Live updates: World Governments Summit in Dubai
Technical studies on Dubai’s Railbus project will be completed in two years and the new network will complement existing transport infrastructure, such as the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, The National can reveal.
Construction costs will be far less expensive than those of the Dubai Metro, with Railbus expected to be "20 per cent to 30 per cent cheaper than comparable systems globally", Abdul Muhsen Ibrahim Kalbat, chief executive of the Roads and Transport Authority, told The National on Tuesday.
“Sustainable transportation is part of the national strategy to achieve zero emissions by 2050,” he added. “This type of system will complement our mass transit system, such as Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, and will integrate with existing public transport users from the areas adjacent to Metro stations."
Mr Kalbat said a tiered system will be used for ticketing, with the network split into zones making it cost-effective for the customer.
“According to the research and development that the company is doing right now in co-ordination and collaboration with the RTA, we expect to get results of all studies and research within two years," he added. "Then we will be studying the feasibility of implementing this type of system within Dubai to explore the best routes and the best areas to start testing this type of system.”
Although no launch date has been announced, Mattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA, said the next steps after the two years of technical studies “will involve identifying the optimal locations for pilot operations to assess its operational efficiency and integration with Dubai’s wider transport network”.
What do we know about Railbus?
The RTA said the capsule-like vehicles, 11.5 metres in length and 2.65m wide, have a top speed of 100kph and each can hold 40 passengers.
The vehicles will rely on solar power, with all tracks set to be covered by panels. The design, which has been optimised for urban landscapes, will be 3D-printed and the vehicles will be made from recyclable material.
“All of the related infrastructure will be developed more economically when compared to other similar systems,” Mr Kalbat said. “It will run on rails and have the flexibility of a bus, as it will be able to manoeuvre within residential areas to serve the first and last-mile transport demands in Dubai.”
On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in reviewing the Railbus prototype with Mr Al Tayer, while visiting the RTA stand at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
A transforming city
It is the latest in a series of recent announcements to help ease the pressure on Dubai’s road network, with plans released last June setting out to double the number of Metro and tram stations by 2040.
Dubai has 55 Metro stations – 35 on the red line and 20 on the green line – as well as 11 tram stops. This number is to be increased to 96 stations spanning 140km by 2030, according to Dubai Media Office.
Set to transform the north-east of the city, an Dh18 billion ($4.9 billion) project is under way to add a blue line to the Metro system, which will feature 14 stations and add 30km to the network, more than half of it underground.
Under plans laid out by Sheikh Hamdan, several car-free zones are to be established across the city.
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Juliet, Naked
Dir: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke
Two stars
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Emblem Storm, Oisin Murphy (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
WIDE%20VIEW
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Indika
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
India cancels school-leaving examinations
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
