tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1103389751808076782024-03-13T20:47:22.999+04:00Urban Vision 999 <i>Dubai Through the Metro Glass</i>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-18486561768170487752010-01-05T01:06:00.003+04:002010-01-05T01:16:53.792+04:00SpellbindingThe day started like this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0JYnOxzg2I/AAAAAAAAHgo/bKcTWVznb5A/s1600-h/dsc_2765b2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:800px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0JYnOxzg2I/AAAAAAAAHgo/bKcTWVznb5A/dsc_2765b2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422994332312634210" /></a><br /><br />...and ended something like that...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0JYmoOAy9I/AAAAAAAAHgg/qnHSXaDWmYE/s1600-h/dsc_3046a2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;height:800px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0JYmoOAy9I/AAAAAAAAHgg/qnHSXaDWmYE/dsc_3046a2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422994321961962450" /></a><br /><br />...and in between there was oh, so much!<br /><br />Ok, let me catch my breath. What an unforgettable day. So many superlatives, but if I had to sum it up as succinctly as possible, I could do it with one word... <br /><br /><b>Dubai!</b><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-58946021202787596052010-01-04T13:45:00.006+04:002010-01-04T16:08:33.002+04:00At The TopToday is the day and it isn't even half over yet. The photos here were taken from the 124th floor of the Burj Dubai this morning, which opened first to the media and subsequently to the general public.<br /><br />But don't hurry just yet to make the trek up to the top. The observation hall is spread over about 3/4 of that level with another 1/4 comprising the outdoor observation deck--a terrace if you will, though not exactly. That terrace is not open, yet--presumably it will open on the 5th (tomorrow).<br /><br />There were a couple of big questions that got answered for me today, 1) how much would a ticket to the top cost and 2) what is the observation deck really like? As to the first, it is AED 100 for adults (ages 12 and above) and AED 75 for children. If you think that is a bit steep, then you're welcome to pay AED 210 for a speedier trip. That is, if you are not prepared to wait your turn to take the journey, you get to cut ahead of the line, as it were. <br /><br />There are two elevators to ferry passengers up--each carrying no more than a dozen or so persons. I have read that there are split level elevators--two levels each--but it didn't appear that these elevators were like that. <br /><br />As to the second question, the photos here will do most of the explaining. The enclosed <i>hall</i> which extends 3/4 around the 124th floor is very spacious inside in some places, narrower in others. The clarity of the view depends as much as anything on the angle of the sun. Windows, while not perfectly spotless, were clean and clear enough for good panoramas and good photography. But this will never replace the fully unfiltered balcony views, once the outdoor viewing platform is opened--closed for the day in preparation for the fireworks display this evening. <br /><br />Many people have wondered about the elevator experience. We did the 124 floors in approximately 65 seconds. That's almost 2 floors every second; but it didn't feel very fast at all. The change in air pressure was perceptible but not uncomfortable. <br /><br />The elevators are not of the glass variety which offer panoramic views as you ascend, but are completely closed. The lift interiors are for the most part darkened with twinkling lights that flicker in relation to the soft music being played. There is hardly any opportunity for those uncomfortable elevator moments due in part to the subdued lighting and speed of the trip.<br /><br /><b>Overall Impressions</b><br /><br />This morning was a media event. The observation deck was buzzing with media professionals punctuated by a brief visit from Emaar chairman Mohammad Al Abbar. The employed assistants who guided visitors from the attraction entrance up to the top welcomed everyone with warm smiles. It was a beautiful thing to experience the success of this engineering marvel. Almost as much as the towers exterior finish, Dubai itself shines as a city to marvel at when seen from this tower's lofty heights. <br /><br />Thank you Emaar and thank you Dubai for giving the world one more amazing spectacle.<br /><br /><b>Approach from the newly opened Burj Dubai/Dubai Mall Station</b><br /><br />The station is open, for at least its second day today. On departing the station passengers can wait for the F13 bus to shuttle them to the mall--the public entrance to the observation deck starts in the Mall at the Lower Ground Food Court, just beside <i>mOre Cafe</i>. If one prefers to walk, certainly suitable in the pleasant cool climate, there is no clear path to take. <br /><br />One basically exits the station and heads toward the side of Dubai Mall. With no apparent pedestrian entrance, one has to make his or her way through the parking structure. The stroll from the station will take at least 10 minutes, depending on how lost one gets.<br /><br />At the opposite exit, toward the Jumeirah side of SZR, there are still no feeder buses running and none to come online very quickly, it would appear. The station itself is also one of the smallest among the Red line's with no particularly distinctinve features.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3_5rsXI/AAAAAAAAHgI/4gMUDw1YbdQ/s1600-h/DSC_2793.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3_5rsXI/AAAAAAAAHgI/4gMUDw1YbdQ/s400/DSC_2793.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422849484842054002" /></a><br />The <i>travelator</i> which takes one through toward the observation deck elevators.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3jYJKTI/AAAAAAAAHgA/V5jblifCZvo/s1600-h/DSC_2794.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3jYJKTI/AAAAAAAAHgA/V5jblifCZvo/s400/DSC_2794.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422849477185186098" /></a><br />A first glimpse of the magnificent tower once you step off the travelator.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3S_EQ9I/AAAAAAAAHf4/kX5QETWGg1E/s1600-h/DSC_2800.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3S_EQ9I/AAAAAAAAHf4/kX5QETWGg1E/s400/DSC_2800.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422849472785040338" /></a><br />One more passage way where the construction of the tower is illustrated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3LPaWrI/AAAAAAAAHfw/EVmG-XbS3G0/s1600-h/DSC_2802.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HU3LPaWrI/AAAAAAAAHfw/EVmG-XbS3G0/s400/DSC_2802.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422849470706113202" /></a><br />The elevators to the <i>At the Top</i> observation floor. They don't appear to be double-decker.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUnwgSUI/AAAAAAAAHfo/TvpW0X_erlU/s1600-h/DSC_2804.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUnwgSUI/AAAAAAAAHfo/TvpW0X_erlU/s400/DSC_2804.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422848877065685314" /></a><br />The view inside the elevator, with camera pointed at the mirrored ceiling. Subdued lighting and soft music creates the desired ambiance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUe1NSpI/AAAAAAAAHfg/RZCVoh5srgk/s1600-h/DSC_2810.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUe1NSpI/AAAAAAAAHfg/RZCVoh5srgk/s400/DSC_2810.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422848874669492882" /></a><br />Shooting into the sun, the Burj Dubai downtown 124 floors down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUMiC2eI/AAAAAAAAHfY/GRFua5jkNyY/s1600-h/DSC_2826.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUUMiC2eI/AAAAAAAAHfY/GRFua5jkNyY/s400/DSC_2826.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422848869757278690" /></a><br />View toward the Burj al Arab.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUTjTCw7I/AAAAAAAAHfQ/OiRyy_B1EGY/s1600-h/DSC_2835.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUTjTCw7I/AAAAAAAAHfQ/OiRyy_B1EGY/s400/DSC_2835.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422848858688504754" /></a><br />View toward Deira.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUTRw4MxI/AAAAAAAAHfI/Y76GTAZZRWs/s1600-h/DSC_2841.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HUTRw4MxI/AAAAAAAAHfI/Y76GTAZZRWs/s400/DSC_2841.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422848853981803282" /></a><br />The open terrace--closed for the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSldUN_sI/AAAAAAAAHfA/i9XQWfsXtfU/s1600-h/DSC_2848.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSldUN_sI/AAAAAAAAHfA/i9XQWfsXtfU/s400/DSC_2848.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422846967297212098" /></a><br />Electronic telescopes provided for closer views, with credit card payment of AED 10.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSk646lAI/AAAAAAAAHe4/LHxAvcV0rco/s1600-h/DSC_2860.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSk646lAI/AAAAAAAAHe4/LHxAvcV0rco/s400/DSC_2860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422846958055887874" /></a><br />It was a field day for the media.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSkYvGYRI/AAAAAAAAHeo/_i4T_OINwCw/s1600-h/DSC_2899.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSkYvGYRI/AAAAAAAAHeo/_i4T_OINwCw/s400/DSC_2899.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422846948887912722" /></a><br />All crowd around for an appearance of the chairman of Emaar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSkH6xixI/AAAAAAAAHeg/Z3ckAAsXJ-M/s1600-h/DSC_2906.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/S0HSkH6xixI/AAAAAAAAHeg/Z3ckAAsXJ-M/s400/DSC_2906.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422846944373476114" /></a><br />The Chairman, Mohammad Al Abbar, makes a brief appearance.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-24872396640597149572010-01-03T18:37:00.003+04:002010-01-03T20:33:25.729+04:00Burj Dubai Station & the Big Day (Tomorrow)<img style="float:left; margin:0 20px 10px 0;" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs131.snc3/17838_232219172907_505567907_3097719_7540091_n.jpg">It was open today, ahead of the big opening day of the Burj Dubai. Media reports were that the station would be open for the event and it makes sense that they have started a dry run at least a day before. I expect the station to be inundated tomorrow.<br /><br />I presume I am one of the first users of the new station. The numbers on the platform this evening could be counted on two hands. One of these, strangely, was a white shaggy bearded elderly man in backpacker attire. When I sat next to him on the platform he began to advise me of the train schedule, supposing that this was all new with the opening of the new station.<br /><br />He apparently is here for the opening of the Burj tomorrow. He presumed I was too but when I told him I was working here, he expressed amazement that a foreigner could have such an opportunity. How is that so, he asked. He described himself as a 77 year old (or was it 87?) Denmark citizen. I would describe him simply as Santa Claus.<br /><br />Could that be a sign of things to come with the events surrounding the opening of the Burj Dubai? Maybe. This man is a totally new breed of visitor to Dubai. The newspaper says 2 billion people will be watching the event worldwide. I can't say I would expect anything like that. We'll just have to see how far the excitement goes.<br /><br />It hasn't much penetrated the thick walls of the office where I work on Sheikh Zayed Road. As far as I could tell I'm the only one buzzing about the event tomorrow. A colleague happens to be renting a flat in Business Bay with a view of the tower, so he'll be able to see the spectacle from his own windows. How lucky is that! But he seemed totally nonchalant.<br /><br />Not me. I'm so excited. I had thought I'd take the whole day off from work tomorrow in order to secure the best public viewing spot. I have my sights on the promenade at the Burj Dubai residences, which will provide not only a clear view of the tower and part of the lake, but also the viewing screen on which a special showing will be presented for Sheikh Mohammad and his 6000 invited guests.<br /><br />With those thoughts in mind I got an unexpected call while in the office this afternoon. The caller was a person I had met at a publicity event a couple of weeks ago. It turns out their photographer is unavailable for a visit inside the tower tomorrow morning. He asked if I could fill in!<br /><br />Wow, you bet I will. So 8 a.m. tomorrow I'll be heading into the <i>Tower of Dubai</i> with camera in hand, ahead of the grand opening. So excited I was that I failed to get the details of the visit. I'll be ready with a full report and pictures tomorrow.<br /><br />Stay tuned...B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-64570453462879990992009-10-16T10:45:00.007+04:002009-10-16T11:11:57.535+04:00Safe & Secure<blockquote>(Dubai) It's 9:30 pm. The side street I'm on, a little off of a main road, has a line of street lights but it is still rather dark. I sit alone in a brightly lit bus shelter in an area where there are a few office blocks and some activity in a nearby parking lot. I am usually the only passenger in the bus shelter this time of night and I sit waiting with my white Macintosh laptop open, as I try to read or type while watching out for the bus.</blockquote><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLXgJH6RI/AAAAAAAAG-0/DGL9vP5YsZY/s1600-h/dsc_1340.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:800px; margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLXgJH6RI/AAAAAAAAG-0/DGL9vP5YsZY/dsc_1340.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392932314680912146" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>Financial Center metro station at night.</i></font></center><br /><blockquote>(Seattle, USA) I'm a tourist there, unfamiliar with just about everything. It's 5:30 pm, the sun has just set, but it's still light out. I stand nervously at the downtown bus stop. It's on a major road but a bit on the edge of the CBD (central business district). Why does the whole area seem so eerily deserted still early in the evening? I'm empty handed, carrying nothing thankfully, but I just wish the bus would hurry up and come. There are a few dodgy looking characters making their way toward me. Someone's high I can tell. Let me somehow just be inconspicuous.</blockquote><br />I don't think it would be exaggerating to say that I would never, ever sit at a lonely bus stop in any American city blithely pecking at keys on my laptop. If I dared even to carry a laptop I would do my best to disguise it and appear as nonchalant and <i>local</i> as I possibly could.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLXfXL31I/AAAAAAAAG-s/dlho2Heps38/s1600-h/dsc_1265.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLXfXL31I/AAAAAAAAG-s/dlho2Heps38/s400/dsc_1265.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392932314471456594" /></a><font color="white"><i>A typical interior in many of Dubai's new, uncrowded buses. >></i></font><br /><br />In Dubai I feel 100% safe and at ease in such a setting, but in most American cities under similar circumstances I would feel absolutely at risk and vulnerable. It is the combination of dusk or nightfall and the absence of pedestrian traffic, save any miscreants, that can turn an otherwise normal functioning city street into a lawless no-man's land.<br /><br />Americans and the local residents know this. They know that it matters what the time of day is, what the pedestrian traffic is like and what other conditions are there that might make a street unsafe. <br /><br />Is it a justified rationale that they have or is it paranoia? Nothing happened to me at that Seattle bus stop as daylight faded. Nothing happened to me when I walked the dark streets of a New Orleans, still Katrina ravaged street, looking for a bus stop one night. But something could have or just might have happened--in a wrong place/wrong time kind of way. <br /><br />I developed the perception growing up in America that the most unsafe thing one could do when in such a setting was to look like you didn't know where you were. To seem at ease and to somewhat blend in was the first rule. The second was to get out of that place as quickly as possible--without haste, that is, lest you violate the first rule.<br /><br />I think this is the rule of thumb for most Americans. Whether it really is the answer to being safe or whether it is largely a matter of luck, I'm not quite sure. Whatever the case, I feel no need to be on my guard when on the streets of Dubai, whether by day or night.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Keeping it Real... Safe</font></b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLWbQ_dLI/AAAAAAAAG-c/KGv9V2aeysc/s1600-h/dsc_0903.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLWbQ_dLI/AAAAAAAAG-c/KGv9V2aeysc/dsc_0903.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392932296191866034" /></a><font color="white"><i><< A military style young Emirati security man.</i></font><br /><br />Security inside the Dubai metro is tight. There are two classes of uniformed men (I haven't seen any female security staff)--one in the popular Group 4 style and the other in military style garb. The former tend to include various expat staff and the latter young locals. There is also a contingent of station attendants wearing blazers or jackets of one kind or other. <br /><br />It would seem the task of the attendants is to assist passengers and inspect their boarding cards, while the Group 4 style security men are there to enforce rules. The military style men don't normally interact with the passengers, so it would seem their role is to guard against terrorism and control the peace should the need arise. They do not, however, appear to carry any weapons except for batons. <br /><br />I did attempt to engage one of the young officers in conversation. I was able to confirm that he was <i>local</i>, from Sharjah. He appeared to be very young, probably not yet 20, and he could not speak any English. Although I hadn't spoken with any of the other officers on duty, I would speculate that his profile was typical. They all seem to be local and as young as he was, and judging from their glances askance whenever I pass near any of them, I suspect most don't speak English.<br /><br />Are the uniformed men, without weaponry really enough to guard against terrorism? One must appreciate that here there is no gun culture, except perhaps as part of some traditional dances. Security guards are always unarmed and I don't ever recall seeing a police officer carrying a pistol, although I may just never have noticed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLWgs7SBI/AAAAAAAAG-k/a_NIgoFtDCw/s1600-h/dsc_0905.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SteLWgs7SBI/AAAAAAAAG-k/a_NIgoFtDCw/dsc_0905.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392932297651210258" /></a><font color="white"><i>A Group Four style civilian security man. >></i></font><br /><br />That said, I have heard that there is a new stipulation in Dubai that security guards must receive some kind of weapons training. Up till now the common practice seems to have been to simply put a uniform on a new man <i>fresh off the boat</I> and thus you get a qualified security man.<br /><br />That begs the question once again. Are these security men enough to guard against terrorism? Well, they are at least eyes on the ground, and there are a lot of them roaming around the stations and on the trains themselves. There are also the much heralded CCTV cameras. That should be enough to spot the unattended bag or strangely behaving commuter. If they can keep an eye out for things suspicious as well as they manage to keep people from eating, drinking and entering the wrong cabins, then we shouldn't have too many security concerns.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">All Alone</font></b><br /><br />My commute to work today is a little earlier than usual, just turning noon. It finds me in the gold class all alone except for the company of a train attendant. This time must be the <i>sweet spot</i> where hardly anyone rides. Alas I am joined by a couple of other riders. Oh no, they've just been escorted to a silver class cabin.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-31401848405200197472009-10-11T22:26:00.003+04:002009-10-12T00:12:28.496+04:00Iconic Views<table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD41VxgrHI/AAAAAAAAG-M/b65NkDj2svU/s1600-h/dsc_1488.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD41VxgrHI/AAAAAAAAG-M/b65NkDj2svU/dsc_1488.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391082349224045682" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>Still u/c metro Green line passing below the Burj Dubai downtown skyline.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />On days that I decide not to take the metro into the city, I get my first clear views of the city skyline as I descend from Business Bay Bridge. It is a spectacular skyline, even on less than clear days, with the Burj Dubai, at 165 floors, pointing up to the sky like a beacon.<br /><br />I am reminded of childhood days, some 40 years ago, when I would anxiously await the first views of the Louisiana State capitol building, scraping the sky at a clean 34 floors, then the tallest building in Louisiana--the place I called home. Occasionally my family made trips to the capital city, Baton Rouge, from my little hometown an hour's drive away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StEBmsJy7xI/AAAAAAAAG-U/OmwfnxN4OUg/s1600-h/dsc_1504a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StEBmsJy7xI/AAAAAAAAG-U/OmwfnxN4OUg/s400/dsc_1504a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391091993138097938" /></a><font color="white"><i><< Approach to what could be called Sheikh Zayed Rd's central business district.</i></font><br /><br />Driving 4 hours instead in the opposite direction and into Houston, Texas, I would get an even bigger thrill from spying views of that city's dramatic skyline. Unbeknown to me at the time was that this was a just a hint of what Dubai would eventually come to offer.<br /><br /><font color="ffff99"><b>Commute</b></font><br /> <br />My commute to work this afternoon has me in my regular gold class seat. By boarding at the starting station I can have my choice of seating. The cabin almost fills up as we make our way through a few stations. It is a mixed crowd of Emiratis , some Westerners and other foreign expats. Some of them look like tourists, others joyriders and just a few commuters. Of course there aren't many people still commuting to work at noon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD40RWR9MI/AAAAAAAAG98/7OkhoHhTjLw/s1600-h/dsc_1507.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD40RWR9MI/AAAAAAAAG98/7OkhoHhTjLw/s400/dsc_1507.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391082330856223938" /></a><font color="white"><i><< The iconic Burj Dubai tower rises to a needlepoint pinnacle.</i></font><br /><br />Once I disembark from the metro it is about a 7 minute walk to my bus stop 500 meters away. That is the primary extent of my walking. One of the benefits of public transport is that one has to walk quite a bit, which is great for getting exercise. <i>Unfortunately</i> not much walking is required as part of my car, train, and bus commute. Of course, it isn't so much fun trekking under a scorching sun, but the weather will start to cool in a month or so.<br /><br />When I lived in Japan my daily commute was either by bicycle or by train with a lot of walking, and climbing up and down hundreds of steps to get to and from train platforms. I suppose this is one reason why the Japanese population are so healthy despite their relative wealth. With escalators, moving walkways and air-conditioned bus shelters, the RTA seems to be doing everything it can to entice Dubai residents out of their cars. While this means we'll sweat less, we also won't be able to shed so many extra poinds.<br /><br />The National had a photo and story on one commuter, predictably a Westerner, who carries his fold-up bicycle onto the train and cycles the rest of his journey on either end. That could well be me if I lived within cycling distance of a station and had a cycle light enough to carry around. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD4z8y4_fI/AAAAAAAAG90/5qi2BFeying/s1600-h/dsc_1526.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD4z8y4_fI/AAAAAAAAG90/5qi2BFeying/s400/dsc_1526.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391082325339078130" /></a><font color="white"><i>Dubai's new futuristic-looking headquarters for telecom Etisalat. >></i></font><br /><br />Apart from the fact that the UAE is not a country of cyclists, which results in more road hazards for those who do it, cycling or a combination of cycle and public transport has the positive effect of being healthy, time-efficient, economic and sometimes fun. There is, however, the over-confidence that regular cyclists sometimes develop in thinking they are invulnerable when, in fact, the safety issue is always there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><font color="white"><i>Construction on towers continues along Sheikh Zayed Road. ↓</i></font><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD4zWoO_EI/AAAAAAAAG9s/vqPmtyjIhrE/s1600-h/dsc_1531.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; height:800px; margin:15px 0 0 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/StD4zWoO_EI/AAAAAAAAG9s/vqPmtyjIhrE/dsc_1531.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391082315093834818" /></a></center><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-25487156001279012722009-10-09T12:00:00.001+04:002009-10-09T12:14:38.966+04:00Tidbits 2<table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Ss7hb_v4vfI/AAAAAAAAG9c/m6YsJFW-uqc/s1600-h/dsc_1465.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Ss7hb_v4vfI/AAAAAAAAG9c/m6YsJFW-uqc/dsc_1465.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390493675094064626" /></a><br/><i><font color="white">Dusk colors the Jafaliya station and Sheikh Zayed Rd. skyline.</font></i></td></tr></table><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Card Abuse & Other Minor Infractions</font></b><br /><br />I saw and experienced it for the first time a few days ago--the use of a handheld device used to inspect nol cards, which one is asked to display upon entering the gold class cabin. The Gulf Arab gentlemen seated in front of me politely protested being treated suspiciously, but I suggested to him that it was a useful procedure as people are known to have abused the system.<br /><br />That said, in the span of a few minutes our cards were inspected by two different cabin crew attendants. For the most part, however, the procedure appears to be to inspect cards as riders enter at the various stations, rather than waiting until they have already taken their seats.<br /><br />Another monitoring incident... A young man waiting to board was getting a chiding from one of the security guards. When I asked him what had happened he said it was because he was having a drink. He didn't know that drinking was not allowed on the platform--neither did I. So the restriction does not apply only on the trains but on the platforms as well, and I would now presume you'll be warned if you have an open drink or food anywhere once passing through the wickets.<br /><br />That does not bode well for the concessions at stations. These include Star Bucks, a fruit juice outlet and Chow King (an oriental fast food shop)--those are the ones I've seen so far at the stations I regularly pass through. The Chow King is located at a street side entrance/exit of the Financial Centre station, so one might well pick up a takeout order on leaving the station. The other outets, however, just outside the entrance wickets, seem not to make much sense. They don't have seating, so one would basically have to walk with one's purchase while exiting the station or else gulp it down before heading toward the boarding platform.<br /><br />I can't say I remember ever seeing a commuter train where passengers could eat on board the trains themselves, but it was certainly allowed on platforms and elsewhere within the stations. In Japan, where I lived for many years, stations had quick order shops with seating or stand-up bars, and the favorite of many passengers was to have a quick bowl of hot tasty ramen (noodle soup) either before or just after their train ride. It was really one of the unique appeals of the stations. I think I would skip dinner at home every evening if I could get a bowl of hot ramen at the end of my evening commute.<br /><br />The emphasis in Dubai's new stations is clearly on cleanliness and I wouldn't fault anyone for that. I really appreciate the shiny newness of everything. No doubt, if eating were allowed you would get paper trash and sticky or grimy surfaces here and there. But the least they could do is have stools or small seating areas at the concessions outside of the wicket gates. A 16 dhs cup of coffee from Star Bucks just doesn't make sense if you can't at least sit down and leisurely sip it.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Alternative Transport</font></b><br /><br />A recent <a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10355017.html">Gulf News article</a> reports the following:<br /><blockquote>Approximately 21 per cent of all road fatalities in the first three months of this year have been caused by accidents involving minibuses...</blockquote><br />It continues with a police recommendation that mini-buses no longer be permitted to transport passengers. Is that a ploy to get more riders onto the metro? Maybe, but it seems to be a genuinely good move in terms of safety. <br /><br />There isn't anything inherently more dangerous with minibuses than with other vehicles--apart from comparisons based on size. Of course, a sub-compact car is more vulnerable than a giant bus. The point is that most accidents result from the actions of drivers rather than the type of vehicle.<br /><br />In this view, the suggestion that mini-buses be no longer permitted to ferry passengers is perhaps more an indictment on the people who drive these vehicles. Such drivers are often poorly trained and seem to have no particular appreciation of the value of their <i>cargo</i>, as it were. The comfort and safety of human passengers ought to command a bit more respect than the transport of goods.<br /><br />So, here perhaps we take care of two birds with one stone, by getting the recklessly driven mini-buses off the roads and ushering more commuters onto the metro.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Nol Woes Continued...</font></b><br /><br />This time the angst is not mine but that of others I know. The balance of credit on their cards seem invariably to shrink unexplained. The quick assumption is <i>I've been cheated</i> or that the card or card readers are malfunctioning. As I have learned, however, the real culprit is normally incorrect use of the card or misunderstanding the info given by the card readers. <br /><br />I don't fault the riders, however, for this confusion. There is a learning curve involved and the RTA has not adequately addressed this. For most people it is going to be trial by fire--the fire being that which seems to burn their cash away. The best rule of thumb is to just be cool and calm about it and assume there is a rational explanation behind every error. At the same time, one can get a print out of his/her card usage history (available at the ticket machines and info counters in metro stations, and perhaps elsewhere).<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Taxis</font></b><br /><br />I have to add these to my compendium of transport options. It used to be that in Abu Dhabi, where I lived for 9 years, taxiing was the only practical transport option for those who did not own cars--and part of the reason why that city is plagued today with even worse vehicle traffic and parking woes than Dubai. <br /><br />A public bus transport system was only introduced in Abu Dhabi in 2008. To be fair there was a precursor of sorts, a fleet of big buses that traveled inner and inter-city routes. But the buses, their routes and boarding spots were largely unmarked. Usage remained confined to the extremely humble of means--i.e. the unemployed few, it would seem--who had no option but to work out the mysterious system. Even laborers on meagre salaries found no use for them and instead relied on an informal system of taxi sharing.<br /><br />Back to Dubai, taxis have always been part of a mix that included buses as well as informal car shares, but the price, several times that in Abu Dhabi, had made them a sort of last resort option. (I've seen some commentators speak of Dubai's reasonable taxi fares, but I have to wonder from which planet they hail--OK, maybe Tokyo or New York, but why compare Dubai with the most expensive of cities?) With the metro partially opened and lots of new buses, commuters in Dubai finally have real options, but will still need to rely on taxis from time to time.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Metro Info via The National</b></font><br /><br />There are a number of websites around which attempt to fill the sometimes dearth of information about the metro, its facilities, services, etc. I have just come across Abu Dhabi's English daily <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090902/MULTIMEDIA/908319975">The National's contribution</a> which seems quite promising.<br /><blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Ss7ja6jyGrI/AAAAAAAAG9k/5jP2Wv_DfU4/s1600-h/thenationalupdate.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Ss7ja6jyGrI/AAAAAAAAG9k/5jP2Wv_DfU4/s400/thenationalupdate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390495855544507058" /></a></blockquote>This seems to be a space worth watching.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-31959881981758314682009-10-01T23:59:00.004+04:002009-10-02T02:46:54.748+04:00My City, My Metro<table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUZ8cCbySI/AAAAAAAAG7M/ci_hgfkYWNg/s1600-h/dsc_1413.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;margin:0 25px 0 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUZ8cCbySI/AAAAAAAAG7M/ci_hgfkYWNg/s400/dsc_1413.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387741055327914274" /></a></td><td valign=center>So goes the ad campaign. It resonates with me. <br /><br />Dubai is my adopted city, and the metro is a great new way to experience it.<br /><br /><br /><font color="white"><i><< The start of my morning commute, past UAE telecom Etisalat's Dubai HQ.</i></font></td></tr></table><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUbfMNBoUI/AAAAAAAAG7U/YpkJRaIeBLw/s1600-h/dsc_1406.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUbfMNBoUI/AAAAAAAAG7U/YpkJRaIeBLw/s400/dsc_1406.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387742751884419394" /></a>I have just found next to the luggage compartment in the gold cabin a sign indicating baggage size, as follows: maximum luggage size <font color="#ffff99">w81 X h58 X d30</font>. This should answer the question of those wondering how much baggage they can carry on the train when transiting to and from the airport.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Best Practices?</i></font><br /><br />My one friend so far at the metro is one of the security men at Rashidiya station. Perhaps it is better to leave him unnamed. I asked him this morning if work was busy, he answered <i>always busy</i>. <br /><br /><i>What about your day off?</i> I asked. <i>No day off</i>, he answered. Why not, I wondered; his badge read Serco, the company which manages and provides services for the metro. He is a contracted hire, however, with a company called <i>Frist Security</i> or something like that. <br /><br />It is very typical in the UAE, and probably in a lot of other countries that a large reputable firm wins a big service contract, partially on the basis of their good practices. But then a lot of the work gets contracted out to third companies with dodgy practices.<br /><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUcZNZdWSI/AAAAAAAAG7c/gz-nWVZJYhE/s1600-h/dsc_1422.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUcZNZdWSI/AAAAAAAAG7c/gz-nWVZJYhE/dsc_1422.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387743748637415714" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>One of Dubai's central districts, home to Emirates Towers and the DIFC.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />The presumed reputable firm does not take the responsibility of insuring that its contracted agents are carrying out proper procedures, nor does the party who awards the original contract. That said, the first and second party will speak of their own best practices while turning a blind eye to what happens further down the line.<br /><br />So, a security guard works 7 days a week, probably on a 12-hour shift, which is not only bad for that individual but detrimental to the service he was hired to carry out--in this case security.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Bus Shelters</i></font><br /><br />As I've probably pointed out before, taking the bus is an essential part of the metro commute. In large part Dubai's buses are big, shiny-new, comfortable and to my experience thus far--largely empty. So, one can enjoy a comfortable ride, and for me it is good enough to work at my laptop at the same time.<br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUdbgZdSvI/AAAAAAAAG7s/bj0ZrbcqEcg/s1600-h/dsc_1441.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 5px 0 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUdbgZdSvI/AAAAAAAAG7s/bj0ZrbcqEcg/s400/dsc_1441.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387744887609051890" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUdbCWMgcI/AAAAAAAAG7k/ALv8MuRAEw0/s1600-h/dsc_1433.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; height: 266px;margin:0 0 0 5px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUdbCWMgcI/AAAAAAAAG7k/ALv8MuRAEw0/s400/dsc_1433.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387744879542305218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align=center><font color="white"><i>U/C towers at Dubai Marina.</i></font></td><td align=center><font color="white"><i>View of Dubai Marina & JLT<br />from Nakheel Harbour & Tower station footbridge.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />A lot was made of the city's air-conditioned bus shelters when they were introduced a year or so ago. It would seem that at least half the stops have these, so one needn't wait in the hot sun while waiting for a bus. One problem, however, is that using the shelters could result in missing your bus. <br /><br />Some are positioned well away from the actual stopping place of the bus and it is often hard to get a clear view of the approaching buses. Drivers aren't likely to stop unless they see someone standing at the stop, so it is often tricky to enjoy the comfort of the a/c shelters while at the same time managing to catch your bus.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Still Under-Construction Stations</i></font><br /><br />There are 19 of these, and regrettably they are no longer making haste at getting them finished, as with the first 10 in the lead up to commencement day. February 2010 was the newly announced completion date for the remaining stations but I think this also may have been pushed back. Fortunately, 09-09-09 was chosen for the original opening date. It was an arbitrary deadline, but one that could not be easily brushed aside.<br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUein0gqEI/AAAAAAAAG78/sgHTpFOdVp4/s1600-h/dsc_1452.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 5px 0 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUein0gqEI/AAAAAAAAG78/sgHTpFOdVp4/s400/dsc_1452.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387746109372278850" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUeiXqlDBI/AAAAAAAAG70/-dxfBOAeaaw/s1600-h/dsc_1438.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; height: 266px;margin:0 0 0 5px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUeiXqlDBI/AAAAAAAAG70/-dxfBOAeaaw/s400/dsc_1438.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387746105035656210" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align=center><font color="white"><i>Emirates Golf Course & the Greens development.</i></font></td><td align=center><font color="white"><i>Dubai Marina Mall</i></font></td></tr></table><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Gold Class Privilege</i></font><br /><br />As I type I find the attendants attempting to issue a fine to a passenger for traveling in the gold cabin without the proper ticket. It appears the accosted passenger is feigning ignorance as she is escorted off the train. Looks like she escapes the fine, but not without her pride bruised, I'm sure. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfoK7-lMI/AAAAAAAAG8U/3HdepEAe0iQ/s1600-h/dsc_1454.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfoK7-lMI/AAAAAAAAG8U/3HdepEAe0iQ/s400/dsc_1454.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387747304209814722" /></a>So, they are trying to enforce the rules, but I'm sure it isn't easy for the normally <i>ready to please</i> cabin attendants to play the role of cop.<br /><br />At the same time as the one woman was being chided a few others seated nearby announced <i>this cabin is in the wrong direction</i> as they made their getaway.<br /><br />They did have a point, however. The gold cabin sits at the front of the train from Rashidiya to Nakheel Harbour & Towers, but at the back of the train in the reverse direction. Most of the seats in the cabin are likewise facing the reverse direction on the train when traveling in that direction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfn81YBbI/AAAAAAAAG8M/DVIk3MHRHVA/s1600-h/dsc_1469.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfn81YBbI/AAAAAAAAG8M/DVIk3MHRHVA/s400/dsc_1469.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387747300424025522" /></a><font color="white"><i>Cabin attendants guarding the entrance to the gold class section. >></i></font><br /><br />I think I have become now a frequent gold class rider because I am a sucker for routine. Oh, and the seats, empty space and other comforts are nice too. In business class on a flight you pay at least three times the normal fare. We pay only double for gold. When I have travelled as a <i>rich foreigner</i> in Vietnam I was forced to pay 3 times the normal fare while utilizing the same transport as a local.<br /><br />In Sri Lanka they have a wonderful modus operandi where foreign visitors to historical sites pay 20-30 times the local rate. So, double fare in gold class is a real bargain.<br /><br />I shall be ending my metro commute shortly, having made use of the time on the morning and evening ride to compose this post. After nearly 3 weeks of metro use I would say that it is a rather different experience from that of metro use in other parts of the world. <br /><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfnVPTgfI/AAAAAAAAG8E/ETBFAVJJFUM/s1600-h/dsc_1462.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsUfnVPTgfI/AAAAAAAAG8E/ETBFAVJJFUM/dsc_1462.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387747289795363314" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>The end of my evening commute, once again past the the SZR financial hub.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />The newness, stylishness and comfort (of the gold class cabin especially) is nothing like one would experience elsewhere. We've got the cabin crew in their gold, black and white uniforms that resemble flight crew. There also hasn't emerged yet any preponderance of bad behaviour. No pushing or rudeness among riders, no rowdy youths or sloppy inebriates. It is all a very civil experience thusfar with a multi-national cast of characters.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-90477346588847928002009-09-30T23:59:00.009+04:002009-10-01T01:28:03.528+04:00Tidbits<table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1H4b9wYI/AAAAAAAAG68/1WhVKbpXXio/s1600-h/dsc_1365a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1H4b9wYI/AAAAAAAAG68/1WhVKbpXXio/dsc_1365a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387207988790280578" /></a><br/><i><font color="white">The Metro Red line running through new Dubai</font></i></td></tr></table><br />No metro ride for me today as I had to stay home from work, having picked up something. Some people are warning, <i>don't ride the metro</i> for fear of swine flu. It is highly unlikely I've got the sniffles from either the metro or the bus. Both are normally not crowded--especially in the gold class. One can sit comfortably with good ventilation. <br /><br />It is much more likely that I picked up whatever I've got in the office or the apartment block I live in. This morning my building's management staff greeted me with advice to drink tea with lemon, which they said they were all doing.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Wifi No Go, p2 <br />(Yesterday's metro news...)</font></b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1HHzpTWI/AAAAAAAAG6s/BxhwJkrqhnE/s1600-h/dsc_1391a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 189px;float:left; margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1HHzpTWI/AAAAAAAAG6s/BxhwJkrqhnE/s400/dsc_1391a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387207975736266082" /></a><font color="white"><i><< The venerable Dubai World Trade Center (at center), the city's first skyscraper built in 1979.</i></font><br /><br />The Gulf News featured an article on the introduction of Du wireless to the metro. Is this news? I don't get it. The rather hapless wireless service has been available since day one. I was hopeful that the day's news was going to be an announcement of a change in terms which might improve the service, but it simply reported the old news in <a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Telecom/10353083.html">banner headline</a> form as if to herald something new.<br /><br />It looks fine in print... <i>wireless internet service at various fee structures</i>. But you don't appreciate what any of that really means unless you actually try to use the service and discover that in reality it is expensive and does not really work. <br /><br />Login takes a long time, the signal cuts out at times, page loading at times is extremely poor--<i>3, 4, 5 minutes for Gmail to load, if at all</i>--and nearly non-existent upload capability.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1HvMSRQI/AAAAAAAAG60/qypv4EDM1UU/s1600-h/dsc_1387a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 15px 25px;float:right;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1HvMSRQI/AAAAAAAAG60/qypv4EDM1UU/s400/dsc_1387a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387207986308596994" /></a><font color="white"><i>Extendable trays in the gold class cabin are more designed for laptops than coffee cups. >></i></font><br /><br />I have used my laptop nearly every day since opening day on 10 Sept--12 to 15 days now--and the service has been consistently poor. I don't get why they are even charging for this, or at least why they don't enable it to perform well with any consistency. <br /><br />There are two freebees--the Du website itself (yawn), where you can find out all about their services, and the RTA site. At least the RTA site provides practical and relevant information. You could plan out the remainder of your journey in minute detail and explore bus routes and schedules.<br /><br />You could also try out a variety of games and metro simulations provided on the virtual RTA site--actually I will need to confirm whether this one is also free to access without a Du login.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Other RTA Business</font></b><br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1G3pwenI/AAAAAAAAG6k/eBFrL_hWOSk/s1600-h/dsc_1392a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;margin:0 25px 15px 0;float:left;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1G3pwenI/AAAAAAAAG6k/eBFrL_hWOSk/s400/dsc_1392a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387207971399826034" /></a><font color="white"><i><< Looking through the metro glass at a receding Jafiliya station.</i></font><br /><br />Not directly related to the metro but another facet of the RTA are the driver's license regulations. I am in the process of exchanging a driver's license from Abu Dhabi with a Dubai license. <br /><br />As this is not very commonly done, there is no specific info on any RTA sites detailing the process. It isn't necessary for most people to do this, anyway, as a license from any emirate can be used in any other. In my case, however, I need to replace a damaged license and might as well do so with one for my current residency. Besides, having a Dubai license seems <i>cooler</i> than having an Abu Dhabi one!<br /><br />The requirements I have found, thusfar, are straightforward.</td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsPJNKxtt6I/AAAAAAAAG7E/oU8D4k1Xf3w/s1600-h/dsc_1386a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsPJNKxtt6I/AAAAAAAAG7E/oU8D4k1Xf3w/s400/dsc_1386a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387370807333599138" /></a><font color="white"><i> Gold class cabin convenience and comfort. >></i></font><br /><br />Several things are required:<br /><ol><li>original passport<br /><li>photo copy of passport bio and visa pages<br /><li>an eye test certificate (obtained at an RTA approved commercial eyeglasses dealer<br /><li>an NOC (no-objection letter) from ones employer<br /><li>the original license<br /><li>a fee of 110 dhs</ol>Not so straightforward, however, is upon presenting all of these to one of the several RTA license centers, I was thereupon informed that I also needed a <i>letter</i> from the Abu Dhabi license office. There you go, the stereotypical bureaucratic red-tape.<br /><br />That is where the process currently hangs. At least the RTA office provided in Arabic a letter which they also placed in a sealed envelope with whatever details or instructions I presume the Abu Dhabi office will be in need of. Thereby, hopefully, avoiding my going to the AD office only to be told that I need something else from the Dubai office.<br /><br />To be continued...</td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1GfrBXSI/AAAAAAAAG6c/vknT08guXSw/s1600-h/dsc_1396a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsM1GfrBXSI/AAAAAAAAG6c/vknT08guXSw/dsc_1396a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387207964962676002" /></a><br/><i><font color="white">A shaky low-light condition digital snapshot<br />creates an artistic impression of the view through the driverless train window.</font></i></td></tr></table><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-11604221442126671512009-09-29T01:50:00.004+04:002009-09-29T02:03:27.357+04:00Creatures of Habit<table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6DfxUxfOI/AAAAAAAAG40/FxWQaXya9fA/s1600-h/dsc_1248.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;height: 550px;margin:0 25px 12px 0;float:left;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6DfxUxfOI/AAAAAAAAG40/FxWQaXya9fA/dsc_1248.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385886786221341922" /></a>How many of us continue with the same routine, even when it may not be advantageous to do so?<br /><br />I recently moved to Ajman, in order to shorten my daily commute to work in Dubai. Yes--shorten. It used to be a 300 km round-trip drive from Abu Dhabi. <br /><br />Now thanks to being <i>conveniently</i> located in Ajman and with a little help from the metro, my driving distance is only 55 km return. It's a big improvement in mileage, with my car suffering badly from overuse after a year and half of the AD-Dubai daily run. <br /><br />What I haven't reduced, however, is the time it takes. Thanks to Sharjah traffic and the metro-bus routine without benefit of any nearby stations, it still takes 4 hrs of my day to get to and from work.<br /><br />When I was new to Ajman I found it an interesting challenge each day to find the shortest (first priority) and fastest route to Dubai. Each day I made my way through different Sharjah routes. Having found the shortest route, I never wanted to deviate from it, even though there were days when traffic made the trip especially long. </td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6Dgenxx9I/AAAAAAAAG48/cwhE2fnNk9w/s1600-h/dsc_1245.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6Dgenxx9I/AAAAAAAAG48/cwhE2fnNk9w/dsc_1245.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385886798380648402" /></a>I had been hearing that the trip could be be faster on Emirates Rd., but there was one day when it took me 2.5 hours to navigate that road and finally make it into work in Dubai. After that I would be more than happy to never see Emirates Rd. again, I thought. Even during the night when Emirates Rd. was sure to provide a faster alternative, I wouldn't take it. I had become a creature of habit, not willing to give up my familiar route.<br /><br />So, it has happened for me with the metro as well. It has become a hard to break commitment to park my car at Rashidiya station and hop onto the metro. Nevermind that it takes more time than if I took my car to my destination within the city. <br /><br />Nevermind that the traffic isn't bad at all on some of the expressways in Dubai and it is definitely clear at certain times of day. Nevermind even that I find I'm running late for work. I've become hardwired to leave my car at Rashidiya station.</td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsEjygFJyiI/AAAAAAAAG6M/Dpl-lnYOBl4/s1600-h/dsc_1354.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:700px; ;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsEjygFJyiI/AAAAAAAAG6M/Dpl-lnYOBl4/dsc_1354.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386625979823802914" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>Al Kazim twin towers in Media City--new Dubai.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />I don't suppose I am the only creature of habit like this. It is likely that most of us are. As to why I am such a metro enthusiast, I suppose there are two reasons. One is that I'm a big fan of how Dubai modernizes as a futuristic city, and the metro is one manifestation of that. The other is that I have some nostalgia for train commutes after having lived in Japan for 11 years. Riding trains everyday to go everywhere is the only way to travel for most people there.<br /><br /><font color="red"><b>Latest on wifi...</b></font> The RTA's site, with all of its links can be browsed without logging in to the Du hotspot on the metro. So, while you're stuck not able to get a successful login, even after biting the bullet and deciding to go for one of the very limited wifi packages, you can fully explore the RTA's own website.<br /><br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Byline <i>Plus 50</i>--a little aside:</b></font><hr/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsEsbdLr7-I/AAAAAAAAG6U/J6ttdQOevIw/s1600-h/dsc_1374a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; height: 150px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SsEsbdLr7-I/AAAAAAAAG6U/J6ttdQOevIw/s400/dsc_1374a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386635479513559010" /></a><i>Take the anger from a broken heart, feel no pain.</i> <br /><br />Just picked up this line in an old, otherwise familiar Phil Collins song. Rings true. Perhaps it's the anger that really hurts, not the sadness.<br /><br />Have you ever heard that <i>free will</i>'s an illusion? An intriguing thought I sometimes ponder.<br /><br /><font style="float:right"><i>Bruce Dauphin, 50 words</i></font><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-32381067367052504912009-09-27T22:40:00.005+04:002009-09-27T22:45:43.720+04:00Quasi-Holiday<table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6Gy5MonnI/AAAAAAAAG5U/Y4m_qEfGArQ/s1600-h/dsc_1342.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:800px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6Gy5MonnI/AAAAAAAAG5U/Y4m_qEfGArQ/dsc_1342.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385890413287087730" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>Financial Center station: one of the planned 3000 security personnel pegged to guard Dubai's metro system.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />Successful Du payment and login this time... finally (27-Sep, evening). Then, a very long 7 minutes before I could log in and get my target page to load (28-Sep, morning)--<i>see also <a href="http://uv999.blogspot.com/2009/09/rashidiya-station-by-car-wifi-tricky.html">wifi no goes...</a>.</i><br /><br />Evening train on Saturday, a quasi-holiday. Not crowded at all in the station nor on the trains. Friday is much more the busier day. I'm in the gold class which has some Emirati shebab (young guys), a couple of families with a lot of children and a mix of other nationalities. It sort of seems there are too many kids running around in this cabin. I think the <i>5 and under free</i> shouldn't qualify for this cabin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr-p6IdbwoI/AAAAAAAAG6E/_c1-xM7dew0/s1600-h/dsc_1276b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr-p6IdbwoI/AAAAAAAAG6E/_c1-xM7dew0/s400/dsc_1276b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386210495526847106" /></a><font color="white"><i><< Burj Bubai?</i></font><br /><br />I tried the feeder bus today from Financial Center station to Dubai Mall. The bus comes quickly--good frequency--but the route to the mall is rather circuitous and the drop off point is not at any mall entrance. One has to first guess which way it is to an entrance and then start hiking. My guess was wrong, so it was a long walk into one car entrance after another before finally finding a walk-in entrance to the Mall. <br /><br />So, I doubt many shoppers will make use of this means of transport, especially if they know what it entails. It is a workaround measure until the Burj Dubai station opens, but even then will there be any better way to get from station to mall? A tram was originally planned but that seems nowhere in sight.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">More Bits & Pieces</font></b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6DgpGEO5I/AAAAAAAAG5E/6OPdX2Do9o0/s1600-h/dsc_1241c.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6DgpGEO5I/AAAAAAAAG5E/6OPdX2Do9o0/s400/dsc_1241c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385886801192041362" /></a><i><font color="white">Precariously hanging barricades below sign. >></font></i><br /><br />An earlier post included a write-up on car access to Rashidiya station, but I didn't have any photos to illustrate the post. Now I do, and I will be sending one of these to the RTA as it reveals the car entrance to the parking structure involving cars narrowly avoiding a precariously hanging barrier. <br /><br />I will also be sending in the funny RTA bus sign which reads <i>Burj Bubai</i> instead of <i>Burj Dubai</i>. Not a big deal, I know, but it's a shame to mangle the name of the cities' proudest landmark.<br /><br />The previous post details first and last train timings, and it is rather a shame that the final train out of some stations is just after 10 p.m. That means there is little chance of relying on the train to enjoy an evening out without having to rush to make the last train, especially if one has to get a connecting bus first. I would have thought that the publicized 11:00 pm end of service would have meant 11:00 pm for last departure.<br /><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6GzmKJt5I/AAAAAAAAG5k/RMiYYdHbyJo/s1600-h/dsc_1349.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;margin:0 0 5px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6GzmKJt5I/AAAAAAAAG5k/RMiYYdHbyJo/dsc_1349.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385890425356269458" /></a><br/><font color="white"><i>Last train approaching Rashidiya station</i></font></td></tr></table><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-61284286283094034502009-09-27T01:53:00.024+04:002009-09-28T00:19:12.624+04:00First & Last (Metro Station Timings)<font color="#ffff99">Knowing when to be there...</font><br /><br /><blockquote>Reading this table:<br /><br /><i>From Rashidiya station get the first morning train at 6:00 am toward Nakheel Harbour & Tower. <br />In the evening, get the last train toward NH & T at 22:10.</i></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6H12L4PsI/AAAAAAAAG5s/sEbSlxF85m4/s1600-h/dsc_1243.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;float:right;margin:0px 55px 15px 25px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6H12L4PsI/AAAAAAAAG5s/sEbSlxF85m4/s400/dsc_1243.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385891563529846466" /></a><br /><table><tr><td colspan=3 align=center><font color="red"><b>Rashidiya to Nakheel Harbour & Tower</b></font><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Saturday - Thursday Metro Timings</font></b><br/><br/></td></tr><tr><td><b>Station</b><br/></td><td><b>First Train <br/></b></td><td><b>Last Train</b><br/></td></tr><tr><td>Rashidiya</td><td>6:00</td><td>22:10</td></tr><tr><td>Airport Terminal 3</td><td>6:04</td><td>22:14</td></tr><tr><td>Deira City Centre</td><td>6:10</td><td>22:20</td></tr><tr><td>Al Rigga</td><td>6:12</td><td>22:22</td></tr><tr><td>Union</td><td>6:15</td><td>22:25</td></tr><tr><td>Khalid Bin al Waleed</td><td>6:17</td><td>22:27</td></tr><tr><td>Al Jafiliya</td><td>6:21</td><td>22:31</td></tr><tr><td>Financial Centre</td><td>6:26</td><td>22:36</td></tr><tr><td>Mall of the Emirates</td><td>6:39</td><td>22:49</td></tr><tr><td>Nakheel Harbour & Tower </td><td>6:50 (arv)</td><td>23:00 (arv)</td></tr></table><br /><br /><blockquote>Reading this table:<br /><br /><i>I finish work near the Financial Centre at 10 p.m. What's the last train I can get back to Rashidiya?<br />It's at 10:36 p.m.</i></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6H2gtwFBI/AAAAAAAAG58/d0UUedMSK6Q/s1600-h/dsc_1249.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:55px 0px 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sr6H2gtwFBI/AAAAAAAAG58/d0UUedMSK6Q/s400/dsc_1249.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385891574946206738" /></a><table><tr><td colspan=3 align=center><b><font color="red">Nakheel Harbour & Tower to Rashidiya</font><br /><font color="#ffff99">Saturday - Thursday Metro Timings</font></b><br/><br/></td></tr><tr><td><b>Station</b><br/></td><td><b>First Train </b><br/></td><td><b>Last Train</b><br/></td></tr><tr><td>Nakheel Harbour & Tower </td><td>6:02</td><td>22:12</td></tr><tr><td>Mall of the Emirates</td><td>6:13</td><td>22:23</td></tr><tr><td>Financial Centre</td><td>6:26</td><td>22:36</td></tr><tr><td>Al Jafiliya</td><td>6:30</td><td>22:40</td></tr><tr><td>Khalid Bin al Waleed</td><td>6:34</td><td>22:44</td></tr><tr><td>Union</td><td>6:37</td><td>22:47</td></tr><tr><td>Al Rigga</td><td>6:39</td><td>22:49</td></tr><tr><td>Deira City Centre</td><td>6:42</td><td>22:52</td></tr><tr><td>Airport Terminal 3</td><td>6:47</td><td>22:57</td></tr><tr><td>Rashidiya</td><td>6:52 (arv)</td><td>23:02 (arv)</td></tr></table><br /><br /><b>See also: <br /><a href="http://uv999.blogspot.com/2009/09/whats-in-number.html">What's in a Number</a></b>, for a sequential list of metro related number facts.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-63824222594389527212009-09-24T11:25:00.013+04:002009-09-25T01:04:54.491+04:00Rashidiya Station by Car, Wifi & Tricky Nols<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrsZkrcCR6I/AAAAAAAAG2A/94gQvhHZFAM/s1600-h/rashidiyaatation.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px; float:left;margin:0 25px 7px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrsZkrcCR6I/AAAAAAAAG2A/94gQvhHZFAM/s400/rashidiyaatation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384925897377859490" /></a><font color="white"><i><< Train entering Rashidiya station toward Nakheel Harbour & Towers terminus.</i></font><br /><br />Rashidiya station access by car is the topic I will look at first today. There are two entrances that I know of, possibly a third. <br /><br />One is easily taken by following Airport Rd. from the direction of city center toward Khawaneej. There are signs to guide you as you near the station and finally enter by exiting right and following the driveway into the parking structure.<br /><br />A second entrance is from Emirates Rd., Dubai bound from Sharjah. Again there are signs as one approaches the Rashidiya exit which requires one to basically keep right until eventually reaching the parking entrance ramp, at which point cars follow the left lane and buses/truckes follow the right. (It is all clearly marked, but the key is to remain in the far right lane while exiting Emirates Rd.)<br /><br />I presume there is a third access route when coming from Emirates Rd., Sharjah bound, which most likely merges with the ramp from the Dubai bound Emirates Rd. exit. In addition, if coming along Airport Rd. from the direction of Khawaneej, one can make a U-turn at the signal just in front of the station and take the immediate right exit into the parking structure.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Wifi no goes....</b></font><br /><br />My wifi troubles continue. I decided to go for as unfettered usage as possible by opting for the expensive 200 dhs package which gives one 60 hrs of use within a 60-day validity period. (It's a <i>sucky</i> package but that is the best per minute rate available.)<br /><br />Lo and behold one cannot register with a credit card but must go and buy a Du prepaid card from somewhere. The only credit card option available is one hour for 10 dhs. So, frustrated but with no other choice, I enter all my details online to make the 10 dhs payment.<br /><br />Press submit... OK. Then press proceed... nothing. Press again, wait 2, 3, 4 minutes, still nothing.<br /><br />I go back to repeat the process. Enter all details and press submit... OK. Then press proceed.... Nothing! Effectively, there is no way to get online. My wifi experience on the metro just gets more and more complicated as the days go by.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Tricky Nol...</b></font><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srupjf6McpI/AAAAAAAAG2I/sFQNXk0VD-Y/s1600-h/dubaimallceiling.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 15px 25px;float:right;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srupjf6McpI/AAAAAAAAG2I/sFQNXk0VD-Y/s400/dubaimallceiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385084206777660050" /></a><font color="white"><i>Confused by Nol? Or is it just one of the interesting ceilings in the Dubai Mall? >></i></font><br /><br /> I don't think I have the knack of using the Nol card correctly yet. Does anyone?<br /><br />A pamphlet handed out to me on the bus today explains that one must continue to tap the Nol card on the reader until a green flashing light appears. On exiting the bus and tapping my card, I saw only a yellow light, and somewhat distracted with a heavy bag and hands occupied I exited without re-tapping.<br /><br />The lesson to be learnt, <i>be very attentive with the Nol card!</i> Focus, focus, make sure hands are free and any otherwise distracting issues have been put aside. <br /><br />Take the Nol card in hand, zero in on the reader, wave, wiggle, press or tap the card on the reader, pay attention to all flashing lights and numbers and be ready to repeat the procedure if need be. (This applies to using the Nol card with the bus--at least on the metro the wicket won't let you through until the procedure is properly carried out.)<br /><br />Now, please go back and review the process again. Fail to master it at your own peril.<br /><br />Still, this leaves unanswered questions. Is there a window of time in which one must scan his/her Nol card before exiting the bus? E.g. do you scan it before the bus has stopped, while it is stopping or after it has completely stopped--or can you just take the exit scan at anytime? Can misreading occur, i.e. can a scan to get off the bus be mistakenly read as a scan to get on the bus, thus resulting in a double charge of some sort?<br /><br />Just a few issues surrounding the tricky Nols. I'm sure any one who has used either bus or metro since the Nol cards debuted has a few of his or her own.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Update:</b><br /><br />Seeing the yellow light after scanning my Nol card on exiting the bus this morning, I feared my scan was in error and I would thus be penalized. In the evening on scanning when exiting the bus again, the same result: solid yellow light, not green and flashing. So why, I wonder, does the RTA explanation read:<br /><blockquote>How to use NOL Card/Ticket...<br /><br /><ul><li>Check out at the end of journey by tapping the card/ticket on the card readers.<br /><li>A successful tag is followed by the green light blinking, and this means that the check-in/check-out was successful.<br /><li>Must continue tapping the reader until the green light blinks.</ul></blockquote></font><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrvYA5c75AI/AAAAAAAAG2U/93DGcgTc9Ts/s1600-h/dsc_1226a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;margin:0 0 5px 0;float:left;margin:0 25px 15px 0px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrvYA5c75AI/AAAAAAAAG2U/93DGcgTc9Ts/s400/dsc_1226a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385135289385346050" /></a><font color="#ffff99">This info is contained in a pamphlet I was handed while sitting on the bus this morning. However, having done the check-out procedure twice now, I have yet to see any green light, only yellow. Am I color blind?<br /><br />As I've said, <i>tricky Nol</i>. In the end both check-outs registered as normal and I was not charged any additional fares. It was a false alarm, but it certainly added to my confusion today.</font><br /><br /><br /><font color="white"><i><< SZR towers near Financial Center metro station at dusk.</i></font></td></tr></table><br /><b>P.S.</b><hr/><br />For clarification (maybe) visit the <a href="http://www.nol.ae/">NOL home</a>--it's actually a well-laid out, informative site.<br /><br />Read a fascinating description of an upcoming attraction for another one of Dubai's incredible landmarks:<br /><a href="http://www.emaar.com/index.aspx?page=press-release-details&id=929">Experience At The Top of the world vistas at Burj Dubai observatory</a>.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-21338350666523032102009-09-23T21:03:00.013+04:002009-09-23T21:53:15.163+04:00Metro Etiquette?<table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNGW0DExI/AAAAAAAAG14/0SgJImJz_OE/s1600-h/dubaimall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;margin:0 25px 15px 0;float:left; height: 600px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNGW0DExI/AAAAAAAAG14/0SgJImJz_OE/dubaimall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384701076073288466" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i><< Dubai Mall looking fancy, with Eid celebrants and shoppers.</i></font><br /><br /><br />The evening commute, about 6 pm, saw a crowded, but not packed train. <br /><br />Migrating to the less crowded carriages I found a set of four seats (2 facing 2) with one empty. In the other 3 seats were 3 women shrouded in black. As I sat down in the empty seat the three ladies reacted with obvious disapproval.<br /><br />Shall I stay seated? Of course I will, I thought. There is a separate ladies' cabin if they object to the presence of a man, I thought--and after all, they were shrouded in black. What more defenses did they need?<br /><br />Before I could make a stand to hold my ground they gestured toward a man sitting across the aisle from us, obviously one in their party, to exchange his seat with me.<br /><br />We exchanged seats, confrontation averted. <br /><br />So what is proper etiquette here? They could share a seat with a man in their party, so why did they not do so from the beginning? And again, there is the women and children's cabin available to them, so I feel I was in the right to remain seated.<br /><br />I was lucky anyway to have a seat, whichever one it was. I could then whip out my laptop and begin editing some photos. <br /><br />I had checked the gold cabin to see if it was perhaps not full while all the other cabins were. Indeed, that was the case; it wasn't full. So, it would seem if one really wants a seat, then he or she is likely to get one in the gold cabin even while all others are full.</td></tr></table><br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNFVluiUI/AAAAAAAAG1o/I6jmyTLAjZo/s1600-h/harman_house.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;margin:0 25px 15px 0;float:left;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNFVluiUI/AAAAAAAAG1o/I6jmyTLAjZo/harman_house.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384701058564917570" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i><< Speaking of fancy, what great design at Harman Kardmon!</i></font><br /><br /><br />Is it really good etiquette to indulge in my laptop while riding, instead of possibly interacting with fellow riders? <br /><br />As a touch typist, I'm usually able to look around or at least glance up while typing. So I'm quite ready to make that connection with fellow commuters, should the opportunity avail itself.</td></tr></table><br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNFEXCqmI/AAAAAAAAG1g/U1tmul4yelQ/s1600-h/flattv.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;float:right;margin:0 0 15px 25px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrpNFEXCqmI/AAAAAAAAG1g/U1tmul4yelQ/s400/flattv.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384701053939919458" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>What a great combination of TV and stand--also at Harman House. Unfortunately the stand was for display only. >></i></font><br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Speaking of the laptop...</b></font><br /><br /> I still have gripes with the wifi--the high cost and the nuisance involved in having to log in each time even if you've paid. I don't think I've even seen anyone else using a laptop while riding, besides myself. <br /><br />Am I the only nerd, or is the not-so-practical wifi service putting people off?<br /><br />I've come to reason that the most practical payment option is to go for 25 hours at 100 dhs. That way I would not have to worry about always logging in and logging off to avoid wasting expensive minutes. <br /><br />But even this plan is rather unreasonable as it expires in 30 days. So, if you don't use it you easily lose it. <br /><br />Du, the provider, really has a consumer unfriendly service.</td></tr></table><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-26795988932691959642009-09-23T07:37:00.010+04:002009-09-23T17:13:54.847+04:00Gold Class<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrnD8PjIrZI/AAAAAAAAG1I/MEHoGF1qVYY/s1600-h/DSC_1217a.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 25px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrnD8PjIrZI/AAAAAAAAG1I/MEHoGF1qVYY/DSC_1217a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384550269231607186" /></a><font color="white"><i>A little bit of class--gold class cabin comforts. >></i></font><br /><br />Today I've decided to try a bit of luxury by taking the gold class. It's something one has to try as I suppose it is a novelty for a metro. I have been on over a dozen different metro systems around the world and this is the first I've seen with different classes.<br /><br />So, how does it differ from the cattle classes? Well, actually, the regular cabins are fine as they are. The seating is comfortable, the decor nice and there is ample space, except of course when the train fills up. <br /><br />At the beginning run of the line--on those first heady days--there were no class distinctions, it seems, as everyone simply boarded and sat or stood where they liked. Many people were so enthusiastic about taking photos (myself included) that they loaded into the gold class cabin for a view through the picture window at the front of the driverless trains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrmYh0t2e0I/AAAAAAAAG0w/2QifIcVxkRI/s1600-h/dsc_1193.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 7px 25px;float:right;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrmYh0t2e0I/AAAAAAAAG0w/2QifIcVxkRI/s400/dsc_1193.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384502536352201538" /></a><font color="white"><i></i>Tunneling toward the underground stations. >></font><br /><br />Now, as I start my gold class journey I find that I'm in the company of several Emiratis. It is the whole idea of this class that it will coax Emiratis to give up their cars. They would otherwise shun any form of public transportation as, shall I say, being below them. Such have many Emiratis been spoiled by the many luxuries available to those with money and position in this country.<br /><br />Time will tell whether the ruler's plan works and gold class is successful in getting more Emiratis to ride. The cabin, itself, makes up only half of a single carriage so it isn't particularly large, and it seats only 18 or so. <br /><br />The key attraction of this class, in fact, is the seats--of padded leather, with head and arm rests. Well, I can confirm that the seats are very comfortable, more befitting a longer journey, rather than a workday commute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrmYiN7Ao0I/AAAAAAAAG04/3vRxaPcWWsU/s1600-h/dsc_1204.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 25px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrmYiN7Ao0I/AAAAAAAAG04/3vRxaPcWWsU/s400/dsc_1204.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384502543118279490" /></a><font color="white"><i><< One of the larger underground stations, Union Station.</i></font><br /><br />I have to say I am really enjoying the way riding in this class facilitates typing on my laptop. Also, the front-facing orientation of some of the seats allows one to look right out through the front of the train, which is particularly nice. Is it worth the cost, which is double that of the regular fare? I would say definitely yes, but only if your ride is more that just a couple of stops. There would be no point in doing it for only a 10 or 15 minute hop, skip and jump.<br /><br />Interestingly there are seat trays on seat backs allowing those seated behind them to have their coffee and donut. But then, there is no eating on the trains, so one will have to store something else there. It has a luggage compartment too, so this may be the way to go if you are riding to the airport.<br /><br />How, you may wonder, do they restrict non-gold card carriers from riding in this section? One passes through the ticket wicket with his/her respective card and then is able to choose wherever he/she likes to sit or stand on the train. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrnD7sFMPTI/AAAAAAAAG1A/UULc9PLeGf0/s1600-h/DSC_1221a.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 25px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrnD7sFMPTI/AAAAAAAAG1A/UULc9PLeGf0/DSC_1221a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384550259710770482" /></a><font color="white"><i>After the metro, it's a bus ride for me along Sheikh Zayed Road. >></i></font><br /><br />Well, today on entering the gold class cabin we were asked to show our cards. It seems that the cabin crew are ready to take a quick inspection of the cards of anyone boarding the gold class cabin at every stop. So, it is good to keep one's card in hand. <br /><br />That said, it is still a matter of the honor system. The cards are not scanned so anyone carrying a spare gold card may flash it whether they used it to enter the station interior or not. This will probably change in time.<br /><br />The main thing I would miss in taking the gold cabin is the opportunity to mix with more of Dubai's working classes.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-62811316362089889562009-09-22T15:51:00.004+04:002009-09-22T16:24:29.655+04:00Crowd Control<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrirzMo6MrI/AAAAAAAAGxw/dFuD1JV5qXw/s1600-h/dsc_1119b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;margin:0 20px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrirzMo6MrI/AAAAAAAAGxw/dFuD1JV5qXw/s400/dsc_1119b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384242250575917746" /></a><font color="white"><i><< Rashidiya metro station picking up Eid passenger traffic.</i></font><br /><br />Yesterday, the second day of Eid and a nearly universal holiday for workers, meant there were going to be crowds at the more popular city attractions, and the metro is probably near the top of the list of things to experience in Dubai. <br /><br />I would have preferred to avoid the metro, but it was my only chance to treat to the experience an out of town friend who otherwise wouldn't have been able to get the time off.<br /><br />We joined hundreds of others in what turned out to be a full-blown, potentially crushing crowd at the Rashidiya station just after sunset. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sritz8kGozI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/bwt-N8RxTVQ/s1600-h/dsc_1119a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 20px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sritz8kGozI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/bwt-N8RxTVQ/s400/dsc_1119a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384244462463918898" /></a><font color="white"><i>Growing crowds of holidaying metro tourists. >></i></font><br /><br />The parking lot had two and a half of its seven levels full--over twice what has thusfar been normal on a work day--and the crowds materialized at the entrance to the foot bridge crossing that leads from the carpark lobby to the ticketing lobby.<br /><br />It was after about an hour of waiting and enduring moderate pushing when we were told by the station managers that the station was closed and no one else would be allowed to enter. <br /><br />The station was not closed, in fact, but this was perhaps the most effective way to manage what were otherwise impossible numbers. It was quite obvious that we were, 99% of us I would presume, <i>metro tourists</i>. So, no harm in being told to just go home. <br /><br />The situation could easily have become hazardous had no crowd control measures been taken or had the crowd been required to wait there much longer.<br /><br />The following measures which were taken in the interim were of limited, but critical, effectiveness:<br /><ol><li>All doors, but one, were closed in order to regulate movement of the crowd from the car park lobby to the ticketing lobby. (In fact, the flow was not regulated but simply halted.)<br /><li>The crowd was held at bay in the car park lobby and on the steps (not good) leading up to the foot bridge which led to the ticketing lobby. (This would prevent crowding issues in the ticketing lobby and on the boarding platform but not right there in the car park lobby itself.)<br /><li>Passengers exiting the station were required to take the exit stairs before reaching the car park lobby. (Good move, no caveats on this one.)<br /><li>An English and then an Urdu speaker announced through a megaphone that women and children should migrate to one side of the wide footbridge entrance and men to the other, with a 30:70 ratio of men (the larger number) to women and children (another good move).<br /><li>It was requested that everyone remain patient and calm. (The most simple and effective measure taken.)</ol><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrirydpBGXI/AAAAAAAAGxg/JmWn-ltabWU/s1600-h/dsc_1120.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;margin:0 0 10px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrirydpBGXI/AAAAAAAAGxg/JmWn-ltabWU/dsc_1120.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384242237959903602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><font color="white"><i>⇑ Two station officials attempt to control the crowds. Man at right (speaking in English) cool and collected but soon nowhere to be seen, man at left (speaking in Urdu) making a frantic and noble attempt to keep things under control.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />Thankfully, the final two measures helped to avoid a potentially fatal push from the back of the crowd into the barricade of closed and blocked doors at the front. However, that did not prevent the male side of the crowd from becoming a bit aggressive when it seemed that some were finally being let through. <br /><br />In response Emirati security personnel showed up and attempted to crudely order the crowd to line-up. That failing and clearly not possible due to the placement of the crowd, it was finally announced that the station was closed.<br /><br />In the final analysis, there were at least two serious potential hazards in this situation, one, the closed doors leaving a portion of the crowd juxtaposed on steps with a growing crowd behind them, and the other, the long time (one hour) in which the crowd was left to swell without any information on when or how they would be eventually allowed to enter. <br /><br />The crowd should have been dispersed in half that time if, as was the case, it was not possible to allow any flow into the station.<br /><br />To the credit of the station masters, they did use a megaphone to address the crowd and in the two languages which were probably the most widely understood. It was also wise on their part to separate the men from the women & children. It was, in fact, not an unruly crowd--most seemed to appreciate our predicament. However, crowds will be crowds--people will eventually begin to jostle, and this did begin to happen.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Simple Alternatives</b></font><hr/><br />People seem to forget that there are nearly always alternative courses of action one may take. One of those alternatives is to just abandon your plans and accept that there will be another day. Nothing, not even getting to work on time or getting there at all, is all important. When there is too much fog on the road, just call in and say you can't make it. When you're too tired, just pull off the road and take a nap.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SriryIDpwTI/AAAAAAAAGxY/eTfgs-cTLyI/s1600-h/dsc_1142.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 20px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SriryIDpwTI/AAAAAAAAGxY/eTfgs-cTLyI/s400/dsc_1142.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384242232166039858" /></a><font color="white"><i><< The giant aquarium, one of Dubai Mall's star attractions.</i></font><br /><br />The prudent measure was to announce the closure of the station. In whatever way people had gotten to the station, they could just as well leave the station in the same way. <br /><br />I left in my car, with my small group of friends, and we drove to Dubai Mall where we also met huge holiday crowds. It was still a good evening out.<br /><br />Later, when one in my party asked to be driven to the fish market area of Deira, I had to politely refuse. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srirxkv3DlI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/vg_hRwjwnXU/s1600-h/dsc_1166.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 0 7px 20px;float:right;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srirxkv3DlI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/vg_hRwjwnXU/s400/dsc_1166.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384242222687784530" /></a><font color="white"><i>Dubai Mall and the Burj Dubai tower's other main attraction, the free of cost Lake Fountain performance. >></i></font>.<br /><br />I suppose he hadn't learned his lesson at the metro station, but I certainly had. I didn't want to lose another hour, this time trapped in a line of cars in Shindhaga tunnel. <br /><br />I decided we would try Rashidiya station again, but instead of taking the parking lot entrance over the footbridge, we could enter the ticket lobby directly from street level. <br /><br />It was two hours after our initial attempt and by this time the crowds had all cleared. My friends all got their first metro ride after all.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Studio on Rails</b></font><hr/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srity9OM5-I/AAAAAAAAGx4/Bv6_o29UDk4/s1600-h/dsc_1212.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 20px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Srity9OM5-I/AAAAAAAAGx4/Bv6_o29UDk4/s400/dsc_1212.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384244445460621282" /></a><font color="white"><i><< I'm always camera-ready on the metro.</i></font><br /><br />Dubai metro could take on this monicker. <br /><br />Having debuted at a time when the mobile phone camera is ubiquitous and there are at least 2 mobile phones per capita in the UAE, there is no shortage of photographers on the metro trains.<br /><br />A few of us even carry our SLRs and it seems both the officials and the passengers are comfortable with camera toting enthusiasts like me. Two passengers willingly allowed me to use the metro as their canvas. (It was their request and my pleasure to comply!)<br /><br />If anyone notices this 6-foot forty-something on board with camera in hand, just say <i>cheese</i> and I'll be your willing photographer.<br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SritzfpeZeI/AAAAAAAAGyA/fT_0l4eJijw/s1600-h/dsc_1196.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;margin:60px 15px 15px 0;width:600px;;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SritzfpeZeI/AAAAAAAAGyA/fT_0l4eJijw/dsc_1196.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384244454701819362" /></a></td><td valign=top><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SritzjRi-QI/AAAAAAAAGyI/ao0x0rUkDLQ/s1600-h/dsc_1186.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SritzjRi-QI/AAAAAAAAGyI/ao0x0rUkDLQ/s400/dsc_1186.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384244455675197698" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align=center colspan=2><font color="white"><i>The metro is proving a good place to meet new people, like the two I met happy to have their photos taken, and I happy to oblige.</i></font></table><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-57538474987504562612009-09-20T00:38:00.011+04:002009-09-20T08:22:16.906+04:00Terminal 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVOmd4avuI/AAAAAAAAGns/qh-NiijBvnM/s1600-h/dsc_1032.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px; float:left;margin:0 20px 7px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVOmd4avuI/AAAAAAAAGns/qh-NiijBvnM/s400/dsc_1032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383295352354553570" /></a>It was evening Saturday, on the eve of Eid. <br /><br />I somewhat reluctantly took the metro thinking it would be crowded with holiday riders. <br /><br />My friend wanted to buy an airline ticket and I suggested we do it at Terminal 3 rather than taking the metro to Deira City Center or Mall of the Emirates, where I was sure we would face crowds.<br /><br />It was also a good excuse to see both the terminal metro station and the new terminal itself. <br /><br />It was a very short ride from Rashidiya station to T3 station--only one stop. <br /><br />Rashidiya station wasn't crowded although there were obviously holiday riders--more women, children and families than one would see during the week.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNjdVBP5I/AAAAAAAAGnk/J6gvg557Hwo/s1600-h/dsc_0999.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 15px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNjdVBP5I/AAAAAAAAGnk/J6gvg557Hwo/s400/dsc_0999.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383294201154846610" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i>The metro viaduct snakes toward the airport from Rashidiya.>></i></font><br /><br />I decided to explore the 7 level parking structure at the station with my friend, as I had the time, unlike when commuting to work. <br /><br />It was surprising to see how massive the structure was with so little of it yet being utilized. There were fully seven levels of parking but only Level 1 and half of Level 2 had cars--only a small percentage of the 2700 car capacity. <br /><br />The top level in fact was still partly under construction.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNjASj10I/AAAAAAAAGnc/eHZWBVfA4a0/s1600-h/dsc_1001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px; float:left;margin:0 20px 7px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNjASj10I/AAAAAAAAGnc/eHZWBVfA4a0/s400/dsc_1001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383294193359902530" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i><< Train returns to Rashidiya station after switching tracks. </i></font><br /><br />The top level also offered a vantage point for viewing the metro station and any incoming trains from above. <br /><br />From there I could see how the trains leave the terminus and then soon return by simply switching tracks and heading back into the station, with carriages in the same orientation. <br /><br />What this means is that the privileged Gold Class compartment is at the rear of the train when Rashidaya bound and, then, only at the head of the train when traveling from Rashidiya to Nakheel Harbour & Tower station at the opposite end of the line.<br /><br /><br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>All Quiet on Both Fronts</b></font><hr/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNiqpBkAI/AAAAAAAAGnU/wY4yK7ZXbZY/s1600-h/dsc_1017.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 15px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNiqpBkAI/AAAAAAAAGnU/wY4yK7ZXbZY/s400/dsc_1017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383294187548545026" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i>Terminal 3 metro platforms, one above the other. >></i></font><br /><br />It doesn't seem that airport commuters have taken to making much use of the metro yet as I have yet to see many passengers either embarking or disembarking there. <br /><br />Today, my friend and I were the only ones to alight at the Terminal 3 station. The station itself was gleaming, and of very different design from the other stations. <br /><br />It is smaller and interestingly has its two platforms stacked above and below each other.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNiQ_8NSI/AAAAAAAAGnM/egOD5czOCpU/s1600-h/dsc_1023.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px; float:left;margin:0 20px 7px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNiQ_8NSI/AAAAAAAAGnM/egOD5czOCpU/s400/dsc_1023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383294180665341218" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i><< The optical illusion of an escalator going down then up is somewhat disorientating on the T3 footbridge.</i></font><br /><br />One takes the footbridge from the station directly into the airport terminal and again the design is completely different from that at any of the other foot bridgers. <br /><br />The moving sidewalk, ironically, is much narrower--perhaps to discourage the transport of large pieces of luggage. <br /><br />Once reaching Terminal 3 one finds himself/herself in a massive hall. But like the station it was extremely quiet of human traffic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNh2W_VEI/AAAAAAAAGnE/_mAHd0URKoI/s1600-h/dsc_1029.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 5px 15px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVNh2W_VEI/AAAAAAAAGnE/_mAHd0URKoI/s400/dsc_1029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383294173514257474" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i>New terminal big and well-designed, but not particularly elegant. >></i></font><br /><br />I suppose the design of the metro station was intended to complement that of the terminal, but I would say that the metro station designs, whether this one or any of the others, were much more avant garde and stylish than the new airport terminal which, while massive, was rather uninspiring.<br /><br />I feel the metro stations, whatever the type--underground, above ground or the unique airport stations--are so well-designed, not only functionally but even more so aesthetically. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVQhE_0FEI/AAAAAAAAGn8/ottXIStTFZg/s1600-h/dsc_0696.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left;margin:0 20px 15px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrVQhE_0FEI/AAAAAAAAGn8/ottXIStTFZg/s400/dsc_0696.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383297458798597186" /></a><font color="#ffff99"><i><< Futuristic lighting in the Khalid Bin al Waleed station (aka Bur Juman). See <a href="http://uv999.blogspot.com/2009/09/bur-juman-station-bus-travails.html">more of Bur Juman station.</a></i></font><br /><br />Several different adjectives could be used to describe the stations, which incorporate a variety of themes. <br /><br />These include <i>modern, post-modern</i> and <i>futuristic</i>, also <i>historical, elegant</i> and <i>grand</i>. I love these stations... the trains are great, but the stations are incredible!<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-13674369312719187432009-09-17T19:19:00.002+04:002009-09-17T19:45:29.509+04:00Nol Woes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrJIpHkpizI/AAAAAAAAGi4/wDi7-2HXkGk/s1600-h/dsc_0929.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px; margin:0 20px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrJIpHkpizI/AAAAAAAAGi4/wDi7-2HXkGk/s400/dsc_0929.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382444375905766194" /></a><font color="white"><i><< DXB Internaitonal Airport</i></font><br /><br />Bad wifi connection as I took the train home. The signal was fading in and out, and each time out my login was cut. <br /><br />It takes a couple of minutes or so to login each time, so that was as good as having no wifi at all. I suspect there was an issue with the wifi on that particular train.<br /><br />I took a new bus route today--new for me, that is. The X35, I believe, from the Greens into town. <i>X</i> is for express so it was a fast ride in. I met a compatriot of sorts named Zia. Like me he is commuting daily on metro and bus. He said he had studied the network carefully in advance to work out his route, which saves him time, but not money. My commute is just the reverse, saving me money, but not time.<br /><br />I had a bit of luck with the Nol card today. Being short on credits and presuming I would just incur a negative balance I just got on and off the bus even though the reader indicated insufficient funds. Later, however, I found nothing had been deducted from the card or registered for that segment. It was luck that I was not refused boarding by the driver, as it seems some in similar situations have been. This relates to some serious Nol woes... <i>read more in the last section</i>.<br /><br />The 4 pm metro was quite crowded. I stood until a couple of stations further down. If I compare the atmosphere today to the opening days of the metro last week, the sense of thrill among riders seems to have subsided.<br /><br />But if I compare it to the metro commuting experience in other cities where the metro is more established, Dubai<i>-ites</i> seem to be rather silently overjoyed at this new mode of transport. Everyone on board has a generally mild, calm, relaxed disposition. There aren't all the mobile cameras snapping pictures or the giddy racing about from windows to seats to aisles, as on the first couple of days. But one can still sense an inner joy and contentedness.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">The Name Game</font></b><hr/><br />What exactly are the names of the 10 metro stations which are open?<br /><ol><li/><font color="red">Rashidiya</font><li/><font color="red">Dubai International Terminal 3</font> (too long!)<li/><font color="red">Deira City Centre</font><li/><font color="red">Al Rigga</font> (with about 3 "rrr"s)<li/><font color="red">Union</font> (short and sweet)<li/><font color="red">Khalid Bin al Waleed</font> (aka Bur Juman)<li/><font color="red">Al Jafiliya</font> (a rather unfamiliar word to non-Arabic speakers)<li/><font color="red">Financial Centre</font> (sounding somewhat pompous)<li/><font color="red">Mall of the Emirates</font> (notorious already for its crowds and train malfunction issues)<li/><font color="red">Nakheel Harbour & Tower</font> (named after two things which don't and may never exist).</ol><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Nol Card Woes</font></b><hr/><br />I think I'm getting the hang of using these cards. I've had no more mysterious disappearance of credits, which had been mostly due to my own inexperience and my being unaware with regard to its proper use. The big discovery for me was that metro and bus fares are identical, irrespective of the mode of transport you take.<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrJIpXEMkFI/AAAAAAAAGjA/R5keTqaMUUI/s1600-h/dsc_0937.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;margin:15px 0 10px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrJIpXEMkFI/AAAAAAAAGjA/R5keTqaMUUI/dsc_0937.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382444380064616530" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>Metro train running past Dubai Marina in new Dubai.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />The problem it seems is that while the RTA has been running campaigns for months and even years promoting the metro, they have basically sprung the Nol card for bus use on the public without any forewarning. It would appear that there are issues of both the public not knowing how to use the cards properly and malfunction of card reading machines. The result is that Nol card purchasers are losing lots of money and getting very angry.<br /><br />See the <a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10349319.html">public reaction here</a> and be amazed!<br /><br />There are other issues too. Commuters can't find places to top up their Nol cards or buy new ones. If taking the metro only, things seem to be going much smoother. It is the bus commuters who have been caught completely unawares. I would hope the RTA would rectify this issue quickly and I would suggest they take the approach that Abu Dhabi did when introducing its new public bus system. They allowed riders to ride at no charge for at least half a year. The RTA should do the same, at least until they have taken the time to educate the public, got all the card readers on buses working properly and improved the distribution of cards and top up facilities.<br /><br />IS ANYONE AT THE RTA LISTENING?<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-2140350791086576972009-09-17T10:40:00.008+04:002009-09-17T20:20:15.215+04:00Bold Initiatives<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrF9CwDvStI/AAAAAAAAGiI/J_8Vc3Fovv4/s1600-h/dsc_0863.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left;margin:0 25px 7px 0;margin:0 0 7px 20px;float:right;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrF9CwDvStI/AAAAAAAAGiI/J_8Vc3Fovv4/s400/dsc_0863.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382220515898247890" /></a><font color="white"><i>Meeting the city's public transport needs. >></i></font><br /><br /><blockquote>"We are planning to have 90 per cent of Dubai's urban and suburban areas covered with public buses by 2010 with more than 2,000 buses," said Al Dossari.<br /><br />He said the maximum distance to get to the public transport would be 250 metres from a passenger's doorstep once the system is fully operational by the end of next month.<br /><br /><font style="float:right"><i><a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10349579.html">Gulf News_17-Sep-09</a></i></font></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrF_YKVfUVI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/TsE3yz3B-NE/s1600-h/dsc_0896.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left;margin:0 20px 20px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrF_YKVfUVI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/TsE3yz3B-NE/s400/dsc_0896.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382223082752528722" /></a>Fanciful? <br /><br />I came to the UAE 9 years ago and at that time could count the number of bus routes on two hands. <br /><br />Now there are dozens and the investment in buses seems to already be in the thousands. <br /><br />During 2010 both of the metro lines should be fully operational and already it is apparent that feeder buses along the existing line have already made the 250 meters goal a reality in some areas. <br /><br />I can't imagine anywhere else where the commitment to public transport has improved so dramatically within so short a time.<br /><br /><br /><center><table><tr><td align=center><font color="white"><i>Union Station historical museum style interiors (above & below).</i></font><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGB1cPadCI/AAAAAAAAGiY/ioxolOkyp2U/s1600-h/dsc_0889.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; width: 600px; margin:25px 0 0 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGB1cPadCI/AAAAAAAAGiY/ioxolOkyp2U/dsc_0889.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382225784798344226" /></a></td></tr></table></center><br /><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGG9n63XLI/AAAAAAAAGio/sDlytwVxSl0/s1600-h/dsc_0855.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;margin:0 0 15px 25px;float:right;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGG9n63XLI/AAAAAAAAGio/sDlytwVxSl0/dsc_0855.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382231422930476210" /></a><font color="white"><i>A reflective take on the city >></i></font><br /><br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>All alone</b></font> is how I start my train ride today, at the usual time--about 9 a.m. Not a single other soul in my carriage nor in the women's and gold class sections nearby. It's not really a good sign. <br /><br />Anecdotally, morning usage seems to have grown lighter as the week has progressed. Still, it's early days yet.<br /><br />It is another bright, clear morning, with the city quickly coming into focus. My train arrived at the Airport Terminal 3 station where I saw a couple of pax toting big bags on wheels heading into the terminal. <br /><br />I'm not absolutely sure that they had disembarked from the metro, but it would appear so and <font color="#ffff99">it would also seem that heavy bags are allowed on the metro</font>, within reason.<br /><br />I would qualify this by explaining that many workers, especially laborers in the UAE, usually head back to their home contries on vacation or final return with huge parcels--containing the maximum weight allowed. <br /><br />This was formerly 50 kg--a massive amount when packed into a single carton, but I believe that the limit has been reduced in recent years. In any event, these travelers still carry quite a bit with them, so I'm doubtful that this would fall into the metro carry-on allowance.<br /><br />The train has picked up a few more pax in the underground stations, but there are still seats available. With that it's time to attempt to log in and upload before I reach my final stop.</td></tr></table><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Quote of the Day</font></b><hr/><br /><blockquote>"And now our challenge is how to really persuade the UAE people to travel on this train. They will take time but this is there.<br /><br />"Foreigners will travel on it, I will travel, but it will take time to make UAE citizens travel on the train."<br /><br /><font style="float:right"><a href="http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10349576.html"><i>Sheikh Mohammad</a>, ruler of Dubai</i></font></blockquote><br />Will they be convinced to ride the buses, too?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGRl0mVR1I/AAAAAAAAGiw/kBdz4ZdmrHs/s1600-h/dsc_0845.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrGRl0mVR1I/AAAAAAAAGiw/kBdz4ZdmrHs/s400/dsc_0845.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382243108645062482" /></a><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-70358492576807772332009-09-16T17:47:00.018+04:002009-09-20T08:49:54.016+04:00BusingI wasn't thinking much beyond the metro window when I started this blog, but just as interesting is the view from and on the bus. Taking the bus, seems to be an essential component of taking the metro. In that light the unified bus/metro fare makes sense.<br /><center><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEBdMxwkgI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/Gj_Pt0KYg-o/s1600-h/dsc_0870.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;margin:15px 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEBdMxwkgI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/Gj_Pt0KYg-o/dsc_0870.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382084630842216962" /></a><br /><i><font color="white">Dubai 2009--the future is now. Train approaching Financial Center station.</font></i></td></tr></table></center><br />I'd have to say I'm a fan of Dubai's double-decker buses. They're not like the famous Red London buses as the ones in Dubai are all brand new and ultra modern. Riding on the top deck you get an unrivaled and basically free tourist-ready view of the city.<br /><br />Different from the metro, you will find more laborers on the buses, but for the most part the passengers seem to consist of a full variety of the population, excluding Western expats and locals. Actually, there appear to be very few Arabs of any nationality.<br /><br />Oh well, that leaves us with natives of the sub-continent, as it's called, and Filipinos mostly.<br /><br />Sitting in the seat across the aisle from me is a handsome Pashtoon wearing the traditional hospital gown colored pajama garb and a Ramadan beaded cap. For the most part, things shiny and new like these buses and the metro, remain that way in Dubai. I think I'm the only person around toting an expensive camera and laptop, but there is no need to be concerned about anything getting snatched.<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrETunwdy6I/AAAAAAAAGiA/QnOXUJI1X58/s1600-h/dsc_0881.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:15px 5px 10px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrETunwdy6I/AAAAAAAAGiA/QnOXUJI1X58/s400/dsc_0881.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382104721351625634" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>Station entrance of Financial Center</i></font></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOaM998JI/AAAAAAAAGh4/yQb88Y7_660/dsc_0883.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:15px 0 10px 5px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOaM998JI/AAAAAAAAGh4/yQb88Y7_660/s400/dsc_0883.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382098863113833810" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>Bank vault? No, restroom entrance in the station.</i></font></td></tr></table><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOZMiElgI/AAAAAAAAGho/2wKi63pc5bQ/s1600-h/dsc_0886.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right; margin:0 0 15px 20px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOZMiElgI/AAAAAAAAGho/2wKi63pc5bQ/s400/dsc_0886.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382098855708104194" /></a><b><font color="#ffff99">Back on the metro</font></b> I am continuing my commute to Rashidiya. When I boarded, the train was packed. <br /><br />At the first stop I got off and moved up a few carriages to where there was a bit more space. Then, I disembarked again at Union station and took photos on the two station levels there. <br /><br />That done, I came back down to the platform and boarded the next Rashidiya bound train, which was quite empty. <br /><br />I have a seat now, the easier to blog from! The moral of this, if your carriage is too crowded get off and move to another. If the train is still too crowded, then disembark and take the next one.<br /><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOY8PR3CI/AAAAAAAAGhg/FQ5SXmMXCRU/s1600-h/dsc_0908.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;margin:20px 0 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrEOY8PR3CI/AAAAAAAAGhg/FQ5SXmMXCRU/s400/dsc_0908.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382098851334315042" /></a><br /><font color="white"><i>Sun sets on the city--view from the metro at DXB International.</i></font></td></tr></table><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-27161131436575016352009-09-16T07:42:00.007+04:002009-09-16T19:30:16.253+04:00Metro Community<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrED-GX9cUI/AAAAAAAAGhY/5vCVgHIhg3M/s1600-h/dsc_0807.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;margin:0 15px 7px 0; float:left;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SrED-GX9cUI/AAAAAAAAGhY/5vCVgHIhg3M/s400/dsc_0807.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382087395082334530" /></a>This was mentioned on the radio this morning--the supposition that you have a sense of community forming around the metro commute. <br /><br />It's a logical presumption. You may or may not interact with those around you, but I'm sure when one encounters familiar faces, there will be more interaction.<br /><br />There is also the opportunity to interact with the metro system staff, and there is quite a large number at present. On my commute thus far I meet first the parking attendants and various maintenance workers, cleaning staff, customer assistants (who stand in the ticket lobby assisting passengers), ticket sales and information counter staff, security personnel and finally the <i>cabin crew</i>. I was informed today that there are 2 cabin crew personnel and one security officer on my train. There is no driver, of course.<br /><br />There you have it--quite a varied assortment, even more so when you take into account the variety of passengers. I can't say I've done too well on my interpersonal efforts. I shall make more of an attempt to at least greet staff. A few of my encounters have involved wrangling over ticketing issues--already discussed in previous posts.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Wifi</font></b> continues to be a bit of a bane for me. I am quite certain that upload ability is severely limited. At best one might upload a text only post to his/her blog and send off text only emails. Attempting to transfer even a small picture file of less than 100k can mean waiting several minutes, by which time you'll probably need to disembark.<br /><br />My other issue with the Wifi is the cost. At 10 dhs for 60 minutes it takes you back to the days of dial up when you had to disconnect once your page loaded and do your reading offline. As it stands on the metro you'll have your 60 minutes and 10 dhs melt away in no time. This is not what wifi is supposed to be about. It needs to be continuous or it loses half its value. It is as though you had to go and switch on and off the power supply in your home when using electrical appliances in order to avoid being overcharged.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Light passenger traffic</font></b> on the train this morning. Even fewer than yesterday. It's 9:30, roughly the same time as my travel yesterday.<br /><br />Time to sign off, now to get off at my approaching stop.<br /><br />Failed attempt. The time it took to log in and then attempt to upload my post w/o picture was almost 5 minutes by which time I reached my stop. This is very poor performance for a wifi service.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">PS: Complaint/Suggestion</font></b><hr/><br />I have just logged a complaint through the RTA helpline <b>8009090</b> (very handy, good service) about the poor upload capacity and high charge for wifi. I must say, the CS agents are very responsive when taking any suggestions. I will follow up here with any response. If anyone else has concerns on these two issues, please login your complaint as well.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-43662821705267988512009-09-15T12:40:00.011+04:002009-09-16T12:16:46.981+04:00Commuting SuccessMetro traffic still light this morning. One friendly face now on my third day of commuting--security guard Zahir at Rashidiya station. I think I chatted with him on the 10th when everybody excitedly took the early morning ride on the first metro train to depart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZPjO87HI/AAAAAAAAGgw/VqvdYHX1sOs/s1600-h/dsc_0831.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 15px 7px 0;float:left;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZPjO87HI/AAAAAAAAGgw/VqvdYHX1sOs/s400/dsc_0831.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381758940910251122" /></a><< <i><font color="#ffffff">The interior of those lustrous double-decker buses.</font></i><br /><br />It's a hazy morning as usual as I pass the airport on my right, with views of SZR towers in the distance on the left. I can't make out the Burj Dubai today due the haze, despite it otherwise being a bright and sunny day.<br /><br />In my carriage there are only a handful of other riders now at 9:30 a.m. I picked up a new Nol card for a colleague today--wanted to pay by credit card. Unfortunately credit card payment isn't up and running yet, whether for new cards or topping up. The vending machines are operating on a cash only basis, and I was informed that any change provided would only be in coins. So, still some issues to work out there.<br /><br />For anyone considering starting their commute on the Metro, there is no time better than now. With light usage at present one can enjoy a quiet, comfortable ride. Of course, for many people the issue is connecting with home and work when boarding or exiting the metro. <br /><br />I am about to find out after I exit the station whether I have finally cracked the connection riddle. If all goes right, I'll exit at the Financial Center station and walk a hundred meters or so to a nearby bus stop, where I'll be able to take the 98E bus to the office.<br /><br />(Deira City Center, btw, the first underground station and the third stop along the line is the first where I've seen a good number of people to board. There are still lots of empty seats in the carriage, however.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_RGSKh1EI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/2cSFqRieVuo/s1600-h/dsc_0789.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:right;margin:0 0 7px 20px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_RGSKh1EI/AAAAAAAAGgQ/2cSFqRieVuo/s400/dsc_0789.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381749985616450626" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff">SZR with Business Bay towers in the background. >></font></i><br /><br />The fact is, there is a way if there is a will, but I'm sure most people don't have the patience or motivation to find the way. It is cynical to fault the RTA, I feel, when a lot of effort is being made to make things as convenient and usable as possible. No one and no organization is perfect, after all.<br /><br />(Now at Khalid Bin al Waleed station the carriage has finally filled up with all seats taken.)<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">On Disembarkation...</font></b><hr/><br />So, the test today is whether I will finally be successful with the bus. <br /><ul><br /><li/>Correction from yesterday: My mistake, the bus stop I needed does have the 98E bus indicated--I had checked the wrong stop.<br /><li/>The correct stop is about 500 meters from the station, much closer to the preceding metro stop, which is not yet open. So, it is a bit of a walk, but no loss to me--all in a day's exercise.<br /><li/>Feeder buses are coming by on target it seems, separated by 5 to 10 minutes. That should make metro commuting quite easy once all stations are open.<br /><li/>The 98E has also arrived in a timely manner, with only 15 minutes or so between this one and the preceding bus.</ul><br />With that I pronounce my efforts to commute via the metro, finally, a success. I'll be at my office in about 10 minutes of boarding the bus, making the entire metro/bus transfer about 65 minutes. An hour in transit is acceptable, and once the station nearest my office opens I should save another 15 or 20 minutes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZP73Ah3I/AAAAAAAAGg4/i3aUSBSIeb0/s1600-h/dsc_0829.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;float:left; margin:0 15px 7px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZP73Ah3I/AAAAAAAAGg4/i3aUSBSIeb0/s400/dsc_0829.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381758947520710514" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff"><< View of the Greens from top level of double decker.</font></i><br /><br />That said, the metro isn't a timesaver for me. Were I to continue my drive from Ajman rather than parking at Rashidiya station I would need only an additional 20-30 minutes, rather than the hour needed for train and bus. It won't be a timesaver for anyone not living either directly on a Metro line or a feeder bus route. <br /><br />But it is a money saver, and it allows one to do something while commuting--that is, if a seat is available. My total fair for train and bus each way is 2.3 dirham (about 62 US cents). The cost for me to drive with petrol and regular maintenance far exceeds this.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">System Check No.2</font></b><hr/><br />Now that I've worked out the daily work commute, a second test needed is on how reliable the system is for making appointments. I have set myself the task of getting from my office to another--neither being directly on the metro or the feeder lines. I had to do extensive research with <i>Wojathi</i>. The RTA's online <i>journey planner</i>, as it is called, enables you to plan your journey via public transport in precise detail. In this case for example, I'm told what bus to take at what times, how far to walk (time and distance) between connections, and of course, metro timing. It'a a bus-train-bus trip with a kilometer or more of walking in between. Let's see how it goes.<br /><br /><blockquote><font color="#ffff99">Results in and test a FAILURE! <br /><br />The bus part is the problem. While I waited at MOE and watched all the Feeder buses pass by, my normal bus just never showed up. The normally 20-minute trip by car took about 2 hrs and that with finally giving up and taking a taxi.</font></blockquote><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Glitches...</font></b><hr/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_RFUwSbOI/AAAAAAAAGgA/hdiKTMvWNNY/s1600-h/train2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;margin:0 0 7px 15px;float:right;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_RFUwSbOI/AAAAAAAAGgA/hdiKTMvWNNY/s400/train2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381749969131826402" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff">Passing through one of the yet to be opened stations. >></font></i><br /><br />There are bound to be more of these while metro services are still new. This one concerns the wifi connection. I went for the 1-hr, 60-day option, but in just two days it has expired. Did I already use up 1 hour? I'm on the train 15 min to and fro each day, so were I logged in the full time I guess it's plausible. Anyway, I'll sign up again and monitor the time more carefully.<br /><br />One more thing. While the signal is excellent, upload times appear to be very slow, while incoming data is quite fast.<br /><br />I thought my card was once again being mischarged for my journeys but a check at the info station showed all was fine. I guess half of the problem with the cards is that passengers can't monitor their usage independently, so I suspect it will lead to a lot of us thinking incorrectly that we were cheated.<br /><br /><font color="#ffff99"><b>Third time the charm?</b></font><hr/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZQFU7A5I/AAAAAAAAGhA/U7vPcMFxd4U/s1600-h/dsc_0715.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 15px 20px 0px;float:left;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq_ZQFU7A5I/AAAAAAAAGhA/U7vPcMFxd4U/s400/dsc_0715.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381758950062097298" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff"><< The blogger himself, enjoying a metro ride.</i></font><br /><br />Back on the metro now for the third journey of the day, 7 pm and traveling from MOE to Rashidiya. Passenger load is light. A few people standing in some carriages, however, there are still open seats. Let's see if the train gets fuller or emptier as we pass through the city center. It's Ramadan anyway, so that helps thin out the traffic a bit.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-10760460512190580672009-09-14T18:01:00.013+04:002009-09-15T01:16:01.332+04:00PM Commute<table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq59gKeZC8I/AAAAAAAAGd0/55x43PsArOQ/s1600-h/98e_busroute2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:750px;margin:10px 0 10px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq59gKeZC8I/AAAAAAAAGd0/55x43PsArOQ/98e_busroute2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381376596275432386" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>The pride of Dubai: 165-story Burj Dubai, seen through tinted glass from the top deck of the 98E bus.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />It's 6 pm now and I'm on the commute back home, leaving Jafliya station and heading underground to my favorite, Bur Juman station. I won't be getting off there, however. It's back to Rashidiya and then my drive back to Ajman.<br /><br />I struggled with the bus in the morning but am now getting the hang of it. <i>Wojhati</i>, that online route planner with the Arabic name is becoming more user friendly to me. So, with a feeling of accomplishment I got the bus from work on time and on the right route, got a lot of photos enroute and happily topped up my Nol card when I reached the station.<br /><br />From office door, a brief walk to the bus stop, a few minutes wait for the bus, a 10 minute ride, then off the bus and into the station terminal in a couple hundred meters--all like clockwork. Finally!<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_5VKwiVI/AAAAAAAAGeU/ycbZIHuUDp4/s1600-h/nearstation.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;margin:15px 5px 5px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_5VKwiVI/AAAAAAAAGeU/ycbZIHuUDp4/s400/nearstation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381379227665860946" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Burj Dubai seen from ground level.</i></font></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_5AwzLoI/AAAAAAAAGeM/7eiU3PjP2no/s1600-h/fc-station1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;margin:15px 0 5px 5px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_5AwzLoI/AAAAAAAAGeM/7eiU3PjP2no/s400/fc-station1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381379222188273282" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>The Financial Center metro station.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />Once on the train I crowded in the front car with a few other passengers, all wielding cameras or mobile phones and getting snaps of metro rail, buildings that line either side and approaching stations and trains. It's day 4 or 5 of the metro and the buzz is still in the air. I don't know how long we will all be allowed to take photos at will of station, trains, the cabins and our fellow passengers, but it is fun while it lasts.<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_4tbyFkI/AAAAAAAAGeE/JwBYHLCZMP0/s1600-h/station2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;margin:15px 5px 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_4tbyFkI/AAAAAAAAGeE/JwBYHLCZMP0/s400/station2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381379216999847490" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Up the escalator of the station foot bridge.</i></font></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_4WVKW_I/AAAAAAAAGd8/l467LOHS2ew/s1600-h/station3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;margin:15px 0 5px 5px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq5_4WVKW_I/AAAAAAAAGd8/l467LOHS2ew/s400/station3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381379210798062578" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>The foot bridge across Sheikh Zayed Rd.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />There isn't any evidence of rush hour commuting yet as even at this time it is easy to find a seat, although most are taken. The mix of passengers includes the various nationality types who populate the city. Most are men aged 20-40, probably the largest demographic grouping in the city. But there are some women, couples and the odd family. Most of the men appear to be working class or professionals. I see the occasional <i>dishdasha</i> and <i>abaya</i> as well.<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GqEQQXwI/AAAAAAAAGfE/Q1AlQoC3mJw/s1600-h/station6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;margin:15px 5px 5px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GqEQQXwI/AAAAAAAAGfE/Q1AlQoC3mJw/s400/station6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381386662008872706" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>Passengers wait on the platform for their train.</i></font></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GpiAl27I/AAAAAAAAGe8/mGREJVRLXb4/s1600-h/station4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;margin:15px 0 5px 5px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GpiAl27I/AAAAAAAAGe8/mGREJVRLXb4/s400/station4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381386652816366514" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>View of the track through the towers of SZR.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />Over the intercom is a continuing string of BGM--actually a modern sounding, upbeat little melody that repeats every 9 seconds. Announcements are in Arabic then English. Well, I'm just exiting the underground portion of the route with two stations to go to my stop.<br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GolNqFII/AAAAAAAAGek/S3i4Udjx9s0/s1600-h/train4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; height: 273px;margin:15px 0px 5px 10px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GolNqFII/AAAAAAAAGek/S3i4Udjx9s0/s400/train4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381386636496606338" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>A fellow passenger takes in the views.</i></font></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GpZdjKCI/AAAAAAAAGe0/9cXyrIwJbwA/s1600-h/train1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;margin:15px 5px 5px 10px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6GpZdjKCI/AAAAAAAAGe0/9cXyrIwJbwA/s400/train1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381386650521905186" /></a><br /><font color="#ffff99"><i>From the front car it resembles a rollercoaster.</i></font></td></tr></table><br />I'll try to get in a couple more pictures.<br/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6LF3IefuI/AAAAAAAAGfU/QAW9OEYazUU/s1600-h/train6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;margin:0 0px 0 50px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6LF3IefuI/AAAAAAAAGfU/QAW9OEYazUU/train6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381391537569431266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6LFWwgoLI/AAAAAAAAGfM/efGbIKXRXng/s1600-h/train7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; margin:0 0 0 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq6LFWwgoLI/AAAAAAAAGfM/efGbIKXRXng/train7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381391528878973106" /></a><br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-80029858841115066462009-09-14T09:30:00.019+04:002009-09-14T14:32:03.366+04:00CommutingI'm commuting for the second day running, starting from Rashidiya station at about 9 a.m. There are very few passengers on the train and very few cars parked in the 2700 capacity car park. That suggests that commuters, whether from Sharjah or this side of Dubai, have yet to take up the option to park and ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq3uMp6eYrI/AAAAAAAAGdM/5pBSPcjLUnk/s1600-h/metrointerior.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px;float:left;margin:0 15px 10px 0;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq3uMp6eYrI/AAAAAAAAGdM/5pBSPcjLUnk/metrointerior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381219030954566322" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff"><< a Saturday evening on the metro</i></font><br /><br />For me, it's worth it to take the metro. It is nice to have the easy park facility and it saves me 30km in driving daily. Due to high maintenance costs for running up too much mileage, my car needs the break. <br /><br />It doesn't, however, save me any time. None of the 10 stations open are near enough to my work place to exit the station and either walk or take a feeder bus. Also the slowest part of my commute--the drive from Ajman through Sharjah--takes most of the time. <br /><br />It is an hour plus drive, followed by maybe 15-20 minutes with the metro and then the hassle of the bus--not being a feeder bus, wait and travel times are unpredictable.<br /><br />Yesterday, as mentioned in the previous post, I discovered that the RTA now has a <i>unified fare structure</i> in place so bus journeys cost the same as metro journeys, as determined by distance and zones. So, bus riders may now face a maximum 5.8 dhs fare as opposed to the formerly flat 2 dhs fare. Just yesterday one colleague commented, "Why take the metro when the bus is only 2 dhs?" Well, besides the long waits and circuitous routes of the buses, one now has to pay the same fare.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq32rTdlg8I/AAAAAAAAGdc/fBcsl4VyUDU/s1600-h/emergencystop2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 15px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq32rTdlg8I/AAAAAAAAGdc/fBcsl4VyUDU/s400/emergencystop2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381228353596785602" /></a><i><font color="#ffffff">Blame for recent train delays have been placed on passenger misuse of emergency mechanisms! >></font></i><br /><br />Granted, there are still only 10 stations and the metro only follows one line through the city, but we're getting there. I'm a metro believer!<br /><br />It's time to conclude this post as I get near my station. It's very comfortable blogging from a nearly empty metro carriage with a good wireless connection. With only 10 or 15 minutes on the train per ride, I have discovered the best payment option is the 1 hr, 10 dhs credit card plan which is good for up to 60 days.<br /><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">P.S. More bus woes...</font></b><hr/><br />On exiting the metro station I once again faced the challenge of getting the bus I needed. The basic issue this time was bus stops not correctly indicating which buses stop there. The huge <i>Trade Center R/A</i> has 3 or 4 bus stops along its circumference. As it turns out the crazy <i>98E bus</i> stops at two of these, but only one is indicated and which one to choose depends on the direction of the bus, which is, of course, not obvious as it is a roundabout. <br /><br />Basically I'm on day 4 of trying to discover which buses I need to connect efficiently with the metro. The fact is, the buses I need are there, the proper routes exist, but after 4 days of consulting bus maps online, checking postings at bus stops, speaking with RTA reps and speaking with bus drivers, other passengers and colleagues, I still haven't got it worked out. <br /> <br />Tune in again tomorrow. Hopefully the 5th day will be the charm!<br /><br /><hr/><br /><table><td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq4Kqb0csoI/AAAAAAAAGds/2uqrWqE-lmY/s1600-h/burjumanmural.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;margin:0 20px 0 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sq4Kqb0csoI/AAAAAAAAGds/2uqrWqE-lmY/s400/burjumanmural.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381250328892846722" /></a></td><td valign=center><i><font color="#ffffff"><< Photographic murals inside Bur Juman station.</font></i><br /><br />The station is like a museum cast in 5-star hotel opulence, while at the same time remaining chic and modern. The images are historic and the blue iridescent lighting profoundly calming.<br /><br />See <a href="http://uv999.blogspot.com/2009/09/bur-juman-station-bus-travails.html">previous post</a>.</td></tr></table><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-7370103351226192942009-09-13T12:06:00.012+04:002009-09-13T21:52:46.832+04:00Bur Juman Station (& Bus Travails)<i>Khalid Bin al Waleed</i> is the correct name of this station, but that's a bit of a mouthful, and I think most people prefer its <i>nom de guerre</i>, Bur Juman. It is one of four underground stations on the new Red line and to my sense it is quite simply grand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SqvhrX5vlAI/AAAAAAAAGa8/_4yECgVOEiw/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman01.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/SqvhrX5vlAI/AAAAAAAAGa8/_4yECgVOEiw/dxbmetro_bjuman01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380642315091022850" /></a><br /><br />The pictures here will attest to that. But I must add that it isn't very large. It consists basically of 3 underground levels. The uppermost is the ticket lobby which stands out with its flourescent blue light panels on the ceiling. Below this is the mid-level which, while little more than an escalator lobby of sorts between the ticket and boarding floors, is festooned with historic photographic murals and grandiose jellyfish chandeliers. The lowest level, with the boarding platforms, has similar murals--all floors do--and all floors are bathed in iridescent blue light. Words cannot adequately describe the grandeur, but pictures can. It is all so rich--I absolutely love it.<br /><br />Before I go on, I must digress, however, with a word of warning on the use of the Nol card with buses.<br /><br /><b><font color="ffff99">Beware of Bus Transfers</font></b><br /><br />Let me start off this little aside by giving away my sentiment about the buses--They SUCK--Royally!! How can I limit this to a few sentences?<br /><br />The buses here have the most convoluted routes and it is nearly impossible to get actionable information so that you can use the buses without having to rely on trial and error. (Maybe the new Feeder buses represent a degree of improvement. My concern and great frustration is with the regular run of buses that many of us are forced to rely on with only 10 metro stations open.) <br /><br />Without going into tedious detail, I would suffice it to say that I am going through a lot of trials and even more errors in trying to figure out how to get from A to B on the sucking buses. <br /><br />The buses, themselves, are actually quite magnificent--big, brawny, cool and comfortable--but the drivers, the human interface, are the weak link (if not the <i>missing link</i>). They are useless as sources of information about their own routes and they seem for the most part quite happy to stop or not stop as they please for pick-ups and drop-offs. They basically ignore whatever their official duties are apart form pressing a gas pedal and steering.<br /><br />Too bad we can't have driverless buses.<br /><br /><b><font color="red">Now, the thing to beware...</font></b><hr/><br />When you swipe your Nol card to get on the bus and to presumably get a free journey after disembarking the metro, there are a couple of issues. <br /><br /><b>One</b> is that when you later swipe the card again to get off the bus, the bus may interpret this not as an ending swipe but a new starting swipe, so you may get double charged.<br /><br /><b>Even worse</b>, if you fail to swipe your card on exit, which I decided to do in order to avoid getting charged double, you instead get charged the maximum travel charge. Now on buses, this is 2 dhs--no big deal, right? But it doesn't work like this. You don't get charged the maximum bus fare, you get charged the maximum metro fare! So it's 5.8 dhs.<br /><br />I did this twice unaware of what was happening, so my Nol card ended up with a negative balance and when I went to top it up, it instead sucked up all the money I had just put in and left me with still a negative balance. The moral of the story? The buses SUCK! And I threw that sucking Nol card away and decided to take a loss and start all over again with a new card.<br /><br />Ok--got that off my chest--now back to the magnificent Bur Juman station. Feast on the images. Viva <i>Khalid Bin al Waleed!!</i><br /><blockquote><font color="#ffff99"><b>This just in from the RTA...</b> <br /><br />Inquiring about these high bus charges, I was told that the buses are now on the same fee structure as the Metro. I don't remember any public announcements of the same, but there you go... a <i>Unified Fare System</i>.<br /><br />That explains a lot. I had wondered why the 5 Zones indicated for Metro charges seemed somewhat irrelevant as the Metro didn't pass through some of the listed zones. Now, those still carrying the former bus cards with credit still on them will still get charged the flat 2 Dhs fare.<br /><br /><b>One more thing...</b> <br /><br />indicating that the RTA are not all bad. I called 3 days ago informing them of a bus shelter with non-functioning a/c. When I visited the shelter today, I found the a/c had been repaired. The many cynical among the public never bother to call to report such faults.<br /><font style="float:right">Thanks RTA</font></font></blockquote><br /><br /><b><font size="3">Khalid Bin al Waleed Station on the Dubai Metro</font></b><hr/><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv5-m1zq_I/AAAAAAAAGbc/gZ_rM74dtsY/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman02.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;margin:0 10px 50px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv5-m1zq_I/AAAAAAAAGbc/gZ_rM74dtsY/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380669033797626866" /></a></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv5-PJZgWI/AAAAAAAAGbU/HMgO5G_XLnc/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman03.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;margin:50px 0 0 10px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv5-PJZgWI/AAAAAAAAGbU/HMgO5G_XLnc/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380669027437347170" /></a></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 align=center>Jellyfish chandeliers at Bur Juman metro station in Dubai.</td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv598FaJFI/AAAAAAAAGbM/Rb0eVZxZStQ/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman04.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:650px;margin:15px 0 15px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv598FaJFI/AAAAAAAAGbM/Rb0eVZxZStQ/dxbmetro_bjuman04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380669022320338002" /></a></td></tr></table><table><tr><td align=center><i><font color="ffff99">(Click on images for enlarged views.)</font></i></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv59qmpP_I/AAAAAAAAGbE/jTbvSngawKY/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman05.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:650px;margin:15px 0 0 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv59qmpP_I/AAAAAAAAGbE/jTbvSngawKY/dxbmetro_bjuman05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380669017627901938" /></a></td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7LdmSnnI/AAAAAAAAGcM/AXksmxYnTOA/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman06.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;margin:50px 10px 15px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7LdmSnnI/AAAAAAAAGcM/AXksmxYnTOA/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380670354166554226" /></a></td><td align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7LCaN2dI/AAAAAAAAGcE/CJYpoGR3iiU/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman07.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;margin:0px 0 65px 10px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7LCaN2dI/AAAAAAAAGcE/CJYpoGR3iiU/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380670346868152786" /></a></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 align=center>Historic photographic images line the walls of the metro station.</td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 align=center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7KpLM7bI/AAAAAAAAGb8/2xdeEG3Pxp0/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman08.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;margin:15px 0 0 0;width:650px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7KpLM7bI/AAAAAAAAGb8/2xdeEG3Pxp0/dxbmetro_bjuman08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380670340094291378" /></a></td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7KagrNtI/AAAAAAAAGb0/-4eoA8Mnmfw/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman09.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px;margin:0px 0 10px 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7KagrNtI/AAAAAAAAGb0/-4eoA8Mnmfw/dxbmetro_bjuman09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380670336157824722" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align=center>Passengers make their way between the boarding platform and ticket levels.</td></tr></table><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7JzSWJzI/AAAAAAAAGbs/lSpXYbAskEg/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; margin:0 0 0 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv7JzSWJzI/AAAAAAAAGbs/lSpXYbAskEg/dxbmetro_bjuman10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380670325628741426" /></a><br /><br /><table><tr><td colspan=2 align=center>Metallic blue reflective panels function to bathe the escalator shaft in blue.</td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv744yIrzI/AAAAAAAAGc0/mwQPs8EXhsU/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;margin:15px 10px 50px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv744yIrzI/AAAAAAAAGc0/mwQPs8EXhsU/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380671134558105394" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv74llPcQI/AAAAAAAAGcs/nNFxVq7TZgg/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman12.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;margin:50px 0 15px 10px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv74llPcQI/AAAAAAAAGcs/nNFxVq7TZgg/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380671129403748610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align=center colspan=2>Blue iridescent lighting floods the ticket lobby.</td></tr><tr><td align=center colspan=2><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv74MNN4CI/AAAAAAAAGck/Ioi3OoIcYAg/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman13.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:600px;margin:10px 0 15px 0;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv74MNN4CI/AAAAAAAAGck/Ioi3OoIcYAg/dxbmetro_bjuman13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380671122592096290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv735FcpfI/AAAAAAAAGcc/tG8eX0VtJlM/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman14.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;margin:0 0 50px 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv735FcpfI/AAAAAAAAGcc/tG8eX0VtJlM/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380671117459236338" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv73hCK78I/AAAAAAAAGcU/dEk-MRK92L8/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman15.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;margin:50px 0 0 0;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv73hCK78I/AAAAAAAAGcU/dEk-MRK92L8/s400/dxbmetro_bjuman15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380671111003041730" /></a></td></tr></table><br /><table><tr><td colspan=2 align=center>The beautiful historic murals feature both in the ticket lobby and on the platforms.<tr><td align=top><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv8vUm2_bI/AAAAAAAAGdE/0m0uEnTrp0w/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman16.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;height: 485px;margin:15px 20px 0 0;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv8vUm2_bI/AAAAAAAAGdE/0m0uEnTrp0w/dxbmetro_bjuman16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380672069739937202" /></a></td><td valign=top><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv8vMlT5GI/AAAAAAAAGc8/hygeWmTE74o/s1600-h/dxbmetro_bjuman17.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px;margin:15px 0 15px 0px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqv8vMlT5GI/AAAAAAAAGc8/hygeWmTE74o/dxbmetro_bjuman17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380672067585959010" /></a><br /><i>Khalid Bin al Waleed</i> station is sort of like a living museum. For a space intended as little more than a transit hub it is impossible not to want to linger. Green line passengers, once it opens in 2010, will be able to soothe their minds feast their eyes as well in this elegant blue zone.</td></tr></table><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Addendum to the Bus Fiasco</font></b><br /><br />I submitted the following message to the RTA,<br /><blockquote>Bus charged me Dhs 5.8 for not swiping out! It's a bus not the metro, so why this maximum charge? It happened twice, registered a negative balance on my Nol card, then when I topped up my Nol card with 10 dhs it immediately ate it up and left me still with a negative balance. I threw the damn Nol card away and bought a new one. Please fix this. Buses should not be charging metro fares whether one swipes when getting off or not!</blockquote>Please, if anyone else encounters such bus fiascoes, complain <a href="http://www.rta.ae/wpsv5/wps/portal/CSCContact?SwitchToLatestLocale=true">direct to the RTA</a>.<br/><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110338975180807678.post-50287322667144056402009-09-11T10:11:00.030+04:002009-09-12T12:13:22.737+04:00Metro by Numbers<font style="float:right; margin:10px 0 0px 25px;"><iframe src="http://www.random.org/widgets/integers/iframe.php?title=Get+Your+Lukcy+Metro+Number&buttontxt=Generate&width=160&height=190&border=on&bgcolor=%23660000&txtcolor=%23ffffff&altbgcolor=%23ffff99&alttxtcolor=%23000000&defaultmin=1&defaultmax=100&fixed=off" frameborder="0" width="160" height="190" scrolling="no" longdesc="http://www.random.org/integers/"></iframe></font><ul><li/><b><font color="red">0</font></b>--(dhs) fare to park in designated parking structures; fare for children under age 5 and less than 90cm in height.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">1</font></b>--free bus ride with same ticket or card after station exit within 30 minute window; no. of grade level stations (Jebel Ali) on Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">1.8</font></b>--(dhs) starting fare for <i>Tier 0</i> Silver & Blue card travel up to 3km.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2</font></b>--(dhs) starting fare for Red ticket holders <i>on Tier 0</i> travel; multiple which Gold card holders must pay above Silver card fares; no. of interchange stations (Kkalid Bin al Waleed & Union) for Red & Green lines; p.m. start time of metro on Fridays.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">2.3</font></b>--(dhs) first tier fare for Silver & Blue card holders for travel within same zone.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2.5</font></b>--(dhs) first tier fare for Red card holders for travel within same zone.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">3</font></b>--dedicated parking structures, at Rashidiya, Nakheel Harbor & Tower and Etisalat (u/c) stations.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">3.75</font></b>--minutes planned between train arrivals at peak times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo_TnssxlI/AAAAAAAAGas/wKgebtHSzzI/s1600-h/dsc_0557.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo_TnssxlI/AAAAAAAAGas/wKgebtHSzzI/dsc_0557.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380182311154009682" /></a><br /><br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">4</font></b>--types of metro <i>Nol</i> card available (Silver, Gold, Blue & Red); no. of underground stations (Khalid Bin al Waleed, Union, Al Rigga, Deira City Center) on Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">4.1</font></b>--(dhs) second tier fare for Silver & Blue card holders for travel to adjacent zone.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">4.5</font></b>--(dhs) second tier fare for Red card holders for travel to adjacent zone.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">5</font></b>--cars on each train; no. of zones in which Dubai is divided; validity period in years of Silver, Gold & Blue cards.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">5.8</font></b>--(dhs) third tier fare and maximum single journey fare for Silver & Blue card holders exceeding two zones in travel.<br /><li><b><font color="#00ECFF">6</font></b>--a.m. start of metro service Saturday-Thursday.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">6.5</font></b>--(dhs) third tier fare and maximum single journey fare for Red card holders exceeding two zones in travel.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">8</font></b>--underground stations on Green line (incl. 2 interchange stations).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">9</font></b>--<a href="http://uv999.blogspot.com/2009/09/whats-in-number.html"><i>see earlier post</i></a>.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">10</font></b>--stations opened on 09-Sep-2009; no. of times Red ticket can be recharged.<br /><br /><hr/><br /><li><b><font color="#00ECFF">11</font></b>--p.m. end of metro service daily, except during Ramadan.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">12</font></b>--elevated stations on Green line; a.m. end of metro service daily during Ramadan.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">14</font></b>--(dhs) maximum daily charge for Silver & Red card holders; amount of credit available on a 20 dhs Nol card.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">15</font></b>--seats in <i>Women & Children's</i> section of the designated carriage.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">18</font></b>--seats in Gold class section of the designated carriage.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">19</font></b>--new foot bridges across SZR as part of Red line stations.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">20</font></b>--(dhs) cost of Silver & Gold card (incl. 14 dhs ride credit); cost for 3 hr wifi service from Du; available credit on 70 dhs Blue card; stations on Green line when completed in mid 2010 (incl. two interchange stations); reported temperature (in Celcius) on board.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">23</font></b>--km length of Green line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">24</font></b>--elevated stations on Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">25</font></b>--trains in total to run on the Green line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">26</font></b>--minutes estimated journey time on Green line end to end.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">27</font></b>--maximum no. of seats in each of the four Silver class carriages.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">29</font></b>--stations on Red line when completed by Feb-2010 (incl. 2 shared w/Green line).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">32</font></b>--km/hr average train speed on Green line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">42</font></b>--km/hr average train speed on Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">47</font></b>--stations in total on Red & Green lines (w/o double counting of interchange stations); km. planned length of the Blue line (<i><a href="http://www.business24-7.ae/InDepth/Pages/DubaiMetro.aspx">Emirates Business 24/7</a></i>).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">49</font></b>--km. planned length of the Purple line (<i><a href="http://www.business24-7.ae/InDepth/Pages/DubaiMetro.aspx">Emirates Business 24/7</a></i>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo_Tzm-ZNI/AAAAAAAAGa0/CttuhMYjlEI/s1600-h/dsc_0536.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo_Tzm-ZNI/AAAAAAAAGa0/CttuhMYjlEI/dsc_0536.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380182314351224018" /></a><br /><br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">50</font></b>--(dhs) subscription fee for a Blue card.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">52.1</font></b>--km length of Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">62</font></b>--trains in total to run on the Red line.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">64</font></b>--minutes estimated journey time on Red line end to end.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">70</font></b>--(dhs) total cost of Blue card.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">78</font></b>--km combined length of Red & Green lines.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">87</font></b>--trains in total to run on both Red & Green lines.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">90</font></b>--km/hr maximum speed of trains; days validity on Red tickets; validity period (in minutes) for tickets/cards used for <i>Tier 0</i> travel.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">100</font></b>--(dhs) fine for eating or drinking on metro (<i><a href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/566431-aed100-fine-for-eating-on-dubai-metro-train">ArabianBusiness.com</a></i>).<br /><br /><br /><hr/><br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">142</font></b>--seats in total on every train.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">180</font></b>--validity period (in minutes) for tickets/cards used for <i>Tier 1-3</i> travel.<br /><li/><b><font color="red">200</font></b>--(dhs) fine for traveling on metro w/o valid ticket (<i><a href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/566431-aed100-fine-for-eating-on-dubai-metro-train">ArabianBusiness.com</a></i>).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">320</font></b>--km of rail network planned by 2020 (<i><a href="http://www.business24-7.ae/InDepth/Pages/DubaiMetro.aspx">Emirates Business 24/7</a></i>).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">500</font></b>--(dhs) maximum value which can be stored on Silver, Gold & Blue Nol cards.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">643</font></b>--passenger capacity (as per design) per train, distributed across the 5 carriages.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">897</font></b>--passenger peak capacity per train.<br /><br /><hr/><br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">1992</font></b>--year project first envisioned.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2005</font></b>--year build contract awarded.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2006</font></b>--year construction begun on Red line, 21 March (<i><a href="http://www.business24-7.ae/InDepth/Pages/DubaiMetro.aspx">Emirates Business 24/7</a></i>).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2009</font></b>--year of Red line opening.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2010</font></b>--year anticipated for completion of Red & Green lines.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2200</font></b>--staff recruited to work for Metro by Red line opening (<i><a href="http://www.arabianbusiness.com/567234-50-things-you-need-to-know-about-dubai-metro?start=2">ArabianBusiness.com</a></i>).<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">2700</font></b>--free parking stalls at Rashidiya station.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">3000</font></b>--free parking stalls at Nakheel Harbour & Tower and Etisalat (u/c) stations; no. of CCTV cameras installed through the system.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">74319</font></b>--passengers estimated to utilize the metro per day.<br /><li/><b><font color="#00ECFF">8009090</font></b>--no. to call for metro & all RTA related information and guidance.</ul><font style="float:right">Sources: <i>My City. My Metro.</i> pamphlet and RTA <a href="http://www.rta.ae/">online</a>.</font><br /><font style="float:right"><font color="red">Red</font> highlights metro costs for regular commuters.</font><br /><br /><center><i><font color="#ffff99">Send me your verified numbers to add to the list.</font></i></center><br /><b><font color="#ffff99">Random Tidbits</font></b><hr/><ul><li/>credit card recharge of Nol cards not yet available.<br /><li/><i>Khalid Bin al Waleed</i> station is commonly referred to as <i>Bur Juman</i> station--for reasons obvious to Dubai residents.<br /><li/><i>Nakheel Harbour & Tower</i> station, referring to a non-existent tower or harbour, may sometimes be referred to as <i>Jumeirah Islands station</i>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo7knQSUJI/AAAAAAAAGak/lem5gGdoCn8/s1600-h/dsc_0509.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WMh-KV-bVEU/Sqo7knQSUJI/AAAAAAAAGak/lem5gGdoCn8/dsc_0509.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380178205046100114" /></a></ul><br/>B.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03604898558343997616noreply@blogger.com0