Frequency of the Metro
I am a regular user of the Dubai Metro and the feeder services (‘Hop on as Dubai celebrates Public Transport Day,’ Gulf News, October 31). I feel it is much better than using a private car. However, the Dubai Metro authorities should increase the frequency of the trains as more and more people are beginning to use the service. Nowadays, the trains are very crowded during the rush hours. I also want to suggest that the gold class cabin needs to be expanded, as many commuters prefer using them.
From Mr Syed J. Huq
Dubai
RTA’s initiative
It’s a great and an innovative step taken by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) encouraging residents to use public transport. However, on behalf of the commuters I would suggest that the contest should also run beyond the working hours. As the contest was organised during a week day, many working individuals who use the public transport were unable to participate. I think these people use the Metro and the buses the most, Hence, they should be able to participate and get the benefits of such events.
From Mr Nakshab Seddiqi
Dubai
Website comment
Fire safety precautions
There was a lack of safety precautions (‘Worker relives Al Quoz cylinder blast horror,’ Gulf News, October 31). I think that cooking should not be permitted in all areas of the labour accommodation. Authorities should take serious measures and allow cooking only where there are fire extinguishers and immediate first aid available. Strict safety guidelines should be inculcated among the workers and the people in charge of the camp. There should be random inspection of these labour camps for their safety and the fire safety equipment should be checked regularly.
From Mr K P Gopalan
Bengaluru, India
Website comment
Discounted tickets
On behalf of the countless retired expatriates living in the UAE, I have a humble request for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and other concerned authorities - most of the expatriates have spent more than half of lives in the UAE, raising their family, spending on children’s education, paying rent, buying cars and the like, thus contributing to the economy. Due to age restriction and other factors, this community is now unable to work any longer and thus have to be dependent on their children. I would suggest that this community be given a discount on RTA tickets and passes. And as they do not go to work like others, their travels may be restricted to off-rush hours.
From Mr Tony D’Souza
UAE
Hunger findings
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) recently reported that one in eight people worldwide suffers from chronic hunger. The report once again reminds us that the number of people going to sleep with an empty stomach is on the raise in the past few years. There could be several reasons for this alarming trend, such as scarcity of resources and adverse weather conditions. However, the effectiveness of remedial action on the part of responsible countries and other world bodies in feeding the needy people is a cause for worry. It is unfortunate that the past few years was entirely focused on wars and conflicts, and subsequently invested in boosting defence capabilities by responsible countries and ignored the priorities of humanitarian aspects. The economic slowdown had a damaging impact on the wealth of the Americas and some of the European countries, that resulted in reducing their attention towards poor countries, mostly on the African continent. In the Middle East, guns have not gone to silent for decades. It is surprising that FAO findings have no reference to conflicts and other adverse reasons for this alarming situation, that I feel, is expected to grow in the coming years.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Hope
I really appreciate the author, Mr. Habtoor’s love for Lebanon (‘Lebanon will sink without a competent captain,’ Gulf News, October 31). I admire his article and his passion to protect Lebanon. Amid all the pros and cons of the recent tragic security events, the Arab uprising and the Eurozone crisis, no sovereign country in the East or the West can afford to survive what has happened in Lebanon. It started in 1975 when Lebanon was subjected to a catastrophic civil war. Beirut is the only Arab capital that was occupied by Israeli army in 1982. Heads of state and some top national politicians were assassinated. The Lebanese government was paralysed and divided between rival sanctions, then the Syrian occupation for decades, the Israeli war in 2006 and the never ending strikes recently. Yet the real estate market was steady and on an uptrend. In a country, where political rivals disagree over the country’s past, present and future, what worst could happen? The Lebanese will survive for sure and the economy of this country will enjoy upward trend very soon. Let’s all have faith.
From Mr Abdullah Hayek
Beirut, Lebanon
Website comment
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