Three women in Dubai have become the Middle East’s first female public bus drivers.
The trio started their new jobs last week after being recruited by the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority.
Until now, driving buses in the region was an exclusively male occupation, although women in the UAE already drive taxis.
“I applied for this job because I believe that it will open up opportunities,” one of the women said in a video released by RTA.
Another said: “I chose this career because I think I can contribute to the growth of the RTA as the first lady public bus driver in the Middle East.”
RTA says 165 of its taxi drivers, 41 limousine chauffeurs and one school bus driver are women.
More are expected to be recruited to drive its buses in the near future.
“This initiative goes with the best global practices of employing female drivers,” said Ahmed Bahrozyan, chief executive of RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
“The step creates job opportunities for women in a field dominated by men and promotes the culture of using public transport in the community, thus contributing to the delivery of better services to clients.”
The three women will be responsible for covering three routes in the city. They are:
- Circular Route 77 linking Baniyas, Deira City Centre and Terminals 1 and 3 of Dubai International Airport;
- Route F36 – a metro link service between Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Science Park and Al Barsha South;
- Route F70 – a metro link service in Bur Dubai running between BurJuman mall and Al Fahidi heritage district.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
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Company%20profile
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
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Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
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DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
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The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
