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(Reporting by Utkarsh Shetti in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
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Khaleej Times
17 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Back to school in UAE: How late start times, flexible work hours could ease traffic
As schools reopen on August 25, traffic congestion has yet again become a major concern for commuters across the UAE. While authorities roll out traffic management plans to cope with the back-to-school rush, experts and professionals say a longer-term fix could lie in adjusting school start times or offering more workplace flexibility. Traffic experts believe staggered school start times and flexible working hours could ease morning bottlenecks, though the impact would depend on the sector. 'In some jobs it's easier to apply flexibility, but in shift work and essential services, there isn't an option,' Dr Eng Mustafa Aldah, founder of MA Traffic Consulting, said. 'But if we as a collective use more public transport, school buses, or even carpooling, that could significantly reduce the number of cars around schools.' He noted that traffic pressure often comes from the way schools are zoned. 'When you put two or three schools on the same street, you're looking at thousands of students and potentially thousands of cars arriving at the same time.' He stressed that no road can be designed just for that 'kind of peak'. Besides timings, Mustafa suggested that governments and even schools should come together and 'question' how traffic impact studies are applied before new schools are approved. Within schools, staggering start and finish times by grade could also ease the morning crunch, he added. 'Children generally welcome later starts, but if parents have fixed work schedules, that creates challenges. More structured carpooling schemes could help, especially in communities where families live near each other but don't know each other well.' For some employees, flexible start times already make a noticeable difference. Ahmed Mubarak, who works at a Dubai-based private company, said his mornings became less stressful after his employer introduced a later start option. 'At my current workplace, I can leave home at 9.30am or even 10am, once the morning rush has cleared,' he said. 'In my previous job, I had to be in the office by 8.30am sharp, and during school term, that was a nightmare.' For Ahmed, now, he can have a proper routine before work instead of rushing out just to beat traffic.' Last year, in May, the Dubai Executive Council approved a traffic improvement plan that emphasized flexible working hours and the expansion of school bus fleets. The initiative includes priority bus routes, expected to reduce trip times by up to 59 per cent, and efforts to increase school bus usage by approximately 13 per cent around school zones. Then, in November, Khaleej Times reported that further studies found combining flexible hours (allowing a two-hour start window) with remote work (up to 4–5 days per month) could reduce morning peak traffic across Dubai by approximately 30 per cent. 'Productivity has gone up' Business leaders said flexibility is not only good for staff but also improves productivity. Karim Hussain, who runs a marketing agency, allowed his team to set their own start times and never looked back. 'Why would I let employees lose most of their energy before the day even begins, worrying about traffic and arriving on time?' he said. 'If something urgent comes up, we adjust, but otherwise I trust my team to manage their own schedules. Productivity has gone up, not down.' Dr Aldah believed the UAE is well-placed to experiment with flexible approaches. 'We've already seen schools testing later start times, and I think more thought needs to go into how timings, zoning, and transport planning can work together,' he said. 'Ultimately, it's about improving daily life for children, parents, and workers.'
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai to get 200 ultra-fast EV charging stations by 2025 under Parkin–e& deal
Parkin has signed a 10-year agreement with charge&go to supercharge Dubai's electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with 200 ultra-fast direct current (DC) charging stations. The project, scheduled to launch in October 2025, will cut charging times to under 30 minutes through advanced DC technology. The network will be rolled out at key destinations across Dubai, including high-density residential communities, major retail centres and leisure hubs, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and supporting the needs of more than 40,000 EVs currently on the road. EV charging in Dubai Phase one of the initiative will see the installation of 20 charging stations in some of the city's busiest areas, followed by a full rollout of 200 public and private charging points over the next 12 months. Unlike conventional alternating current (AC) systems, DC charger technology enables significantly faster charging. Customers will also benefit from real-time status updates, booking options and secure in-app payments through Parkin's mobile application. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said: 'This 10-year partnership with charge&go is a clear example of our commitment to providing cleaner, greener tech-driven mobility solutions to our customers. 'Working closely with our colleagues at e& allows us to tap into a global network of knowledge and expertise along with advanced services across diverse sectors. 'Both Parkin and e& share a commitment to leveraging technology to meet the needs of our digitally savvy clients, supporting Dubai's ongoing transformation into a global, sustainable and future-ready city. 'This collaboration is essential to accelerate the adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and to expand the necessary infrastructure to meet Dubai's growing ambitions for sustainable mobility.' Muammar Al Rukhaimi, CEO of Etisalat Services Holding, said: 'Dubai is rewriting the playbook on how big cities can embrace sustainability at scale, and this EV charging rollout marks a decisive step forward. 'At e&, we are fuelling a movement by deploying cutting-edge technology that delivers real-world impact while ensuring quicker charging turnarounds and a superior customer experience. 'This partnership with Parkin makes green mobility effortlessly accessible and shows how a city can grow boldly without costing the planet.' Parkin, which operates approximately 212,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, first signed an MoU with charge&go in October 2024 during the GITEX exhibition. The new DC charging network will operate under a strict 'park and charge' protocol, ensuring designated bays are only occupied during active charging to prevent overstays and unauthorised use.
Arabian Business
7 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supports 308 startups in H1 2025, up 39% year-on-year
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has revealed that it supported 308 high-potential digital startups to establish and grow their businesses in the emirate during the first half of 2025, marking a 39 per cent increase compared to the 221 companies supported in the same period last year. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: 'We are committed to developing an integrated digital business environment that provides the foundations for success for talents and digital companies, and supports their expansion from Dubai to global markets. 'We continue our efforts to enhance Dubai's attractiveness as a global hub for digital companies, entrepreneurs, and technology investors by strengthening the digital infrastructure, enhancing the legislative and regulatory environment, and creating an ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.' Digital startups in Dubai Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, highlighted the Chamber's initiatives in H1 2025: 'In line with our commitment to supporting the growth of tech companies in Dubai, 10 events were organised during the first half of this year to enhance partnerships and support the digital economy sectors. 'We also organised 15 international roadshows to showcase Dubai's advanced digital business ecosystem and promote the upcoming edition of Expand North Star, the world's largest event for startups and investors.' The roadshows included presentations on the emirate's competitive advantages, details on the comprehensive support offered to digital startups, and pitch competitions showcasing innovative ideas. Winners from each city secured fully sponsored opportunities to participate in Expand North Star 2025, while additional contests offered startups a chance to qualify for the Supernova Challenge, the region's largest startup pitch competition. Organised by DWTC and hosted by Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star 2025 will take place in October and is expected to gather the world's leading startups, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, and digital leaders. The event aims to accelerate collaboration, showcase innovation, and highlight the city's role as a global hub for digital growth.
