There are studies saying that high speeds can’t make accidents unless there are other factors. Accidents can happen when a car driving with 140kph and then surprised with a car in front of it with 60kph.”
Al Zafeen’s suggestion came during the launch of the second year of the white points system which rewards drivers who have not committed any traffic offenses during the year for their good behaviour.
He said that the highway would need certain specifications and four lanes in two directions.
The speed-savvy Police General was also the driving force behind the recent acquisition by Dubai Police of a number of Lamborghinis and Ferraris to join the force's fleet of patrol cars for high-speed pursuit purposes.
He added: “There are studies saying that high speeds can’t make accidents unless there are other factors. Accidents can happen when a car driving with 140kph and then surprised with a car in front of it with 60kph.”
Al Zafeen’s suggestion came during the launch of the second year of the white points system which rewards drivers who have not committed any traffic offenses during the year for their good behaviour.
He said that the highway would need certain specifications and four lanes in two directions.
The speed-savvy Police General was also the driving force behind the recent acquisition by Dubai Police of a number of Lamborghinis and Ferraris to join the force's fleet of patrol cars for high-speed pursuit purposes.
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