RTA issues ‘NOL Special Design Cards’ with images of Dubai landmarks

RTA issues ‘NOL Special Design Cards’ with images of Dubai landmarks

Dubai- Roads & Transport Authority- Manal Khalid:
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has made a new edition of the Personalized Blue Nol cards featuring special designs of Dubai landmarks such Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Bastakiya, Clock Roundabout, and the Trade Center in a bid to familiarize visitors, as well as residents, with iconic landmarks of Dubai Emirate.

Mohammed Al Mudharreb, Director of Unified Fare Collection Card, RTA Technical Support Services Sector, said: “The exclusive edition of Nol Special Design Cards issued recently has a unique designs featuring images of famous landmarks that contributed immensely to making Dubai the premier tourist destination in the region. These items have been selected on the basis of their importance and repute not only at the national level, but also overseas, and in captivating the attention of people, thanks to their unique blend of heritage and modernity.

“The RTA is issuing various editions of Nol cards to match national and social events, giving users of mass transit means a sense of exclusivity in bearing historic icons of the Emirate. It also marks a contribution to furthering the concept of national identity, besides encouraging people to buy Nol cards to use them in various mass transport modes (public buses, metro or marine transport) in an exercise that saves time and effort in paying transit fares in Dubai,” continued Al Mudharreb.

“Documents required for applying to the Nol Special Design Cards include: photograph, ID card, and credit card. Clients can then visit Nol portal (www.nol.ae), press Nol Store in the overhead Menu, select the design they fancy, and then apply for the service by filling the application form and attaching the required documents such that the e-payment process can then be made. The Card will be delivered within 14 working days and remain valid for 5 years,” said the Director of Unified Fare Collection Card in a final remark.

It is note-worthy that buying various categories & designs of Nol Personal cards can only be made through Nol portal, and cards are sold at rate of 100 dirham, inclusive of the design and application fees.

Empower selects Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group for shoring and enabling works in its new district cooling plant in Business Bay

Empower selects Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group for shoring and enabling works in its new district cooling plant in Business Bay


Bin Shafar: “Project delivery in less than 3 months, while Empower will give preference to local companies in the tender for building the plant”

Dubai, UAE, 18 February 2013: Empower, the largest district cooling company in the Middle East, has awarded Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group LLC (HSSG) the contract for carrying out shoring and enabling works in its new district cooling plant in Business Bay.

The new plant is the first district cooling plant to be constructed in Dubai compliant with the new TSE and TES requirements, as per Dubai Executive Council Directive for conserving environmental resources, including water, in providing district cooling services.

Once ready, the new plant will provide 34,000 RT, catering to the needs of the Business Bay residents, businesses and offices.

Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower said: “We awarded this project to Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group LLC (HSSG) as the company is handling projects of similar nature in Business Bay. We always select our constructors after due diligence and we have chosen this company for its record and experience in the UAE in this domain.”

He added: “The implementation of the contract will take 3 months. We are getting ready to open the tender to appoint the primary constructor to build the plant, with preference being given to local companies and those that we worked with in the past. The new plant will serve the needs of residents and offices based in Business Bay around the area of Al Khail Road. It will increase the production capacity of Empower by 10 percent once it is up and running.”

Empower, the joint venture between Tecom and DEWA, provides district cooling services to leading real estate projects in Dubai. The company provides more than 400,000 RT of district cooling where it has highly contributed in disseminating district cooling technology that is a better alternative than conventional district cooling to be used commercial and personal wise.

New luxury five-star Asian-inspired hotel and spa on Palm Jumeirah receives official building completion certification; green light for summer soft opening

Seven Tides celebrates Palm Jumeirah building completion milestone

New luxury five-star Asian-inspired hotel and spa on Palm Jumeirah receives official building completion certification; green light for summer soft opening

Dubai-based real estate developer Seven Tides, has received the green light to
hand over its Asian-inspired resort development to management company Anantara Hotel Resorts & Spa. The Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa has been awarded a Building Completion Certificate (BCC) by Trakhees, the Government of Dubai’s planning and development department.

Occupying a prime beachfront position on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, The Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa will feature 293 hotel rooms and 456 condominium apartments, and is set to open in Q3 2013.

“The BCC is much more than just a piece of paper; it represents a major milestone in the development of this stunning resort and spa complex, and signifies that we are in the final detailed stages of completion, as well as allowing us to begin the process of applying for official operating licenses and permits,” said Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides.

In a first for the UAE’s diverse hospitality sector, the resort will offer 18 stilted ‘over water’ villas and 15 absolute beachfront suites - including three 206-square-metre royal beach pool villas where 50% of the rooms in total boast direct water access from their balconies. With Asian-style pointed roofs, exposed vaulted ceilings and an al fresco ambiance, the decor and layout are reminiscent of upmarket hideaway resorts found in the Maldives and Thailand.

“This is yet another example of Seven Tides’ ability to conceptualise, develop and deliver true mixed-use concepts to the market. The success of existing projects such as Oceana, which has become a preferred beachfront residential destination, and the landmark hotel, residence and office product available under the Ibn Battuta Gate banner, have set the benchmark for multi-asset class developments in the emirate,” said Bin Sulayem.


Seven Tides commitment to creating five-star environments that embrace a live, work and play philosophy include its iconic Ibn Battuta Gate location, which includes a luxury hotel managed by Swiss hotel operator Mövenpick, apartment building with 156 stylish one and two-bedroom apartments, and office tower spanning 11 floors.

The 644 Oceana Residence apartments, located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah offer spacious one to three-bedroom units with high quality finished and
panoramic views over the private gardens and beach. A luxury lifestyle development, the complex includes a private infinity pool, lazy river and beach, and jogging track, landscaped recreation areas and a gymnasium.

For more information, please visit www.seventides.com

About Seven Tides

Based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, privately owned Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Currently focusing on hospitality and real estate sectors, Seven Tides thinks progressively, works creatively, partners strategically and acts quickly. The result is a current portfolio of offerings from landmark hospitality acquisitions and commercial buildings to residential towers and multi-use complexes in the gateway cities of London and Dubai.

Dubai Metro Green Line serves 37m riders in 2012

Dubai Metro Green Line serves 37m riders in 2012

Dubai- Roads & Transport Authority- Manal Khalid:
The Dubai Metro’s Green Line is becoming more popular with ridership hitting 37,576,839 passengers in 2012 and the growth rate is sustained through this year, clocking 3,827,895 passengers last January. These healthy statistics are a result of the substantial integration with other mass transit means, as well as the wide coverage of residential & commercial areas, business districts, and various cultural, sports, and health venues, rendering it the metro a uniquely preferred transit means serving different destinations of riders.

Adnan Al Hammadi, CEO of RTA Rail Agency, said: “The Green Line of the Metro, which stretches 23 km and comprises 12 elevated stations and 8 underground stations, meets the mobility needs of people in various key parts of the Emirate as it passes through a vital corridor starting from Etisalat Station; which attracted last year 542,291 passengers, and has a prime geographical location being situated at Al Qusais, Al Nahdah Road, in an area characterized by high population density and considered a major destination for riders hailing from Sharjah Emirate and neighbouring Emirates. The station features a multi-level park-and-ride facility; which is linked with a bus station, and the facility is also linked with air-conditioned pedestrian bridges providing access to the Metro Station.

“The Green line goes through a number of stations such as Al Qusais Station which was used last year by 1.102 million passengers, Dubai Airport Free Zone Station which attracted 2,232,963 passengers, Al Nahda Station which served 1,430,435 passengers, and the Stadium Station which received 1,969,994 riders last year. These stations serve highly populous residential districts, and key commercial & sports centers such as Al Ahli Club, Lulu Center, Al Bustan Center, Al Ittihad Cooperative Society at Al Tawar, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works, and the Service Center of the Municipality of Dubai,” stated Al Hammadi.

The HQ Station, which is adjacent to the premises of the General HQ of Dubai Police, was fairly busy with the number of passengers hitting 1.049 million passengers and the station is fitted with an air-conditioned footbridge linking with the other side of Al Ittihad Road to serve passengers heading towards Al Mamzar Center and various business outlets in the area. Next comes Abu Hail Station; which is a popular destination for many passengers with the number of riders using the station clocking 1,422,122 passengers as it is a popular business community packed with shops, commercial centers (such as Abu Hail Center, Sanaa), health centers and schools. Moreover, it is considered one of the stations providing multi-modal integration with various mass transit means due to the availability of the Bus Station, and an air-conditioned shelter for waiting bus passengers.

Abu Baker Al Siddique Station mostly serves the business community in a locality teeming with retail shops, building material outlets, hotels, and commercial centers; which contributed to raising the number of passengers using the station to as much as 2,274,984 passengers last year. Then comes Salah Uddin Station; which is situated in the heart of the Dubai Central Business District nearby commercial centers, and apartments, with passengers count hitting 2,659,777 riders.

Then comes Al Ittihad Station; which is a transfer station in which the Red and Green Lines intersect and offers riders transfer between the two lines to continue their trips to their final destinations, besides being in close proximity to the Dubai Business District. The Green Line then passes to Bani Yas Station which served last year 4,379,949 passengers as it has a prime geographical location, and the Palm Deira Station which is another tourist destination visited by 1.513 million passengers last year.

Then comes Al Ras Station which is a key station situated near the old commercial district of Dubai and a popular destination for visitors & tourists with the number of riders last year recording 1,447,959 passengers. Al Ghubaiba Station, which is located in the vibrant district of Dubai such as Al Bastakiya, and Al Shindagha and the Heritage and Diving Village, attracted last year 3,292,924 passengers.

About other stations, the CEO of Rail Agency, said: “One of the key stations on the Green Line is Al Fahidi Station; which tops the stations in terms of the number of passengers using stations on the Green Line in 2012 recording 4,582,606 passengers, thanks to its location and specialty as a venue for selling electronics, computers and main banks.

“Burjuman Station is the second station in which the Red and Green Lines meet and is featured by bordering Burjuman Station and other diverse commercial & residential units. Then comes Oud Metha Station which attracted 2,885,576 passengers last year, and has a location close to cultural & sports clubs. Dubai Healthcare City meets the needs of a wide spectrum of community members, receiving 1,008,370 passengers,” added Al Hammadi.
“During a short time span, the Green Line made huge achievements in attracting considerable numbers of community members to use the metro. It has also complemented the successes made by the Red Line of the Dubai Metro; which recharges our determination to continue endeavours towards broadening the rail network in future,” said the CEO of Rail Agency in a closing remark.

First global Empower-sponsored District Cooling and Heating Design Manual is approved at ASHRAE Conference 2013

First global Empower-sponsored District Cooling and Heating Design Manual is approved at ASHRAE Conference 2013

Bin Shafar: “UAE led from the front to create this global manual with funding from Empower”

Dallas, USA, Dubai, UAE, 2 February, 2013: The first global District Cooling and Heating Design Manual, exclusively funded and sponsored by Empower, the largest district cooling company in the MENA region, was approved at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Conference 2013 which concluded in Dallas in USA.

The international manual was given unanimous approval by the members of the technical committee, in the presence of ASHRAE President and Mr. Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower.

UAE is the first country to sponsor the release of this international manual that will serve as reference for district cooling (DC) and heating design. Empower funded all the studies and research required to create the manual. Moreover, the company supported the manual with a case study on its Business Bay plant room.

Incepted in 1894, ASHRAE, the patron of the manual, is an international organization with 51,000 members across the world.

Bin Shafar said: “Empower is proud to be the only district cooling company in the world to support the research and studies for the international manual which has been designed as a global reference point for district heating and cooling. We believe it will raise the bar on the standards in these two industries across the world.”

DC is developing rapidly in the Gulf which significantly enhances the role it will play by ensuring implementation of unified DC measures across the world.

The approved manual is a stand-alone publication which through its deep focus on planning, design, and operation covers issues relevant to district cooling and heating applications in all regions of the world, including the Middle East.

Available to engineers and experts in district cooling and heating industries, the design manual includes the following sections: Introduction, System Planning, Central Plant Room, Distribution System, End User Interface, Thermal Storage, Instrumentation and Control, Operations & Maintenance, System Enhancement and Case Study.

ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

RTA launches new water bus line in Dubai Marina

RTA launches new water bus line in Dubai Marina

Dubai- Roads & Transport Authority - Nashwan Atta’ee
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has officially kicked off two days ago a new water bus line shuttling between the Mall and The Walk of Dubai Marina in the presence of Essa Abdul Rahman Al Dossari, CEO of Public Transport Agency; Ahmed Al Matroshi, Managing Director of Emaar Properties; and Isam Galadari, CEO of Emaar Properties. The event was also attended by a host of directors of the Agency, officials from both parties and a horde of media representatives in the UAE.

Al Dossari reiterated RTA’s commitment to delivering what it takes to enhance the tourist water transport sector in the Emirate through working hand in hand with official and semi-official entities including Emaar Properties; which, he says, has made and is still making unprecedented achievements in the realties sector, contributing effectively to broadening and uplifting the burgeoning urbanization of the Emirate.

“We are here today with Emaar Properties to launch together a new water bus line to serve the visitors & tourists of Dubai Marina, and ferry them between the Mall and The Walk in short but enjoyable cruises during which passengers will be treated to a safe transit, picturesque scenes and charming water views,” said Al Dossari, who elaborated the water bus service to the officials of Emaar Properties.

Ahmed Al Matroshi, Managing Director of Emaar Properties, was impressed by RTA projects & initiatives which have had a significant impact on the advancement of Dubai Emirate in keeping with the far-sighted vision of Dubai Government and its ambitions to shape Dubai as a metropolis that has all the ingredients of safety, security and decent living.

This line will be operational 12 hours a day from 10 am to 10 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and from 12 at noon to 12 at midnight on the weekends. The service will run at 15 minutes headway and the trip will take 7 to 9 minutes.

The Water Bus fare on this route is only AED2 to encourage the public to use the mass transit means.

The Water Bus, which provides a convenient and safe transit experience across Dubai Creek, is fitted with luxurious seats with ample room, LCD screens and other features that make passengers on board, special needs included, enjoy a unique transit experience.
The Water Bus has a dual base design tailored to ensure highest stability levels, and is considered the best and most accessible mode of crossing Dubai Creek. Operating over five lines, the Water Bus offers a unique opportunity for passengers and tourists to explore the glamour of Dubai Creek in an exciting & a fresh manner. As part of endeavors made to provide passengers with maximum amount of convenience, each marine transit station is fitted with kiosks to deliver snacks, magazines and newspapers.

RTA opens key sectors of Parallel Roads Project

RTA opens key sectors of Parallel Roads Project

Dubai- Roads & Transport Authority:
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) announced the opening of several road & bridges works in JAFZA (South) forming parts of the mega Parallel Roads of Sheikh Zayed Improvement Project. The Project spans an area extending in the north from the road leading to Al Hodh R/A, running across the internal roads and terminating near the 10th Intersection on Sheikh Zayed Road, and bordering Sh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd to the south.

The Project comprises improvement of the Eastern & Western Parallel Roads in both directions within Jebel Ali Industrial Area, and JAFZA South through constructing six bridges and four footbridges to ease the pressure on Sheikh Zayed Rd, and the Industrial Area. It will also establish a link between the investment and economic zones of Dubai World’s projects, connecting them with the surrounding roads, besides linking Jebel Ali Port with Al Maktoum International Airport, and providing a road leading to the Expo Road of JAFZA.

Last May, the RTA opened the service road leading to the Expo Road, and last December it opened the lane linking Al Maktoum Airport with JAFZA South.

12 light signals have been commissioned in the Parallel Roads Project within the Business Bay area; linking Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Khail Rd and the Business Bay area, and offering smooth traffic flow in Emaar, Business Bay districts through the Eastern and Western Parallel Roads.

“The Parallel Roads Project is one of the biggest projects undertaken by the RTA and is set bring about positives to the Business Bay district in terms of easing tailbacks in the area for the benefit of residents of towers parallel to the Sheikh Zayed Road, serving the traffic inbound from Sheik Zayed Road heading towards the Business Bay district, and linking Al Khail Road with the internal roads of the Business Bay district,” said Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency.
“RTA projects cater to the rapid increase of Dubai populace which dictates the provision of infrastructure to keep pace with such growth rates. The Project promises to be a landmark achievement in a series of planned roads, bridges, tunnels, light signals and directional signage set to be undertaken in the Emirate in future.

“This mega and vital Project will also bring about investment, economic, traffic and demographic benefits, contributing effectively in bolstering the profile of Dubai as a city capable of measuring up to the infrastructural requirements of trendy cities set to play a vigorous role in shaping the global economy.