New Nol card deals with violators
I accept this decision by the Roads and Transport Authority simply because with the previous rule, commuters took advantage of that loophole and would travel with less or no balance on their Nol card and dispose it once they reached their destination (‘RTA hikes minimum Nol card balance,’ Gulf News, August 22). This results in loss. The RTA doesn’t need this hassle, they are doing a good job as it is, and we should respect their rules and abide by them. I’m happy that they have blocked or have not allowED a commuter to travel if their Nol balance is less than required.
This will surely put a stop to those violating the fees. I think it’s true that most of us won’t be too happy, but then this is the price we have to pay for the rest who attempt to travel for free.
From Mr Mal
Dubai
Website comment
Can’t change decision
When one buys the Nol card, a fee of Dh6 is taken,and I presumed that amount covers any extra cost if the passenger boarded with the minimum balance.
Now I feel like the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is holding this amount of Dh6, and the RTA wants to keep another Dh6, as Dh5.8 is nothing less than 6 in my opinion. Well, the members of the public may put forth their grievances, but I don’t think it will make the RTA reverse the decision.
From Mr Mahesh Devji
Sharjah
Website comment
A commuter’s perspective
The decision will be very inconvenient to all the commuters who travel regularly. I think there should not be any kind of minimum balance system from RTA. We should have the ability to even accept negative amounts of a maximum of Dh2, which can be recovered from the next recharge.
This will help a commuter to at least travel to the place they required to go without having much balance and also while rushing for the office in the morning. I think the RTA needs to think from the perspective of the commuter.
From Mr Abdullah Mansour Das
Dubai
Website comment
Inconvenient in urgencies
This news is not new for commuters. It came into effect on the first day of this month, August. Anyways, I think this fare limit is not reasonable because it can become difficult when you need to travel urgently.
From Mr Mohammad Shameer
Dubai
Facebook comment
Rush hour tolerance
I know some commuters get quite upset when men enter the women’s only cabin. I think we should all just try to respect one another.
The Metro gets crowded most of the time during rush hour and there are too many people getting into one cabin. Commuters need to at least be given foot space to stand. When there is no space at all in the men’s section, let them stand in the women’s section.
The main thing is that most of the people that are on the Metro have been working hard, and they are stressed out from their day. So nobody is going to think about behaving badly with the women.
From Mr Chethan Sharma
Dubai
Facebook comment
Recharging Nol cards
I think this is fine. Even if they implement rules of having a balance of Dh10, that is not an issue. The issue here is that the RTA should be having more stations to recharge their Nol cards, especially at the bus stops where commuter traffic is heavy. I think RTA should at least provide more machines then implement this rule.
From Ms Anyang Aniel
UAE
Facebook comment
Frustrating
I think it doesn’t make any sense to increase minimum fares. I was stuck when I punched my card in a trip showing the value was low even though I had Dh6 balance, and I only had to travel for Dh1.80. The RTA should consider taking away the minimum balance rule.
From Mr Ajit Kumar
UAE
Facebook comment
Avoid fining commuters
I welcome this decision because there are many people who continuously maintain a low balance. Instead of paying the correct tariff, these people are getting fines of Dh200. I think this is good for all, so that these people can avoid such fines.
From Mr A. Rahumath Ulla
Dubai
Facebook comment
Need justice for all
I find this news disheartening. It seems that only if you’re rich enough, can you get proper justice (‘Kuwait’s Al Khorafi family wins Swiss bank case in Dubai,’ Gulf News, August 22). I guess the rest of us will just have to be content with being robbed blind by property developers and investment firms with questionable motives.
From Mr Stuart Bonner
Dubai
Facebook comment
Careful with downloads
The catch here is that an attacker would need to get their hands on the device to use the backup system either by borrowing or stealing the phone (‘Millions of Android smartphones ‘at risk’ of hacking in Middle East,’ Gulf News, August 22). So, the following tips work for any platform, be it android, iPhone, Windows or Blackberry. The advice I would give is to not hand over your device to strangers; don’t install applications that you are not absolutely sure of. Don’t get drawn in by seemingly harmless applications like games and wallpapers.
From Mr Neo
Dubai
Website comment
Hidden settings
I think there is a hidden agenda on this report because USB debugging is off by default. This setting is under ‘Developer’s Option,’ which is hidden. I would say that the majority of Android device users do not know how to turn this setting on.
From Mr Luke A.
Dubai
Website comment
Ask first
When we opened the doors to the 21st century, the flood of technological advancements rushed into our world (‘Facebook debate: Respecting privacy on social networks,’ Gulf News, August 24). We have seen lots of development in technology, which were initially conceived and introduced for the betterment of mankind. But now we are experiencing lots of problems as well.
FB is one of them. No doubt, it came into our world as a friend but eventually FB spread like a virus in the world.
No matter if you are three or 80 years old, you will find people sitting and using their laptops or smartphones.
If I am spending my weekend with my family on a beach, anyone passing through can take a picture, upload and share it with the public. I find this totally unethical, illegal and ridiculous.
I would request to those who use FB not to misuse this facility and do not share anything for just sharing purposes without knowing the consequences. Get a confirmation first before sharing anything so that you will not be part of the masses that upload illegal, unethical and false information every day.
From Mr Asad Ekbal
Dubai
A new storage method
The judgment passed by the Italian court sheds light on different aspects on the use of social media and the changing family relationship. In the Gulf News article, ‘Court orders wife to remove honeymoon photos from Facebook,’ the wife’s lawyer’s argument is that FB is a ‘private album.’
This is also true to a great extent. When the technology changed, people used different methods to keep their memories. People should have the right to keep the photos they like on FB.
On the other hand, in the civilised world, people have the right to take action against books, newspapers, magazines or websites that make derogatory remarks, defame, or violate privacy. The husband’s lawyer remark that “it is an unprecedented decision, which provides a point of reference for Facebook users” is not correct. It is not an unprecedented decision.
However, if they are a couple in love, the wife should not do anything to hurt the feelings of her husband.
From Mr Keerthi Illnagaratna
UAE
Immediately public
Sadly, I think it is just the reality that whatever is publicly shared over social media loses its privacy.
From Ms Erly Senjaya
Ras Al Khaimah
Facebook comment
A role model
Despite so many challenges, this man has never given up on his dreams and managed to achieve everything he put his mind to (‘Blind official targets a life of achievement,’ Gulf News, August 21). He is the role model for people who feel that they are weak because of their disabilities. May God give you more and more success. Hats off to you.
From Mr Mohammad Omar
Dubai
Website comment
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