August 17, 2008

Endangering innocent lives
When are people going to realise that by engaging in mindless road games, they are endangering their own lives and the lives of innocent people? The speed limit on most main roads and highways is 120 kilometres per hour. Despite strict road rules, why do some people continue to tailgate, swerve, flash lights and use their horns, at a high speed and especially in fast lanes? What would such behaviour convey to tourists visiting Dubai? It is totally irresponsible.
From Mr David W.
Dubai

Hats off
All prayers seem to have been answered for the family of Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra ("Bindra's good as gold," Gulf News, August 12). Just hours after his family had organised special prayers for their son, Bindra bagged the first individual gold medal for India, in a 10-metre air rifle contest, at the Beijing Olympics. Emotions ran high as teary-eyed people stood up as the Indian national anthem was played in the stadium. Hats off to Abhinav Bindra!
From Mr Nanjil Nadan
Dubai

One-hour gap
This is just a suggestion. Would it help if companies had different work timings, during Ramadan, as this could help avoid traffic jams? People who fast could work from 9am to 3pm, while those who don't could work from 10am to 4pm. A gap of one-hour would make a huge difference in terms of reducing the traffic on roads.
From Mr Imran Sharif
UAE

A nightmare
In the past six months, I have never got a taxi to go to any required destination, despite booking well in advance. Getting a taxi in Dubai is nothing short of a nightmare. Irrespective of whether you have booked for one, you are told the driver has to attend to another customer. A short while ago, I made a call at 6am for a taxi to pick me up at 8am, as I had to drop my daughter off to school. The taxi only arrived at 10am. My daughter had to miss a day at school.
From Ms Meena Carvalho
Dubai

Losing a day
A short while ago, I missed my flight to Singapore because of an incompetent taxi driver and had to book a seat for the next day. I had booked a taxi three hours in advance. Yet, despite repeated calls to the taxi company, the taxi driver did not show up nor called back. Each time I called, I was told that my order had been accepted and that the taxi driver was on his way. I had to report late to work, by a day, because of this incident. Will the taxi company pay me for a day's loss at work?
From Mr Anthony Permal
Singapore

No English Olympics
When I contacted du, the sole provider where I live, to see if they were going to air the Olympics in English for its Showtime premier subscribers, I was told that the English coverage of the Olympics is available for viewing on Jazeera 2. However, the channel is unavailable with my subscription package and the only way to receive it is to pay Dh29 a month to sign up for "family entertainment". I requested to be signed up for just one month, but was told that I had to sign up for a minimum of three. On trying to speak to du about it, I was advised they had a lot of similar complaints and that I should send an email for them to look into the matter.
From Mr Keith Mckay
Dubai

The management at du replies:
In view of Olympics 2008, du is offering a number of Arabic and English TV channels broadcasting the event. Customers of du can choose to view all the Olympics action on channels such as Al Jazeera Sports +3 (English), Al Jazeera Sports 2 (Arabic), Al Jazeera Sports 1 (Arabic), Abu Dhabi Sports (Arabic) and Dubai Sport 1 (Arabic). For a nominal Dh29 per month that is for less than a dirham a day, du TV subscribers can take the 'Family Entertainment package' that includes the Al Jazeera sports channels plus Boomerang, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. Being a du TV customer, Al Jazeera Sports 1, Al Jazeera Sports 2, Abu Dhabi Sports and Dubai Sport 1 channels are already included with the subscription.

No release
I had an outstanding amount on my credit card with Emirates Bank. I spoke to the bank and agreed on a settlement amount, which I paid. However, I did not get any release documents from Emirates Bank, despite receiving an email from them stating that they would release the documents, once my outstanding amount was settled. Instead, I have been told to pay additional amounts. Additionally, the bank has been adding interest to my credit card, every month. From Mr Vishal Shelar
Dubai

Editor's note:
The complaint was forwarded to Emirates Bank for comments. However, despite repeated reminders, its management failed to respond.

Bored
My children love Funday - Gulf News's weekly supplement. However, recently they have been complaining that the articles are monotonous and that they feel bored doing the same stuff again and again. I believe more space should be assigned, as this is a pull-out exclusively for children.
In this manner, children would find it in them to express their creativity and talent and make every issue interesting.
From Ms Sumitha Jerald
UAE

A growing nuisance
Nowadays, finding a taxi in Sharjah has become a difficult task. Taxi drivers refuse to take passengers to certain places, especially Al Wahda Street, King Faisal Street and Al Nahda during the evening rush hour. They cite reasons such as high targets set by their companies, or that they could be terminated, and often state that driving in congested areas does not help. Some even go to the extent of being very rude and misbehaving with passengers. When they are told that a complaint will be filed against them, they demonstrate an “I don't care'' attitude and simply drive off. Such behaviour from taxi drivers can create a negative impression about the public transportation system, which can in turn hamper economic growth, mainly with respect to the tourism industry. The situation can turn grave when a passenger, who might be having serious health problems, requires immediate medical attention. Therefore, I humbly request the concerned authorities in Sharjah to take strict measures, especially after considering taxi drivers' grievances, so that both they and their passengers do not have to suffer much.
From Mr Rehaan Aslam
Sharjah

A job well done
I would like to congratulate Gulf News on the successful completion of 30 years. For 20 years I was an avid reader of Gulf News, especially when I lived in Dubai. Even today, I regularly visit www.gulfnews.com for news. The quality of language and news are excellent and unbeatable. Keep it up and I wish Gulf News all the best for the years ahead.
From Mr J. Anantharaman
India

A good giveaway
I think there should be regular blood donation campaigns with qualified health representatives to create better awareness about the benefits of donating blood, for both the donor and the community ("Blood donation drive attracts over 500 donors", Gulf News, June 18). Donating blood should also be made easy for the donor. Maybe the blood donation facilities can make arrangements with companies whereby they are able to visit various organisations and the staff members can donate blood. This could be done every few months. A reward such as blood donation points that can be utilised as an incentive would also attract many more people. From Mr Jaiboy
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request

Another burden
I do not think Salik has helped reduce traffic congestions. If anything, it only adds to the increasing costs of rent, water, electricity and food. I do not understand why the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is giving people this additional burden.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Long wait
A few years ago, taxi drivers were hesitant to take passengers to Dubai from Al Wahda in Sharjah. Now that the bridge and interchanges are open to ease traffic between the two cities, taxi drivers are still hesitant about taking passengers. It is irritating how people have to go to the central taxi station in Sharjah just to wait for an hour to go to Dubai every day. A commuter has to dedicate around two hours just to pass the 10-kilometre stretch between Sharjah and Dubai.
From Mr Pardeep Kumar
Sharjah

Only increasing
Public transportation is the best solution to the increasing traffic problems in the UAE ("Welcome to Sharjah-Dubai traffic battleground", Gulf News, June 23). Privately owned cars are unavoidable in the country since the population is expanding phenomenally. Gulf News has exhibited pictures of tailbacks at various points. The number of cars sold has increased by around 100 per cent and it is going to increase. Something has to be done soon to avoid future problems.
From Mr Mohammad Shamsheer
Dubai

Not enough taxis
Much has been said and written about the problem of availing taxis in the UAE. As an Abu Dhabi resident, I see passengers waiting anxiously on the sidewalk during busy hours every single day. The present quality of taxis is fine but the number of taxis on the roads is not sufficient and does not meet our demands. I am sure the authorities would have taken note of this and may be planning to put up mass transportation systems, such as public buses on specific routes. This would give greater freedom for the public to commute effortlessly within the cities.
From Mr S. Subramanian
Abu Dhabi

A better future
For the talented workforce to enter and remain in the UAE, I think certain measures need to be implemented. Firstly, dual contracts — one for the employer and one for the employee — should be discontinued. A cost of living index linked to salaries should be updated quarterly. A minimum increment of 10 per cent of the current salary should be given and the employer should provide suitable accommodation for workers.
From Mr K. Vijayakumar
Dubai

Too dangerous
Recently, Gulf News had a report on pedestrian crossings in Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi with photographs of screws projecting from the ground. Since then, Abu Dhabi's authorities have put in a lot of effort to plant more turf around the crossing, yet nothing has been done to reduce the hazard on the road itself. The same goes for downtown Abu Dhabi, as many pedestrian crossings and streets are damaged and pose a danger to people.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name held by request

An easier life
I love the new Abu Dhabi bus service ("Abu Dhabi bus service is route to beating traffic woes", Gulf News, June 26). Travelling in the UAE is a big problem and the bus service helps provide a good solution. Travelling by taxi is becoming too expensive and time consuming, so taking the bus is a much better option for me.
From Mr Jaafar Sathick
UAE