Dubai: Free public transport fare cards will be gifted to children with special needs attending Dubai’s Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre (RPTC), a top official has said.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said they would be presented Nol Blue Cards at zero cost.
Nol smart cards can be used on all transport modes in Dubai and topped up with credit. The Blue category costs Dh70 per card.
His comments came during RTA officials’ visit to RPTC on Wednesday. The visit was meant to explore how the RTA can further serve people with special needs in public transport sector.
Al Tayer was greeted by RPTC Board member Shaikh Ahmad Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum and RPTC founder Ahmad Hashim Khoury.
Al Tayer also revealed that the RTA would sponsor costs towards a semester at RPTC and make special arrangements for parking in front of the Centre.
One student thanked the visiting RTA officials for making it possible for people with special needs “to go everywhere in Dubai”. City transport services are increasingly designed with facilities for people with difficulties.
Al Tayer complimented the work of the RPTC which serves about 300 pupils in rehabilitative, therapeutic and training programmes.
“What I have seen today is not a pride to Dubai only, but to the UAE and its people, because I’ve never seen a charity humanitarian centre like this even in the most developed countries,” Al Tayer said.
“I have noticed sincerity in efforts of the (RPTC) Board members, led by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Board member of the Centre, and Mariam Othman, General Manager of the Centre.”
RTA officials toured classrooms and workshops decorated with student work projects, and socialised with pupils and staff.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Dalmouk honoured Al Tayer with the RPTC Shield Award. Also honoured was the Creative Zone company whose general manager, Dr Zuhair Maimani, presented a donation cheque worth Dh847,225 to RPTC.
