
Travelling between Dubai and Sharjah? RTA announces new bus route
The authority has rolled out E308 connecting Stadium Bus Station in Dubai to Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah.
The service runs daily from 5am to 11.30pm, with a frequency of every 30 minutes. The fare for a one-way trip is Dh12.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Smart Nol card top-ups see 20% rise as less commuters rely on ticket machines
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a 20 per cent increase in nol card top-up transactions through digital channels during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. This reflects ongoing efforts to advance digital transformation in public transport services and enhance customer satisfaction. The authority explained that the improvements included the provision of digital machines for ticket sales and top-ups, public awareness initiatives encouraging the use of digital channels such as the website and mobile payment applications, in addition to raising the minimum top-up amount for nol cards through machines and ticket sales offices. Statistics showed a 28 per cent decrease in the total number of top-up transactions via ticket vending machines, while digital transactions via these machines increased by 20 per cent. Meanwhile, cash transactions at ticket sales offices declined by 37 per cent, and digital transactions by six per cent, resulting in an overall 26 per cent drop in transactions at ticket offices. The RTA affirmed that this shift contributed to shorter queues and lower operating costs related to cash handling, along with an 80 per cent decrease in vending machine malfunctions due to fewer cash-based transactions.


Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Waited for hours': Some Filipino workers frustrated after thousands throng Dubai event
What was meant to be a streamlined public service event for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE turned into a source of frustration for many attendees, after the OFW Serbisyo Caravan held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday, August 3, drew unexpected crowds and criticism for "poor organisation". Organised by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the event was scheduled to run from 8am to 6pm, aiming to bring together key government agencies under one roof to assist Filipinos with various services, such as legal aid, financial support, and welfare counselling. But the experience for many turned out to be far from smooth. Several OFWs described the event as 'disorganised and overwhelming', citing long queues, a lack of direction, and overcrowded conditions. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted his experience to Khaleej Times. 'My friend and I arrived at the venue at 8.30am, thinking we were early enough to beat the crowds, but the line was already snaking around the building,' the 28-year-old shared. 'There was no one guiding us, no signs, no system. We just followed the crowd and hoped we were going the right way.' The Ajman resident said he ended up walking aimlessly through the hot halls with no clear directions. 'I ended up in a room packed with people. It was hot and overcrowded,' he said. 'At one point, we were just standing in line in the hallway for three hours outside the hall." He and his companion finally completed their transactions by 7pm, nearly 11 hours after they arrived. 'We were thankful to be assisted eventually, and there were some seats and a food vendor inside.' Some attendees also pointed out that all the services — ranging from registering for Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to contract verification — were clustered into one space, which led to further confusion. 'There were no clear signs and no separation of services. People didn't know where to go or which line to join,' Dubai-based expat Maria T. said. H.T., another OFW, noted that although she scanned a QR code to receive a digital queue number, there was "no system in place" to enforce the order. "People continued lining up wherever they wanted. When I finally got into the hall, it was more chaos inside." According to her, even as they exited the venue at 7pm, long queues still remained. 'Some had already given up and gone home. It wasn't what we expected.' Not everyone, however, had a negative experience. K.A., another attendee, said the crowd outside appeared hectic but things improved inside. 'The flow was actually very quick. I got my contract verified and managed to register with OWWA without any issues,' she said. She shared that, while there were no clear directions at the start, she was able to avoid most of the chaos because she got there early and knew her way to Hall 8. K.A. shared that she got to the World Trade Centre at 6am because she already anticipated the long lines. "There was no metro service yet, so there were fewer people,' she shared. 'I queued from 6am to 10am. The crowd really started to build around 8am, and from then on, it got really crowded." Unexpected turnout John Rio A. Bautista, Labor Attaché of the Migrant Workers Office Dubai, acknowledged the negative feedback. According to him, the event saw an unexpectedly high turnout of nearly 6,000 individuals — far exceeding their initial estimate of 2,000. The event was organised in partnership with the Filipino Social Club, which saw 200 members volunteer to assist with the event. When the turnout exceeded expectations, crowd control measures were implemented. "DMW officials, Consul General Marford Angeles of PCG Dubai, and the President of the Filipino Social Club (FilSoc) personally met with representatives from the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Community Development Authority (CDA), and Dubai Police to help manage order," he explained. "Ambassador Alfonso Ver also took the lead in speaking with attendees at the hall entrances and helping organise the queues to manage the flow of people. Announcements were made regularly during the programme to inform them of alternative solutions." According to Bautista, in DMW's effort to make services accessible to more people, it did not make pre-registration mandatory on the assumption that turnout would mirror previous events, where only about half of those who registered actually showed up. However, this decision, combined with wide online promotion and social media traction, led to an unmanageable surge of walk-ins. Need for improved planning Despite the chaos, the DMW reported that all clients who opted to wait were eventually served — with the final transaction completed at 1.45am the following day: Monday, August 4. A total of 5,742 individuals were assisted, and over 11,383 transactions were recorded. The agency acknowledged the need for improved planning moving forward, including implementing strict pre-registration, limiting daily capacity per service, and potentially expanding the event across multiple emirates or extending it over several days. "Despite our good intentions to cater to as many clients as possible, it is crucial to set the limit by requiring pre-registration per individual agency's set limit," said Bautista. He noted that a proposal is already in place to hold the next Caravan in Abu Dhabi, with a longer duration to better accommodate demand.


Arabian Business
6 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Naïa Island to feature first Cheval Blanc resort and ultra‑luxury beachfront homes
Naïa Island in Dubai will be home to the Gulf region's first Cheval Blanc resort, a private island development that combines beachfront residences, low‑rise architecture and luxury hospitality, the project's backers Shamal Holidng said. Slated to open in 2029, the resort will offer 30 suites and 40 private pool villas designed in Cheval Blanc's signature blend of contemporary elegance and understated luxury. A select number of branded residences and estate plots will also be released, each with direct beach access and full access to the maison's amenities. Shamal Holding, the Dubai-based diversified investment firm, today unveiled Naïa Island Dubai, a landmark private estate set to redefine ultra-luxury living in the region. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 6, 2025 Located off Jumeirah's shoreline and encircled by the Arabian Gulf, the island is being built as a low‑density estate focused on preserved coastal landscapes and open green areas. Plans include a private marina, spa and wellness facilities, and a range of dining concepts integrated with the island's natural setting. 'This marks a defining chapter in our vision to create meaningful experiences,' said Abdulla Binhabtoor, chief executive officer of Shamal Holding, the Dubai‑based investment firm developing the project. 'Naïa Island Dubai offers an enduring address, one that invites presence and lives beautifully over time.' The Cheval Blanc property is part of the brand's selective global growth strategy and marks its first maison in Dubai. Shamal said the development aims to make Naïa Island one of the region's most exclusive coastal destinations while reinforcing Dubai's reputation for world‑class hospitality.