Category: News

DUBAI: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a number of contracts under a three-year plan to improve 22 bus stations and depots (16 bus stations and 6 bus depots).

The project scope covers carrying out infrastructural works on buildings, providing comprehensive passenger facilities, passenger waiting terminals, driver service offices, bus overnight parking spaces, engine maintenance workshops, and dedicated bus inspections and maintenance bays. The overall objective is to introduce a new, holistic service experience that significantly improves the quality of public transport services.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, stated, ‘Building public bus stations and depots forms a key part of RTA’s strategy to enhance the public transport infrastructure. It aims to encourage the community to opt for public transport in their daily movements. The project goes beyond the traditional function of stations, aiming to not just facilitate passen
ger mobility but to enhance the overall travel experience. This encompasses offering comprehensive services that contribute to passenger happiness, improving accessibility for people of determination, providing bicycle racks, and ensuring seamless connectivity with Dubai Metro and taxi services.’

The project covers enhancing 16 stations designated for public bus passengers including nine stations at Deira and seven in Bur Dubai, namely: Mall of the Emirates, Sabkha, Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Ibn Battuta, Hatta, Gold Souk, Al Qusais, Deira City Centre, Al Ghubaiba, Union, Al Satwa, Al Rashdiya, Abu Hail, Etisalat, and Al Karama. The bus passenger terminals will be renovated along with building facades, system infrastructure works will be implemented, and prayer rooms will be added at select stations.

The project covers also developing six bus depots at Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Al Ruwyyah, Al Aweer, Jebel Ali, and Al Quoz. These will see the revamping of inspection lanes, providing engine wash lanes, drainage syste
m improvements, floor maintenance, and the installation of new system infrastructure and rehabilitating public facilities.

In addition to providing drivers residential quarters at Jebel Ali and Al Quoz Depots, the scope of exterior works across all stations covers installing traffic signals and sidewalks, revamping external lights, infrastructure work for security systems, redesigning the bus parking yards at five stations, and adding initial test zone at Al Khawaneej, Al Ruwyyah, and Al Aweer depots.

In 2021, RTA completed the construction of several public bus stations across key areas in Dubai, including Al Ghubaiba, Union, Al Jaffiliya, Oud Metha, Al Satwa, Etisalat, Al Baraha, International City, and Dubai International Airport (Terminal 3). These stations were designed with an emphasis on integrating transport requirements and standards to enhance city connectivity. The aim was to facilitate safe and smooth access for residents to and from mass transit stations, ensuring pedestrians and cyclists can
easily access these facilities.

Furthermore, these enhancements are aimed at establishing a welcoming and accessible environment for People of Determination, linking various transport modes and development projects, and surrounding attractions through the development of first and last-mile requirements. By offering elements like public bus parking, cycling lanes, pedestrian crossings, gorgeous landscaping, and bike racks, RTA seeks to encourage walking and using of individual mobility options.

RTA has an advanced fleet of public buses, distinguished by their exceptional safety, comfort, and quality standards. These buses adhere to the “Euro 6” European regulations for reduced carbon emissions, setting a precedent in the Middle East and North Africa. They are fitted with comfortable seating and adhere to rigorous safety protocols. The buses have a low-entry feature to facilitate easy access and egress as well as dedicated spaces for People of Determination, to offer exceptional services to public transport u
sers with their elegant interior designs.

Source: Emirates News Agency

The Ministry of Interior in Sanaa commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him, and the Great Battle of Badr, with a rhetorical event.

At the event, the Director General of Human Resources at the Ministry of Interior spoke about the qualities of Imam Ali, his courage, work, and jihad.

Source: Yemen News Agency

NUR SULTAN: The Kazakh Ministry of Emergencies announced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people, half of them children, in seven regions due to floods caused by the rapid melting of snow.

The ministry said in a statement that 10,587 people, including 5,101 children, were evacuated in the regions of Turkistan, Aktobe, Kostanay, West Kazakhstan, Akmola, Ulytau and Abai. There are also 5,497 people in temporary accommodation centres, including 1,739 children.

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov had earlier said that the current floods in the country are the largest in recent years.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: 125,765 people convicted of various types of drug crimes were tried at State Security Court (SSC) during the last four years.

Out of this total figure, 110,425 suspects were found guilty of drug crimes, including three who carried 314 kilograms of cocaine from South America to sell to their victims in Jordan.

Over the course of 223 days, which began on May 25, 2023, and ended at beginning of March of 2024, “Petra” investigated these cases at Jordan’s courts and found that between 2020 and 2023, the SSC convicted more than 110,000 people of drug crimes involoving trafficking, possession, and promotion, with an average conviction of 75 people per day in Jordan.

During 4 years, “Petra” found that 110,425 convicts of drug crimes carried and concealed 26,336,380 narcotic pills, 19,143 kilograms of hashish, 329 kilograms of cocaine, 91 kilograms of hashish, and 684 kilograms of marijuana.

In the years extending from 2020 until February 13 of 2024, the SSC examined 83,515 drug cases, at a rate of 20,878 c
ases per year.

Additionally, the SSC issued rulings against 110,425 people for drug crimes between the years 2020 and 2023 out of 125,765 defendants.

The rate of those convicted suspects during these years reached 92% and prison sentences reached up to 30 years and death penalty in cases that involved

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza: Israeli forces Sunday killed four Palestinians and injured 17 others after bombing the tents of displaced persons in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip.

The government media office in Gaza said, “The occupation forces committed a new massacre by bombing several tents for journalists and displaced people inside the walls of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital at the peak time of the movement of patients, wounded and displaced people, killing and wounding several.”

According to a statement, the office condemned in the Israeli warplanes’ attack against a hospital that provides medical and health services to displaced persons, calling on international, regional and local organisations to condemn “this terrible crime” and to urge Israel to stop its aggressive war and protect hospitals.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The National Center of Meteorology and Early Warning expects thunderstorms in several provinces, and very active winds that will cause sea turbulence during the next 24 hours.

According to the weather forecast issued by the centre, a copy of which was received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), heavy thunderstorms are expected, which may be accompanied by hail, in parts of Sa’ada, Amran, Hajjah, Al Mahwit, Sana’a, Dhamar, Raymah, Al Jawf, Marib and Shabwa.

The Center called on citizens in areas where rain is expected to fall, to be careful and not to be in the paths of torrential rains and the depths of valleys during and after the rain.

It warned vehicle drivers on mountain roads against crossing ground bridges when torrents are flowing, and against the noticeable decrease in horizontal visibility as a result of the formation of fog .

The Center also warned fishermen and seagoers in Bab al-Mandab, Gulf of Aden , the western coasts of sea turbulence and waves rising to five metres.

Source: Yemen News Age
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