A Palestinian pilgrim leaving for the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AP
A Palestinian pilgrim leaving for the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AP
A Palestinian pilgrim leaving for the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AP
A Palestinian pilgrim leaving for the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Photo: AP

Careem starts bus service from Jeddah to Makkah


Nada El Sawy
  • English
  • Arabic

Careem, the Dubai ride-hailing platform that was bought by Uber for $3.1 billion (Dh11.39bn), has launched direct bus services from Jeddah to Makkah, the company announced Tuesday.

The service will start with 13-seater buses and is priced at 25 Saudi riyals (Dh24) each way, 60 per cent cheaper than typical ride-hailing services, according to Careem.

“Careem Bus will revolutionise mass transportation across Saudi Arabia and bring a new level of sophistication and price to our customers,” said Hadeer Shalaby, director of Careem Bus, in a statement. “The 13-seater service has been a huge success in Egypt, easing traffic flows and providing a safe and efficient way to commute.”

The Jeddah-Makkah route, which received approval from the Saudi Public Transport Authority, serves pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah or Hajj. Many fly into Jeddah airport, 85 kilometres away from Makkah.

Careem Bus is the first app-based mass transportation bus service in Saudi Arabia and is part of Careem’s “ongoing commitment to solving transportation issues, improving mobility and creating jobs”, the statement said.

Customers can book through a separate Careem Bus app, but walk-on passengers are also accepted. The service is currently cash only, but soon will be available via several payment methods, including by credit card or Careem wallet.

Careem is looking to offer bus routes throughout the region. It acquired Indian bus-shuttle app Commut in September last year and also said Pakistan is a possibility. Careem Bus may add routes in the Kingdom based on customer feedback.

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
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  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

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New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lewis Hamilton in 2018

Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th

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Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

The%20specs
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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Second ODI

England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)

England win by 86 runs

Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley 

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

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