UAE | Traffic and Transport
Truck drivers lose sleep over new timings in Sharjah
Truck drivers are finding it very difficult to make their deliveries because of the new truck timings which is forcing them to work into the night.
- By Mariam M. Al SerkalStaff Reporter
- Published: 23:35 December 4, 2008
- Rush hour on Emirates Road. Trucks have been banned from using all the roads in Sharjah from 5.30am to 9.30am, 1pm to 3pm and from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, forcing transport companies to pay drivers more to work late into the night.
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
Sharjah: Truck drivers are finding it very difficult to make their deliveries because of the new truck timings which is forcing them to work into the night.
"Truck drivers are being paid double or triple their salaries because they have to work overtime. Because of the new timings, drivers cannot make a trip from Sharjah to Dubai within 24 hours anymore," said Sibichan Thomas, a businessman.
As of November 29, heavy vehicles have been banned from using all the roads in Sharjah from 5.30am to 9.30am, 1pm to 3pm and from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
Heavy vehicles are unable to use the roads now for 10 hours a day, which ultimately affects the number of hours put in by drivers. Some drivers end up taking a break from their journey time by preparing tea on the side roads because that is only one of the few options they have.
"The drivers start their journey at night and have to sleep in the vehicle next to their destination point because that is the only way that they can deliver the goods on time in the morning," said Sibichan.
Contracts have been compromised as a result of these new timings. Managers of transport companies pointed out that business has been heavily affected, as the wages of drivers are already escalating due to their scarcity.
Transport companies have said there is a great need to alter the timings and possibly allow trucks in the inner-city roads during the day.
"It is now easier to make construction deliveries to Ras Al Khaimah instead of Jebel Ali because the truck timings are a lot more lenient there," said Viju Thomas, Transport Division at a Sharjah-based transport company.
"The timings have to be reduced because it is impossible to do business as before and the transport industry is definitely getting affected by this," he added.
Residents, however, had a different perspective on the new truck timings and applauded the changes.
"It was about time that something has been done to take the trucks off the road because they are the main reason why there was so much heavy traffic on Emirates Road," said Saeed Ibrahimi.
"It is difficult to drive with so many trucks around and hard to keep a safe distance from them while driving.
"I think that the city will now be a safer place to drive in because school buses and people going to work will not be surrounded by the heavy vehicles, which usually carry steel rods and other items used for construction," said T. Mathew.
Is your business being affected by the truck ban? Have you noticed a difference in traffic congestion ever since the ban was implemented?
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