It’s November! We’ve got only two more months to go before we say goodbye to 2010. I can’t believe it, it’s just too fast. I’ll be adding another year to my age in three weeks.
Speaking of birthdays, it’s Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s 5th birthday today and to celebrate that, the UAE public is treated to free rides on any public transport today! Haven’t had a chance to try the Dubai Metro trains? Now’s the chance – it’s not really expensive with maximum fare of about 6 dhs one way ($1.7).
From Gulf News:
The aim is to lure more people to use public transport and increase the percentage of Dubai residents using public transport from the current 12 per cent to 34 per cent by 2020.
I hope more people go out today to experience the physical and psychological relief of taking public transport. I always leave my car at the free parking area at Rashidiya Station and get on the train to Dubai Mall or Emirates Mall during weekends. It saves me from negotiating through weekend traffic. Now once the Green Line becomes operational next year, I will definitely be taking the train to and from work!
The public transport system in Dubai has drastically changed for the better since 2007 when we first used it but the RTA still needs to address a lot of issues most especially the lack of airconditioned bus shelters around the city in major areas and the appalling non-functional bus shelters during summer when it’s almost impossible to stand outside in the near 50C (120F) heat to wait for the bus even for just 5 minutes.
So anyway, go out and take the public transport today – just don’t forget to bring your Nol* travel card with you.
* Nol travel cards can be purchased at any Dubai Metro Station counters or at Gold Souq or Bur Dubai bus station. More info about the Nol card here.
Finding Backroads 
No public transport in the back woods of New Hampshire! Of course, unless it’s summer, the traffic here is very light. Just watch out for the Moose!
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There is a big push on in Greater Vancouver for people to use public transportation more or bicycles. For the Winter Olympics they put in a subway from the airport to downtown. It is apparently quite a success. They are also putting in bike lanes in various parts of the city. The problem is they take away parking and businesses are complaining about the fact that customers can’t get to them now. The other problem is that in order to increase the number of buses they have to find the money from some where which usually means higher taxes.
.-= Seb from pedometer watches´s last blog ..Pedometer Watches and Pedometers Their Uses and Features =-.
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Yeah, this year has gone too fast.
It’s a cool initiative to lure people to public transportation, but I think the bike idea spotted by Seb is way cooler and much practical.
Anyway, Happy Birthday for you Birthday to be!
.-= Alex@Jocuri´s last blog ..Autostrada mortii =-.
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In in total agreement-I CAN’T believe it’s already November! And I nearly forgot that we share the same birthday month! You’re a couple days after me 🙂
.-= Kayla´s last blog ..Inspirational Tuesday11-2 =-.
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I live in NYC, and not in a million years would public transit be free, not even for just 1 day..
.-= Henway´s last blog ..Dealing with Acne =-.
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keep up the good work on the site. I like it! Superb blog post!
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