DUBAI 9th August, 2015 (WAM) -- RTA 's Public Transport Agency in Dubai has announced a discount on the tariff of water transport means including Water Bus, Water Taxi, Dubai Ferry and Blue (Electrical) Abra. The move is intended to render water transport more enjoyable for all community members, especially frequent users, among residents, tourists and visitors coming to Dubai from all corners of the globe.

"The RTA is offering this discount to marine transport users to make them happier and boost their satisfaction rating with the services provided, as well as luring fresh potential passengers from residents, tourists and visitors to use marine transit modes," said Osama Mesbah Salama, Acting Director of Marine Transport, Public Transport Agency.

Marine passengers will enjoy 5% discount on the current fares set for the Water Bus, Water Taxi, Dubai Ferry and Blue Abras for chartered trips only. The said that the discount will also apply to senior citizens riding scheduled trips of the Dubai Ferry upon presentation of national identity cards.

"The agency will also offer 5% discount for riders who buy return two-way tickets for transiting aboard Dubai Ferry between Al Ghubaiba and the Marina, where three scheduled trips are operating. To avail this discount, a return ticket has to be purchased," continued Salama.

"This initiative has the potential of enticing additional numbers of public transport riders to use marine transit modes which are an integral part of the advanced public transport network in the Emirate of Dubai. This offer will run until end of December 2015," added the Acting Director.

Marine transit, during the first half of this year, have carried 7,492,529 passengers. 7,171,509 riders used abras, 249,911 riders used the Water Bus, 56,568 riders used Dubai Ferry, and 14,541 riders used the Water Taxi.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2015.