Dream Dubai Marina photos, Marina 101 Tower, Dubai Marina, 16/October/2013

RTA launches new Ferry, Water Bus lines

RTA launches new Ferry, Water Bus lines

The move coincides with the Public Transport Day

Dubai- Roads & Transport Authority – Nashwan Atta’ee:

The Marine Transport Dep’t at Public Transport Agency, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has unveiled new lines for the Dubai Ferry and the Water Bus starting from November 1st, coinciding with the 4th Public Transport Day 2013.

Hussain Khansaheb, Acting Director of Marine Transport, RTA Public Transport Agency, said: “The Agency will open two new lines for the Water Bus at the Dubai Creek and the Dubai Marina. The first line will offer a service at 7 am starting from Al Seef Station and heading towards Bani Yas Station and the Dubai Old Souk in round trips with a 15 minutes service frequency (headway). The second line at the Dubai Marina will be expanded to link four stations namely; the Marina Terrace, Marina Walk, Marina Mall and the Marina Promenade in both directions with a 15 minutes headway.

“The revamped line of the Dubai Ferry will shuttle between the Dubai Marina and the Dubai Creek. In the Dubai Creek the journey will move from Al Ghubaiba Station to the Dubai Marina starting at 11 am, and the other journey will start at 10:30 am in the direction of the Floating Bridge and continue up to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and back to Al Ghubaiba Station in a one-hour journey. Passengers will be served in both journeys with coffee and tea. The other journey will start at 03 pm off Al Ghubaiba Station in the direction of the Floating Bridge and up to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and back to Al Ghubaiba Station.
“As for the Dubai Marina, the first morning journey of the Dubai Ferry will start at 11 am in the direction of Al Ghubaiba Station, and an internal journey will start at 3 pm and last for one hour. At 4 pm, a journey will start from the Marina featuring a more tourist-oriented cruise to pass by Burj Al-Arab and Atlanta Hotels, offering passengers opportunity to shoot stunning pictures for these iconic tourist landmarks in Dubai Emirate in a trip that takes about one hour in both directions,” continued Khansaheb.

The Ferry is one of the latest and biggest marine transit modes operated by the RTA in Dubai and used as an additional express transit means to serve new communities, Dubai Creek, Jumeirah coastal line, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and Water Fronts projects. This modern marine transit mode, which has the capacity to accommodate 100 passengers, extends 32 meters in length, 8 meters in width and travels at a speed of 24 knots per hour and is fitted with high class entertainment means for on board passengers.

The Water Bus is another air-conditioned, convenient and safe marine transit means launched in 2007 shuttling in stations on the Dubai Creek. The boat is fitted with convenient seats, ample space and advanced LCD monitors among other features that provide an enjoyable travelling experience for all passengers, special needs included. It has a dual base design to offer high stability that makes it the best and smoothest transit means plying the Dubai Creek. Through its five lines, the Water Bus provides passengers and tourists a superb opportunity to explore the Dubai Creek in a new and thrilling cruise experience, besides offering riders unlimited amounts of convenience and safety.

Sukoon Tower photos, Dubai Marina, 16/October/2013

Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai doubles room inventory

Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai doubles room inventory

150 new guestrooms expands offering by 130% with a further 75 rooms and suites planned; three new dining outlets and poolside & terrace upgrade as visitor numbers to Dubai continue to rise unabated
The award-winning Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, has just completed the current phase of its expansion programme, adding 150 new superior rooms to the existing inventory of 115. The business-focused premier four-star hotel, will add a further 75 club rooms and suites before the end of the year, making a total of 341 bedrooms.

Located on the first four floors of the extension, the 40-square metre superior rooms are equipped with corporate travellers in mind and feature an executive working desk, 40-inch flat screen television, WiFi internet access, coffee and tea-making facilities and a spacious bathroom with separate bath and walk-in shower.

Named the Middle East’s Leading Airport Hotel at the 2013 World Travel Awards, the opening of the hotel’s extension is timely, according to general manager Simon Moore. ”These additional rooms, not only increase the number of guests we can accommodate, but by offering the very latest in technology, design and guest comfort, they also enable us to compete more effectively for greater market share.”

The extension will also be home to 75 club rooms and suites before the end of this year, as well as three new food and beverage outlets and state of the art ballroom and meeting facilities which should come on stream early next year.
The hotel extension comes to market at a time when MasterCard’s latest Global Destination Cities Index, positions Dubai, as the seventh most popular destination city with 9.89 million international overnight visitors in 2013, up 8.2% from last year. And if Dubai continues its current rate of growth, by 2016 it will have moved into third place, above Paris and Singapore, which measured 13.92m and 11.75m visitors, respectively.

Hospitality Consultant TRI measured Dubai’s hotel occupancy levels during the first half of this year at 86%, and forecasts an 11% increase for the full year 2013 compared with the previous year.

“With our location close to Dubai Airport, we are ideally situated to take advantage of the increasing numbers of stopover passengers, short stay leisure visitors and of course business guests quite literally on ‘flying visits’,” said Moore.
Of course if Dubai wins the World Expo 2020 bid, this will dramatically increase the number of visitors to the UAE.
A recent Expo 2020 economic impact report by Oxford Economics shows that Dubai Expo 2020 would support over 277,000 jobs – many generated by the $7.2 billion that would be invested in transport infrastructure. HSBC estimates 45,000 new hotel rooms would be needed to host Expo 2020, the equivalent to adding over 6% per annum to Dubai’s existing room capacity, which will cost a further $7.2 billion.

Turning his attention to the significant outdoor space that has also been renovated, Moore added. “With the cooler temperatures putting outdoor events back on the agenda, our al fresco venues are a major driver for banqueting business, giving us an added value edge, especially for the MICE market,” added Moore.

Popular settings for outdoor social gatherings and corporate events, the 503-square metre Oasis Pool & Bar area has been re-landscaped to offer an enhanced experience for large scale events for between 150 and 600 guests.
This is complemented by the popular Terrace area adjacent, which cumulatively incorporates the outdoor spaces used by the hotels’ three dining and entertainment outlets – Cactus Jack’s, Biggles pub and Gozo Garden – with a combined capacity for 550 guests.

The hotel has also been nominated in the ‘World’s Leading Airport Hotel’ category at the 20th annual World Travel Awards, taking place 30 November in Doha Qatar.

For more information about The Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, please log onto www.millenniumhotels.com


Photo caption: The new superior rooms at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai.

Business Bay records robust sales growth of 62% in total value during Q3 2013 over Q3 2012.

Business Bay records robust sales growth of 62% in total value during Q3 2013 over Q3 2012.

Business Bay records over 24% growth in volume of sales transactions in Q3 2013 compared to the Q3 2012.

Dubai, UAE; October XX, 2013: Business Bay, the mega-development of Dubai Properties, recorded a growth in the volume of sales transactions by 24 per cent in Q3 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. With over 135 residential transactions reported in the third quarter of 2013, the total value of residential and mixed-use property sales in Business Bay was close to AED268 million, an increase of 62% compared to the same period last year, according to data by the Dubai Land Department*.

The third quarter (July to September) of 2013 recorded a 12 per cent growth in volume of sales transactions compared to the second quarter of 2013. Over 135 sales transactions were made during this period, valued over AED268 million, an increase of 12 per cent in value of sales transactions compared to the second quarter of 2013. The highest number of transactions were made in September with 63 apartments and mixed-use units sold at a total value of over AED115 million, according to data by the Dubai Land Department*.

Porush Jhunjhunwala, Director at Banke International, the premier property sales company with a strong roster of residential and commercial properties in Dubai, said: “Business Bay has emerged as one of the front-runners driving the last few months with rental rates and sales prices firming up during the third quarter of 2013 and now witnessing further increase in demand and take-up by both property buyers and tenants.”

He added, “Residential rental rates in Business Bay are appreciating at notable levels outperforming the market at large. Occupancy rates are increasing with new supply being added to the market. The rich array of lifestyle amenities in neighbouring destinations like Downtown Dubai, including The Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar and several world-class hotels and leisure attractions, has made the location highly sought-after by tenants, owner-occupiers and investors.”

Studios in Business Bay can be rented from AED 60,000 - AED 75,000 per annum, and are a preferred choice by executives while couples and small-sized families opt for 1 or 2 bedroom apartments at rents ranging from AED 75,000 - AED 90,000 per annum and AED 115,000 to AED 135,000 per annum, respectively. Large-sized families or those with larger budgets can find 3 bedroom apartments ranging from AED 155,000 to AED 185,000 per annum.

Residential sales prices range from AED 810 to AED 1,500 per square feet1 The price range is governed by the the stage of construction, the views offered, build quality and location apart from unit size and type.

Office sale prices are in the range of AED 700 to AED 1,200 per sq feet and are available for rent at AED 60 to AED 80 per sq ft2 per year on a shell and core basis

Among the residential property choices in Business Bay are homes in Executive Towers; as well as apartments in Churchill Executive, U-Bora residential tower, Windsor Manor, Ontario Tower, Mayfair Residency, among others.

Among the commercial office space at Business Bay are Churchill Executive, Oberoi Tower, One Business Bay, Citadel Tower, 51@Business Bay, Al Manara Tower amongst others offering a range of amenities including drop-off area for employees or clients, basement car parking, cafes and pedestrian walkways.

As the bustling hub located centrally in the city, Business Bay has multiple towers – some developed by Dubai Properties and others developed by individual developers – for residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use real estate. The community is in close proximity to the “Center of NOW” Downtown Dubai, and also has direct access from the Dubai Metro station.

Popular shopping destinations such as The Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar are about 10 minutes drive from Business Bay.

Residents in most of the residential buildings benefit from facilities including community pools. Many of the towers have ancillary retail at the ground floor offering pharmacies, restaurants and cafes, souvenir and gift shops.

Business Bay’s appeal will be further bolstered with the newly announced projects such as the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District, and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Mansour Al Nahyan Mosque, among others.
Due to strong demand, Banke International expects rental vacancies to be lower in the short-medium term, pushing rental rates as well as sales prices higher underlining the strong outlook for residential properties in Business Bay.

Dubai Marina photos, UAE, October 2016

Bunyan Tower photos, Dubai Marina, 16/October/2013

The Pentominium photos, Dubai Marina, 16/October/2013

RTA Launches Two New Bus Routes to Serve Al Maktoum International Airport

RTA Launches Two New Bus Routes to Serve Al Maktoum International Airport

Roads and Transport Authority- Nashwan Atta’ee

The Public Transport Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) launched on October 27th two new routes for buses and they are (F55) and (F55A) to serve Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.

Essa Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi, Acting Director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency, stated that Route (F55) will start from Ibn Battuta Metro Station towards Al Maktoum International Airport meanwhile Route (F55A) starts from Al Satwa Bus Station towards the Airport.

Al Hashemi pointed out that the Agency is keen on an ongoing basis to expand and strengthen the network of routes of public buses to connect various areas of the Emirate of Dubai with vital points such as Al Maktoum International Airport, which will gain global interest to harmonize its global status, enjoyed by the Emirate as a global prominent hub in various economic, trade, service and financial fields and in other vital areas.

He said: Route (F55) will start from Ibn Battuta Center and pass through several areas including Dubai College, Royal Mirage Hotel, Royal Meridian Jumeira Hotel, Al Waha Beach Hotel, Hilton Jumeira Hotel, Al Hadaeq Intersection in Jebel Ali to Al Maktoum International Airport meanwhile Route (F55A) will start from Al Satwa Bus Station and pass through other areas such as Al Qaderi Mosque, Handicapped Rehabilitation Center, Emirates National Bank of Dubai (Al Wasl branch) Jumeira Post Office, Hilton Beach Club, Jumeira Beach Garden, Al Ghareefa Council, Jumeira Mosque (3) Umm Suqeim Garden, Wild Wadi, Burj Al Arab, Jumeira City and Sufouh Street to Al Maktoum International Airport.

He added: The launch of the two routes from Ibn Batouta Metro Station and Al Satwa bus Station to Al Maktoum International Airport comes to encourage those heading and returning from the Airport to use mass transport means which fulfils the main goal of the Authority especially that the Airport will play a key and vital role as one of the main pillars that enhances the Emirate's economy and tourist movement.

He stressed that the Roads and Transport Authority takes great importance of all suggestions, complaints and observations by the public who are considered the most important foundation of the success of its plans and objectives aimed at expanding, strengthening and upgrading the network of mass transport, including public bus routes, through addressing and resolving complaints and listening to the constructive proposals and views in the development of work, through various means of communication such as the Authority's website, or through the Call Center 8009090, or social networks or through field surveys which are prepared accurately and delivered to the various categories and segments of society.

Escan Marina Tower photos, Dubai Marina , 16/October/2013

Dubai Marina Mosque construction photos, UAE, 16/October/2013

RTA installs Smart Meters on Dubai Taxicabs

RTA installs Smart Meters on Dubai Taxicabs

Showcased at GITEX 2013

RTA – Nashwan Atta’ee

RTA’s Public Transport Agency has showcased the next generation Smart Taxi Meters at this year’s GITEX 2013 with the focus on transforming customer experience.

“The state-of-the-art Smart Taxi Meters would allow the customers to see the taxi driver information in addition to his picture. This step has been taken to improve the customer satisfaction level in taxis and gain feedback from customers,” according to Adel Shakri Director, Transport Systems of the RTA Public Transport Agency.

“The Transport Systems Department would be able to send road safety messages and weather conditions to their taxi drivers using the Smart Meters to improve drivers’ and customers’ safety. The Smart Meters would connect directly to the taxis on-board computers, which would be used to collect precise information and data, and later on analyze driving behaviors of different drivers. In addition, 3dimention-maps would be available in all Smart Meters to provide route guidance and help drivers in taking customers to different destinations all over Dubai on time, ” said Shakri.

“The Department will also be able to send images of Dubai City as well as other information such as promotions related to incoming landmark events like Expo 2020 images that can be sent online to the Smart Meter and then be displayed on the screen of the smart meters.”

“The Smart Meters would be integrated with the sophisticated Dispatcher 8 System of the Dispatch Center at the Public Transport Agency that is currently runs more than 8,500 taxis in the Emirate of Dubai to cater to the needs of taxi riders. Initially, RTA plans to start rolling out the Smart Meters to 600 taxis this November provided that the application would be executed on the remaining taxicabs of the entire fleet on phases,” he further explained.

Adel Shakri reaffirmed RTA’s continued keenness and commitment to keep pace with the latest the world’s latest technologies and introduce the most viable applications and devices that enhance its services provision to the public from different social cross-sections including the taxi customers and all public transit commuters.

“RTA has always been endeavoring to come up with the most innovative solutions, which make its varied services smarter, smoother and most accessible to the public, and to be in line with Dubai’s Smart Government initiatives that have been launched to make the lives of residents, tourists and visitors safer, easier and more comfortable,” Director, Transport Systems said in a closing remark.

Pier 8 photos, Dubai Marina, 16/October/2013

Dream Tower photos, Dubai Marina , 16/October/2013