Without any traffic
Let us celebrate the month of October as a "month free of traffic". This can be achieved if people opt to use public transport or car-pooling, instead of one person per car.
I am all for the initiative. Any takers?
From Mr Mohammad Javed
Dubai
No reservations
This is in response to Ms Rebecca Matthews's letter wherein she suggests that bus drivers ask male passengers to vacate seats for females ("Females only", Gulf News, September 9).
If men are not allowed to sit on women's "reserved" seats, even if empty, why should the same courtesy be extended to women?
Can you imagine what it would feel like to be told to get up from your seat after a long day at work? Even seats for women should not be reserved; passengers should get priority on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A few days ago I saw women not only occupy their reserved seats, but also three rows or 12 seats meant for men. If there has to be reservation, it should only be for the elderly.
From Mr Sameed Shafi
Dubai
Bitter experience
Recently, I had a bitter experience in Dubai when waiting for a taxi. As there was a long queue for the bus, I opted for a taxi, but had to wait for more than an hour to hail one to go to Sharjah. I was surprised to find that even though three taxis passed by, none were willing to take me. I requested a driver to at least drop me off to a certain point, but he did not listen. Despite continuous warnings from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), none of the drivers seem to be bothered. I urge the authorities to look into the matter.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Ajman
Choice to reject
Why do I, as the user of an Al Wasl prepaid card, have to pay for incoming text messages? I enquired regarding the same with etisalat's customer support call centre, and was told that any incoming text message from India costs Dh3.50. Additionally, users should be given the right to reject promotional text messages they keep receiving from various companies. Otherwise, I may be charged for the text message I am receiving against my will.
From Mr Mohammad Suhaib
Abu Dhabi
Editor's note: The complaint was forwarded to etisalat for a comment. However, despite repeated reminders, the management failed to respond.
Mutual cooperation
With regards to the bus fee hike, parents of pupils can come together and form an association, to own and maintain buses and transport children ("College students stranded after big hike in bus fees", Gulf News, September 9). This will be cost effective and more useful for other recreational purposes, too. Parents can very easily meet monthly installments, fuel and driver's salary, as this would be much cheaper than what is being currently paid.
Thus, many things can be brought under control by mutual cooperation if parents take steps to help themselves.
From Mr Nanjundanathan M.
Dubai
Act like adults
Where I reside in the United States, most colleges do not have any bus or other transportation offered for free, or for a fee to students. At college level, you are considered an adult and expected to arrange for your own transportation to college and back, on a daily basis.
Only elementary, middle school and high schools give free bus transportation for their pupils. This is discontinued after high school.
From Ms P. Schulze
Florida, USA
Come back
I am a regular commuter from Al Nahda, in Sharjah, to Dubai. The Sharjah police had been doing a commendable job in controlling the traffic. However, since the commencement of Ramadan, they are not seen that often during morning hours. This results in many drivers driving on the hard shoulder, causing a tailback for those abiding by traffic rules.
From Mr Abdul Hafis
Dubai
Laid bare
The Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) complete lack of understanding of consumer and road user psyche was laid bare on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Beach Roads, as all cars were bumper to bumper, due to Salik dodgers avoiding the Al Safa Park tollgate, recently ("Taking a bigger toll on drivers", Gulf News, September 9). Blocking up residential areas with main arterial traffic isn't a solution.
It is a hazard to those who live in the area, with muscle toting SUVs cutting across residential back streets, endangering children and causing great discomfort.
From Mr Tom Roychoudhury
Dubai
Permanent solution
The lack of respect for road rules applies to trucks as well as pick-ups, buses and minivans. These overtake each other and other vehicles, speeding past on fast lanes, thereby blocking smooth traffic flow and creating hazards for other road users. Less than two months after the worst mini-van accident, they have gone back to dangerous old habits by speeding and tailgating.
We need the police and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to find a permanent solution.
From Mr Alex Lee
Dubai
Planning ahead
Dubai continues to march forward with the scheduled completion of the new Jebel Ali Waste Water plant in 2009. Now is the time to make sure that the road network and infrastructure can handle the influx of trucks that will be lined up to empty their loads.
What we don't need is a major impact on existing residential, and business traffic. I trust there is a plan.
From Mr Rick Advano
Dubai
Out of control
There are some tragedies in life that one cannot escape, but then again, some situations could certainly be avoided ("Accidents in last 6 months claim lives of 147 people", Gulf News, July 21). Unfortunately, the people on the roads in Dubai are bent upon causing tragedies, not only for themselves, but also for unsuspecting pedestrians and motorists. No matter how many accidents occur, some people continue to be reckless. The situation is actually getting worse by the day, and is making it difficult for motorists to drive safely. I think we need to invoke our conscience and consider why we behave in this manner. Why don’t we understand that the life we are enjoying is a gift and we should make the best of it, instead of inviting destruction and misery? I would suggest life imprisonment for death due to rash driving. I am sure a lot of readers will agree. I request the concerned authorities to look into this matter before it becomes out of control.
From Mr Ganesh Devrajan
Dubai
Green bags
At first glance, paper bags seem to be the ideal solution — they are made from a renewable resource, and are both biodegradable and recyclable ("Are 'green' bags truly green?", Gulf News, July 20). However, in reality, paper bags take up much more energy to produce and transport than plastic bags. Additionally, manufacturing paper puts causes a considerable amount of air pollution and consumes a lot of water. In addition, they are not as durable as plastic in wet weather.
From Mr Nanjil
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Collapsed nation
Former president Pervez Musharraf bowed out to keep sanity in national interests, given the historical relevance of the two parties that ruled from 1988 to 1999 ("Opposition backs Zardari for president", Gulf News, August 21). Massive corruption, the dismissal of the army chief, and attacks on the Supreme Court added to the chaos. Inflated egos, greed and the weak morality of politicians have contributed to the collapse in national status, which is now in a state perilously close to bankruptcy. What a legacy to repeat. The rumblings of the present make one shudder at the future of not only the people, but Pakistan as well. Musharraf must have concluded that the politics of vendetta has overtaken sanity, and opted out. He is our hero.
From Mr S. Eftikhar Ali
UAE
Don't forget
Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf may not have been the best choice for a leader ("Opposition backs Zardari for president", Gulf News, August 21). Many of his actions were criticised, but nowadays, who is free from corruption? Unlike many of his precedents, Musharraf was not a corrupt politician. We will wait and see what the current government has preserved for its people. Even though he has made many mistakes, people should not forget that he at least restored the image of the country abroad.
From Ms Shemi Kanayamkandi
Dubai
Farewell
The political condition in Pakistan has raised many questions in the minds of people around the world ("Opposition backs Zardari for president", Gulf News, August 21). Former president Pervez Musharraf, who was once a hero, is now being labelled a dictator. I want to know why every hero gets a farewell that wipes away all of his or her good deeds. I am sure, if not now, then within a few years, his name will be written in golden words, as individuals can forget their heroes, but not what they did for their nation.
From Ms Sumera Asif Kiani
Sharjah
Truly worried
I am neither in favour of military rule or ex-army chiefs as president, nor in defending the brutal actions and atrocities of self-centred generals during their last few years in power ("Opposition backs Zardari for president", Gulf News, August 21). However, I am afraid that the renovation of personal palaces and the development of state of the art roads and highways may start again. For Pakistan, it is obviously not a matter of a few billion dollars, although this amount could have been more than enough for millions of poor people residing in the country. Unfortunately, the perception and image of the country matters more, and this will affect the future of generations to come.
From Mr Zahid
Denmark
Full name withheld by request
A resolution
The United Nations Security Council has recently classified rape as a war tactic and a threat to international security. This is indeed a landmark resolution, which will benefit women in all war-torn countries. Rape is the most undignified, rotten, shameful, depraved conduct any man is capable of.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
Excuse the elderly
I would like to comment on the new visa rule, which has come in to effect recently ("Dubai official clears confusion over visa runs to Kish and Oman", Gulf News, August 20). I agree that the new visa rules will provide internal security for the country. Visitors will only come if necessary, and not prolong their stay. However, I suggest that this rule not be implemented for the elderly. When residents’ parents visit, they are usually very old and cannot leave the country in order to renew their visa. They generally visit to meet their families or for medical needs. However, when it comes to new rules, they would be forced to leave the country and re-enter, which is not practical. Additionally, it becomes difficult for the elderly as they have to visit a new place, where people do not speak the same language as them, and where residents follow a different culture. They must also be willing to spend on airfare, which is invariably high. I request the authorities to look into this matter and make a special rule for the elderly, either giving them a six-month visa or allowing them to renew it for a month or two without having to exit the country.
From Mr Prasanna Narayan
Sharjah
