DUBAI // Taking advantage of the opening of three new Metro stations, many more commuters looking to escape the daily traffic grind left their cars at home yesterday.
It was the first big test for three of the seven stations that opened on Friday. The Ibn Battuta, Marina and Dubai Internet City stops are notable for their proximity to homes and offices, and yesterday, the first day of the work week, found them alive with commuters who were breaking their habit of driving to work.
"I'm looking forward to it. It takes the same amount of time to get to the Burjuman on the Metro as it does driving," said Masould Kourzer, 34, an Iranian textile merchant who left his car at his apartment in Jumeirah Lake Towers.
"I live right next to the [Marina] station and I already tested it yesterday to see how long it took me to get to work."
With his brown leather briefcase in one hand and a newspaper in the other, he said he planned to relax during his journey.
"There is no traffic or stress when you take the Metro," he said. "I can't do this when I drive. I am going to relax before I take the day on."
Some chose the option of doing a little work before their workday began.
Maria Yarovya, who works as a sales consultant at the Dubai International Financial Centre, arrived at the Marina station carrying a personal computer. She left her Mitsubishi 4x4 at home in favour of taking the metro to the Financial Centre stop.
"I have my laptop with me so I could catch up on some work if I have to," she said. "It is easier for me to take the Metro. There are no issues with parking and it is generally easier to get to the office. It usually takes about half an hour when driving and this should be the same."
Parking was an issue in places. One building in Jumeirah Lake Towers initiated a security-sticker system to deter motorists from using its car park as a park-and-ride facility.
Alighting and disembarking at the same stations as Ms Yarovya, and carrying the same equipment, was Mukand Bhatnayar, who also left his 4x4 behind. He said he had time to experiment with the Metro.
"It takes about five minutes to get to the station," he said. "I am checking it out today to see if it will work for me. I want to see how much time it takes to get to the office."
Mr Bhatnayar added, "From door to door it is about 25 to 30 minutes driving. If there is no major difference in the time, I'll the use the Metro more often." The system's ease of use has convinced some to give up even thinking about road-going transportation.
Tigran Murdagal, an auditor for Deloitte & Touche, said he has never needed to buy a car in Dubai.
"The Metro gets me to where I want to go most of the time," he said on his way to the Financial Centre station. "If my parents are here on holidays or if I want to go to Fujairah for a weekend, I'll rent a car. Other than that, I don't need one. "I could get a car but I enjoy the Metro."
Some wanted to see whether the system was consistent. Christine Brennan, a lawyer from Ireland who works in the Emirates Towers, opted for the Metro instead of taking a taxi. The stations most convenient to her, Marina and Emirates Towers, were two of the seven to open on Friday.
"I'll see how it goes," she said. "If it is quick and reliable, I'll use it."
Reliability was an issue on Saturday afternoon, when a large stretch of the Red Line shut down for several hours. Service was halted after a train stopped at Nakheel Harbour Tower, the Roads and Transport Authority said. A bus service was arranged for passengers before the resumption of normal service that evening.
The other three stations to open on Friday were Emirates, Airport Terminal One and Al Karama.
eharnan@thenational.ae
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
SPECS
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Company%20profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The%20National%20selections
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Company%20Profile
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Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
