Oil Emirate pushing #transit with free rides

gulfnews : Public transport users to enjoy free rides Tuesday: "Dubai: Leave your cars behind for a day and use public transport free of cost as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) celebrates Public Transport Day on November 1.
"On November 1, give your car a break. Ride all public transport — the Metro, public buses and water buses — absolutely free using your Nol card," said the RTA official. A similar message was also sent out to all Nol card users by the RTA as transport is free only for Nol card-holders.
By celebrating Public Transport Day, the RTA aims to activate a synchronised public transport network, in addition to encouraging the use of public transport and increasing the number of users by informing them about its distinct features, said a senior official."

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Stop using cars, or it is the end of humans

Tokyo has unveiled a loan programme to aid flood-hit firms (AFP/File, Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

AFP: Japan to support firms hit by Thai floods: "TOKYO — Japan Tuesday announced provisions to help its companies hit by Thailand's worst flooding in decades, as supply disruptions force firms to shutter plants and production is hit at home."

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Hike in public transport use sought - Taipei Times

Hike in public transport use sought - Taipei Times: "Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) yesterday said the ministry aims to increase the public transport usage rate from about 14 percent to 30 percent, with a goal of a 5 percent increase annually.
Mao made the statement at a transportation service seminar held by the ministry, where he delivered a speech titled “Vision of a Low Carbon Emission, Sustainable Transport Development.”"

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1.2 million flee as Typhoon Roke hits Japan

Damage from Typhoon Roke is evident in Kasugai, central Japan, as the 130 mph storm swept across the country, halting business, causing mass evacuations and leaving 13 dead or missing.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/21/MN8O1L7ODG.DTL#ixzz1YfmslggQ

A powerful typhoon cut a path through Japan's main island on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of more than 1.2 million from the area and causing the deaths or disappearance of at least 13 people.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/21/MN8O1L7ODG.DTL#ixzz1Yfmjyn6v

New Taipei City promotes tourism with Car-Free Day - The China Post

New Taipei City promotes tourism with Car-Free Day - The China Post: "The China Post news staff--New Taipei City blocked vehicles from the streets of riverside Danshui's favorite tourist spots as it marked Car-Free Day yesterday.

The areas around Danshui's old street were closed to traffic starting 10 a.m., giving pedestrians a car-free environment to enjoy its famous foods and river scenes. They were also entertained by street performers.

Mayor Eric Chu urged tourists to take the MRT and other public transportation to Danshui.

Chu boarded a ferry at the nearby Kuandu pier for a ride down the river to Danshui. He then took a walk in the car-free zone, greeting and chatting with tourists before leaving by MRT."

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How Biofuels Are Destroying Indigenous Communities in Malaysia - James Whitlow Delano - International - The Atlantic

How Biofuels Are Destroying Indigenous Communities in Malaysia - James Whitlow Delano - International - The Atlantic: "Bio-fuel is not always 'green' or sustainable as an alternative energy. Logging and then palm oil plantations have cost two indigenous Malaysian 'little peoples' -- the Batek and the Penan, so-called in reference to both physical stature and political clout -- much of their rainforest homelands. Malaysia is now the world's second largest producer of palm oil after its larger neighbor, Indonesia, while logging companies in the country have grown into multi-national corporations, increasing the wealth of their foreign owners at the expense of the forest peoples whose homes they destroy."

Congested Jakarta Must Embrace Public Transportation: Fauzi | The Jakarta Globe

Congested Jakarta Must Embrace Public Transportation: Fauzi | The Jakarta Globe: "As the Indonesian capital enters the ripe old age of 484 years, its governor stated the obvious on Tuesday: Jakarta has an acute shortage of public transport.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said there were 7.34 million vehicles in the city, but public transport only accounted for just 2 percent of them."