Dubai, UAE, August 13, 2008: Since its inception in 1995, Deira City Centre has been one of the most popular shopping and leisure destinations in the country. Thirteen years later, it continues to lead the way, by pioneering initiatives that firmly place its customers at the heart of its business ethos.

As part of one of its latest exemplary incentives, the Centre is offering free shuttle bus service for its resident shoppers that is the first by a mall in Dubai.  This will take the worry off them in looking for a taxi or a parking space or having to mind traffic.

Called CityExpress, Deira City Centre's free residential bus service, transports customers from the mall to key neighbourhoods every day from 3.30pm to midnight. The six CityExpress buses leave Deira City Centre every half-an-hour to cover various locations from within its vicinity such as the Clock Tower, Taj Palace Hotel, Rigga Road, Lotus Hotel, Twin Towers, Nasr Square to as far as Bank Street in Bur Dubai and Karama.

If visitors would like to avail of this service, all they need to do is head to the air-conditioned shuttle bus terminal at the west end of the Centre where they can comfortably seat themselves and wait for the staff to announce the arrival of their bus.

Fuad Al Najjar, Vice-President, Deira City Centre, commented, "We introduced this complimentary shuttle bus service for residents in 2007 to make their commute from the Centre as easy and comfortable as possible. It has proved to be very popular among our visitors with over 50,000 using this facility every month. Not only does our service prove beneficial to customers but also to the environment. In its own small way, our buses are helping reduce congestion on Dubai's roads and saving some precious fuel as well."

To spread awareness about the shuttle service, mall staff regularly distribute leaflets to customers waiting in taxi queues, allowing those whose routes are covered to hop on the bus instead of waiting in line.

One such visitor who is an ardent admirer of both the Centre and the service, Rahul Mukerji, a resident of Bur Dubai, said: "Here's a mall who is thinking out of the box and is trying to make our journey from the mall so hassle-free that I do not have to think twice to come here. I was introduced to this service as I was waiting in the taxi queue. I was approached by the mall staff in an extremely polite manner requesting me to try out their CityExpress bus service. The staff first introduced himself to me before asking my destination which made me feel very comfortable in trying out the service. It is indeed an excellent service."

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About Deira City Centre:
Deira City Centre is one of the flagship shopping, leisure and entertainment centres within the MAF Shopping Malls portfolio.  A multi-faceted complex, it houses over 370 stores and attracts over 22 million visitors a year, making it one of Dubai's leading attractions. 

Deira City Centre is home to 120 fashion outlets and prides itself as featuring mid-market popular fashion with well-known retailers such as Zara, Debenhams, New Look, H&M, Gap, Woolworths and Splash.

The Centre has a wide variety of retailers, including its anchor stores Carrefour, Virgin Megastore, Paris Gallery, Sun & Sand Sports and Magrudy's.  In addition to offering a great shopping experience, the Centre features City Centre Hotel & Residence; CineStar, an 11-screen multiplex cinema; international restaurants and cafes; Magic Planet family entertainment centre; Textile Court, food court with 22 quick-service restaurants, dedicated tourist services, a specialised Jewellery Court and a host of electronic stores - all complementing and enhancing the customer experience. Recently, as part of its ground floor extension, the Centre opened 24 new stores to include Splash, Borders, Boots, Pablosky, Bateel, Shoemart, among others.

For more information, please contact:
Komal Manglani
Polaris Public Relations
P. O. Box 32838,
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555;
Fax: +9714-3415588
Email: k.manglani@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2008