ABU DHABI // School bus drivers appealed to parents yesterday to be patient if they arrive late in the morning to pick up their children during the first days of the new term. They blamed rush hour traffic jams and long queues at petrol stations for any delays.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, the transport supervisor for Abu Dhabi's Rosary School, said drivers faced similar problems at the beginning of each school year as they struggled to judge how long trips would take.
"It takes a few days to estimate the best timing to pick up students," he said. "For example, on the first day of school we try to release the buses by 7.15am, second day we try 7.10am. We don't want the students to arrive too early to school."
Mr Abdul-Rauf said delays were expected at this time of year as parents on the school run added to the rush hour traffic congestion.
Long queues at petrol stations were also a problem this year.
Waleed al Muhairi, the manager of the Abu Dhabi branch of Emirates Transport, questioned the claim, however, saying Adnoc had dedicated six stations for school buses after an agreement between the two companies. Two stations are located in the capital, two in Shahama, one in Mussafah and another in Bani Yas.
He added that he had received no complaints from parents about late-running buses.
Dr Khalid al Ibry, the head of educational affairs in Abu Dhabi educational zone, admitted there had been a few complaints but that many of the problems were down to inaccurate pick-up points given by parents.
Moustafa Noor, a Rosary School bus driver, said drivers usually filled up before they picked up the pupils or after they dropped them off in the afternoon.
Mr Noor said from now on he was going to fill up at the Adnoc station opposite Al-Falah Plaza at 6.15am, an hour before picking up the students to avoid being late.
Another driver, Abdulrazaq Abu Baker, said he was grateful that only school and Al Ghazal Transport buses were allowed to fill up at the petrol station opposite Madinat Zayed on Muroor road, as he had not faced any queues yesterday.
While school buses are not facing any congestion at the Al-Falah Plaza and Madinat Zayed stations, those filling up outside the capital continue to suffer.
"When I went to fill diesel in Bani Yas on the road to Al Ain last week I had to wait for a long time," said Akram Khan, another bus driver. "Today I went to the station in front of Falah Plaza and it was clear."
While many of Rosary School pupils who use school buses said they usually arrived on time, Lena Hashem, a fourth grade student, said her bus was regularly arriving late.
"I miss my first lesson," she said.
Lena's mother Ikram Abdul Kareem was about to check with the school yesterday why her three children had been more than an hour late for classes.
"We've always had a problem with this driver," she said. "He picks up the children early, yet they never arrive to school on time." she said. "He never gave us a reason, nor did the school."
hdajani@thenational.ae
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 400m Olympic running track
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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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
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
HOW TO WATCH
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
