Dubai Metro Set To De-Stress The Workforce

For many Dubai residents, it will be an exciting new way of getting around the city, but, according to a Dubai-based psychiatrist, the Metro, opening on September 9, 2009, will also be an opportunity to reduce stress and improve the quality of life of thousands of commuters.

The Dh15.5 billion driverless railway, which will cater to an average of 1.2 million passengers a day and deliver around 17 per cent of the public transport needs of the emirate, is on target for its September Red Line opening, which will see up to 40 trains every hour moving along 52 km of track. The journey along Sheikh Zayed Road from Al Rashidiya to Jebel Ali will stop at 29 stations – including Burj Dubai and Dubai International Airport. The Green Line is expected to open in March 2010, when 18 more stations will serve an additional 22.5 km of track.

Dr Arne Brosig of German Center for Neurology and Psychiatry (GNP) in Dubai Healthcare City explains how the various benefits associated with Metro commuting as an alternative to using the car will be a boost to individuals and the city’s productivity. He says: “Many studies have shown a significant relationship between reduced stress and better professional performance. For instance, the US Transportation Research Board carried out a field study when a New York commuter rail line was improved and found increased work productivity and reduced commuter stress. Commuters who switched to the new train service also experienced a reduced level of job strain after the implementation of the line.

“When driving the car during rush hour, commuters need to be continuously mindful of traffic rules, speed limits, traffic lights, jams, other drivers, accidents on the road, pressure of delays, being late for appointments and aggression of other drivers. The list is endless and all contribute to stress levels. Of course, there will also be other stress factors encountered on the way to and from the Metro station, but overall it is likely to result in a sizeable reduction in daily stress levels for thousands every day.”

Dr Brosig continues: “Stress has a close relationship with work productivity. The higher the stress level when you start your working day, the smaller is the coping ability for the rest of the day. For instance, if you damage your car on the way to work, then you are unlikely to be as productive throughout the working day as you would have been arriving fully relaxed. This is not restricted to work productivity, but all other aspects of life and health can be influenced by stress. There is a certain amount of stress which is good and actually helps to improve performance. We call this “Eustress”. However, after a certain point, when stress becomes too much it will reduce a person’s productivity. This is called “Distress”. However, it is impossible to predict individually which amount of stress is too much for someone, because the same stress factor, such as a traffic jam, can be dealt with totally different by two different people, depending upon the overall stress level of the individual and the coping mechanisms this person uses to deal with stressful situations.”

And, according to Brosig, there will be other interesting points to look at once the Metro is running. He says: “Apart from the stress factor which will be influenced positively, the Metro will most likely be a meeting point of different social groups and this will be very interesting. Of course there will be some limitations to interaction due to the different classes (Gold, Silver, Ladies and Family) and it could be a challenge to attract very wealthy people to share even the same transport mode with manual labourers or even lower level employees. In this part of the world, many businessmen have their own private drivers, and they seem the least likely group to convert to Metro travelling.

“If you take into consideration the number of Dubai residents who complain about the city’s traffic situation, then it is plain to see that demand for an alternative transport system is definitely there. The key to changing people’s unwillingness to give up their cars for the commute will largely depend upon the ease of access to the Metro and how a number of questions are answered: How easy will it be to reach the Metro station and depart from it? How will you reach your final destination once you reach the desired Metro station? How comfortable and how crowded will the Metro journey be? Are the correct routes connected by the Metro? But as far as we hear through the media, the RTA takes all these points into consideration and provides for example free multi-storey car parks for the Metro users.”

The RTA is working hard to ensure first time users are not disappointed and turned off after the first journey by making the Metro easy to use, with unified prepaid cards that can also be used on buses and water taxis. By the time the Red Line opens, 33 bus routes are scheduled to feed its 29 stations, with a maximum targeted waiting time of 10 minutes for each bus.

Dr Brosig adds: “Everybody in Dubai is very curious about the Metro at the moment, so first impressions will last and if people enjoy the experience and discover that the Metro indeed connects the important routes for them, then they will be much more likely to take advantage of it in the future. However, for those who get the car out of the garage in order to enjoy a ride in their luxury car with side benefits, such as perceived respect or a symbol of wealth, then I believe the Metro will struggle to compete.”

A study by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends a basic daily fitness regime of walking 10,000 steps, discovered that train commuters walked an average of 30 per cent more steps every working day than car drivers. It also found more than 40 per cent walked at least 10,000 steps a day, compared with just over 14 per cent of car commuters.

Dr Brosig added: “The idea of walking and getting fitter as a draw for people to use the Metro would be very nice, but I don’t think people will necessarily use the Metro for this reason. Perhaps if the number of covered footways linking Dubai to the Metro increases in the future, especially in the summer, then people will consider using this as a means of exercise.

“Although the free Wi-Fi access on the train could be a temptation to pack some more work into the day, we at the German Center for Neurology and Psychiatry, being of course concerned with the mental health of people, would recommend Metro commuters to instead have an interesting conversation with their neighbour, read some articles or listen to relaxing music,” Brosig adds.

Long Lunch Set To Whet The Appetite For 2009 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

Momentum for this year’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is gathering plenty of pace following confirmation that two of the game’s biggest names from the 60’s will be in the city for the annual ‘Long Lunch’.

The event traditionally marks the countdown to the Dubai Sevens and with Irishman Willie John McBride MBE representing the North, and New Zealander Sir Colin Meads representing the South, fans are in for an unforgettable afternoon of rugby entertainment.

“The Long Lunch has built up a huge reputation over the past few years and is a fantastic way to celebrate the kickoff to one of the region’s most loved sporting events,” said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group.

“We are encouraging people to book their tables early to ensure they are part of a great afternoon of rugby tales from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.”

Although he played 63 times for Ireland in a 13-year international career, 11 times as captain, Willie John McBride will forever be associated with the British and Irish Lions, with whom he toured five times and won 17 caps. Although he had to play nine Tests before tasting success, he was a key member of two of the most successful tours in the history of the Lions – New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974.

Considered to be the most famous forward in world rugby in the 1960s, Meads was a regular All Black from 1957 to 1971, playing in 55 Test matches (4 as captain), and scoring 21 Test points. He also played in 15 Bledisloe Cup matches. He was named Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards Dinner in 1999.

Meads and McBride are now good friends however faced off against each other numerous times on the pitch. Both are Members of the International Rugby Hall of Fame, so there will surely be tales a plenty from the two big men of 60’s rugby.

The banter will be controlled by New Zealand long distance runner and Olympian Richard ‘Dick’ Taylor, best known for winning the 10,000m at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“Both speakers are known for being engaging, animated and highly entertaining and will no doubt have the 600 plus guests hanging on every word,” said Mr. Chapman.

“The Long Lunch is one of those sporting functions that many people in Dubai look forward to all year. With Willie John McBride MBE and Sir Colin Meads as speakers, and Dick Taylor as MC, this year certainly promises to live up to all those high expectations. Both speakers are known not only for their ability to entertain on the rugby field, but also from behind the podium, with a wonderful combination of wit, humour and insight into the game of rugby,” added Mr. Chapman.

Every year the ‘Long Lunch’ acts as the perfect curtain-raiser for the Dubai Sevens, which in 2009 will see 16 international (IRB Sevens World Series) and a host of local and social teams battling it out from December 3rd to 5th at ’The Sevens’, Emirates’ purpose built sporting venue off the Al Ain Road.

This year’s Long Lunch will take place at the Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City on October 8th. The cost for a table of 10 is AED 4,500 or AED 450 per person.

The Long Lunch last year helped to raise over AED 20,000 for the PRA (Professional Rugby Players Association) and Wooden Spoon (supporting mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people) charities and all proceeds from this year’s event will once again support them.

For further details on the Long Lunch and Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, please visit www.dubairugby7s.com

du TV+ package set to revolutionise TV experience in the UAE

du today announced the successful introduction of du TV+ services on 1 July, 2009 in its current fixed-line areas.du TV+ will provide du home customers with an unmatched TV viewing experience including an array of advanced features such as intuitive and simplified search and display, superior channel browsing, instant channel change capability, an ergonomically-designed Enhanced Electronic Program Guide and the option of pausing, rewinding and recording live programming.The star attraction of the du TV+ package is undoubtedly High Definition television (HDTV). Currently HD channels like National Geographic HD, myZen TV, Luxe TV and Showtime HD are available as part of the suite of Free-to-Air channels. du is currently working with other content providers to bring more HD channels into the UAE.du TV+ is now available to new home customers in the areas covered by du’s fixed-line network. Existing du home customers will be migrated to du TV+ services in a phased manner by swapping the du TV decoders starting 15 August, 2009. The upgrade will be done free of charge.Farid Faraidooni, EVP Commercial, du, said: “du has collaborated with Microsoft to bring a new dimension to TV viewing in the UAE. Our state-of-art offering includes features like intuitive channel search and display, advanced browsing and High Definition TV. HD channels from du are available to all new du customers at no extra charge until 31 July, 2009.”Added Faraidooni, “du will introduce its commercial HD packages in August 2009. Over the past several months, du has been working with leading channel providers to bring High Definition content into the UAE. As more channels become available, du will progressively add more HD content to its TV offering. All du customers will have access to unparalleled picture and sound quality.”Details of features:New du TV is powered by Microsoft Mediaroom, the award-winning Internet Protocol television (IPTV) software platform. Mediaroom features advanced multimedia capabilities including digital video recording, video on demand, high-definition television, instant channel zapping and multiview capabilities.With the new du TV+ service, viewers will not only enjoy superior browsing but will also be able to pause, rewind and record live TV, meaning they will never miss that amazing football goal or dramatic movie scene. Now there will be no need to rush back home to watch a favourite movie or TV series as viewers can schedule a recording of their favourite programmes using du’s simple, user-friendly menu.Both du TV and du TV+ customers can arrange a bouquet of favourite channels quite easily, and they will have a parental control feature to protect their children from watching any unwanted channels.A new Electronic Program Guide allows viewers to see what is coming up on their favourite channels and what is going to play up to seven days in advance. In addition, customers will not need to keep multiple remote controls for the TV and the du decoder as the du remote is compatible with both.Details of du TV packages:With every du TV subscription, viewers will receive the basic TV package that includes more than 130 channels from around the world in different genres and in different languages. Every du TV subscriber will also have access to Pay-TV bouquets from Showtime, Orbit Pehla, Firstnet, ART and JSTV, and High Definition TV, all on one TV decoder for an affordable price.Subscriptions for du TV come with a standard decoder and a Basic TV Package for a monthly fee of AED 30; subscriptions for du TV+ include a personal recordable decoder and a Basic TV Package for a monthly fee of AED 55.New customers in residential areas served by du can subscribe to new du TV services by visiting du shops at the following locations:• Dubai Media, City Building #14, Ground Floor
• Ibn Battuta Mall, Persian Court
• Mall of the Emirates, Ground Floor
• Jumeirah Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Precinct Building No. 5
• Jumeirah Beach Residence, Sadaf Tower, Plaza Floor
• International City, China Cluster, Building C11, Shop 0 

English Band Keane Set To Perform To Sell-Out Crowds

English piano rock band Keane are all set to wow crowds at the Madinat Arena on July 8, 2009, in their first ever concert in the Middle East. The show is part of Dubai Summer Surprises events for this year. The overwhelming popularity of the band is evident from the fact that all tickets for the show have been sold out. The concert begins at 9pm.Known for using the piano as their lead instrument instead of guitars, Keane has stood out from most conventional rock bands and have seen a string of successes since they first started out as the Lotus Eaters in 1995. Their latest album Perfect Symmetry has been a hit with fans all over the world reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number 7 on the US Billboard 200. Fans can catch band members Tim Rice-Oxley, Tom Chaplin, and Richard Hughes perform some of their well-known hits including the award-winning song from the self-titled album Perfect Symmetry.