Daily news brief: Wednesday, 23rd July 2008
RTA legalises car-pooling
By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: July 22, 2008
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has legalised car pooling by launching Sharekni, "a share your car service."
The move aims to give people a way to legally car-pool in Dubai and encourages motorists to share rides and cut traffic congestion.
Abdul Aziz Malek, CEO of the Dubai Taxi Agency at the RTA, announced the launch of the free service yesterday in the form of a dedicated website.
"The services comes after extensive field studies carried out by a specialist team in the Public Transport Agency (PTA) in collaboration with a global consulting firm, which found that car occupancy is 1.6 person per one private car and this is one of the factors that is worsening the problem of traffic jams on the streets and roads of Dubai," he said.
Malek said those sharing cars with relatives and friends need not register. RTA inspectors check vehicles only if they suspect that someone is picking passengers up on the road or using their vehicle as an illegal taxi.
Database
He said the those interested in car-pooling should visit the RTA's website to register.
The website offers various options, which includes a search to find drivers or passengers in a certain company or emirate.
The PTA will maintain a database of subscribers and car owners. Residents can log on to either one of the two websites, the dedicated website or the RTA's website, and register to acquire a six-month valid permit and be part of the car-pooling service. Parties may agree a fee between themselves or share costs.
Malek said the maximum number of passengers in one car is four and all their names must be mentioned on the permit.
Currently, RTA inspectors issue a Dh5,000 fine to motorists for car-pooling or running an illegal taxi. The fine is aimed at stopping people from using their cars as illegal taxis. But there have been numerous complaints of motorists being fined while sharing cars with friends and colleagues.
Mohammad Bin Fahad, Acting Director of Planning and Business Development at the PTA, said the initiative will help lower costs commuters incur by using one car for sole use in addition to reducing stress caused by traffic jams especially during peak hours.
He said it will also contribute to reducing emissions from the large numbers of private cars, which means cutting pollution. "The service will also contribute effectively in reducing the phenomenon of illegal taxis, as all passengers in one car will have to be registered and their names mentioned on the permit which the driver will carry."
For car-pooling register at website
www.sharekni.ae or the RTA's website
www.rta.ae.
Stress buster
Residents said the service would not only ease traffic on roads but also minimise road rage. Almost all of them agreed it would also lessen the burden on their pockets.
Mohammad Rizwan, a Pakistani, currently car-pools. He said: "Five of us travel from Sharjah to DubaiMediaCity. All of us hold valid UAE driving licences and own a car. Each one of us takes turns to drive the rest of our colleagues to work every day. In my view car-pooling has lessened the stress level when driving in traffic and getting stuck. We all chit-chat and reach our office in a happy mood."
Avinash G., an Indian computer analyst who lives in Bur Dubai, uses car-pooling to reach his place of work in Jebel Ali.
"There are four of us in the car. A couple of us get off on Shaikh Zayed Road while the rest get off in Jebel Ali. We are all charged Dh150 per month by the driver who runs this service. He is an office boy who after dropping us goes to work. He comes to pick us up after he leaves his work at 6.30pm. I have to wait half an hour after work for him but it's worth the wait. I used to drive and I hated the traffic. I only take my own car out during weekends or to run errands," he said.
Raziya Kazmi, a Bangladeshi who works as a secretary has no intention of getting a driving licence of her own. She lives in Hor Al Anz and has been making use of a car-pooling service run by an office boy. "I have been using the service for two years. I work in Rashidiya. We are charged as per the location of our workplace. For example I pay Dh200 a month, a fellow passenger whose office is on Shaikh Zayed Road is charged Dh250. The public buses are so overloaded and so I prefer car-pooling. It is economical."
To register log on to: www.sharekni.ae
New procedures for visit visas to start soon
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: July 22, 2008
Dubai: Applications can be filed starting next Tuesday for new visit visas which were revamped under a Federal ruling last June, a senior residency department official said on Tuesday.
The new fee schedule for the visas, which range from visit visas to visas for medical treatment should have started August 1, according to an earlier announcement, but have been pushed forward due to the weekend holidays.
July 30 is an official government holiday. The rules apply to nationalities who currently have to get sponsorship before arriving in the country.
The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and the Economic Department will meet with representatives of hotels, tourist agencies, hospitals and educational institutions on Wednesday to brief them on how the changes will be implemented.
Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of DNRD, reiterated the fact that all visitors should have health insurance cover and sponsors have to pay a Dh1,000 refundable deposit.
He said the visit visa holder will be allowed to enter the UAE once within two months from the date of issue of the visa. According to the amendments, there will be 16 new types of visas.
Residents can apply for a visa for their spouse or blood relative. Expatriates will not be allowed to sponsor friends. And sponsoring other blood relatives will require approval of a senior officer.
Under the new rules, expatriates cannot apply for relatives who wish to come to the UAE for medical treatment, only hospitals can.
'No instructions given'
Typing centres still do not have a clue what applications to fill out when new visa rules come into effect.
"We are aware new visa rules will be implemented soon but we are still working on the same old visa and residency applications," said Mohammad, an employee at a typing centre in Jafiliya, Dubai.
"So far everything in our system is the same, including the online fees. So far, we have no instructions on the changes," said Ali at a typing centre in Sharjah.
The Federal authorities announced 16 types of visas and new fees under the revamped rules earlier in June. These include visas for medical treatment to entry visas for students.
Under the rules, expatriates are not allowed to sponsor friends to visit the UAE.
New visa fees in Dhs
Short Entry (visit) Visa - 500 (1 month)
Long Entry (visit) Visa - 1,000 (3 months)
Multiple Entry Visa - 2,000
Entry Visa for Study - 1,000
Renewal of Study Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Medical Treatment - 1,000
Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences - 100
Tourism Entry Visa - 100
Renewal of Tourism Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Residents - 100
Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions - 100
Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions' Visa - 200
Mission Entry Visa - 200
Transit Entry Visa - 100
Source: B.A.J./GULF NEWS
Management Tip of the day
When someone offers a less-than-stellar suggestion, don't tear the idea down or ignore it. Instead, use it as a building block. Say: "That's interesting. Who can suggest a twist on that idea?"