Dubai residents have been scratching their heads over an enigmatic series of adverts featuring an iceberg for days.
Various theories about what the ads meant were put forward - but yesterday the puzzle was solved.
The adverts were linked to the launch of a new air-conditioned luxury waterbus service by the Roads and Transport Authority.
The first of 10 buses was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He watched as the craft emerged from an artificial iceberg floating on the Creek.
The buses will carry passengers on a two-way circular route covering four stations Al Sabkha, Old Deira Souq, s Old Dubai Souq and Bur Dubai.The entire trip, includ ing stops and boarding and s alighting time, will take 30 s minutes. The buses will oper ate seven days a week, from 6am to midnight. The aluminium craft are fitf ted with modern amenities t and were built by UAE-based Seaspry at a total cost of Dh7 million. The RTA says they meet the highest security and r safety criteria.
More than two million peo, ple are expected to use the service in the first year of operation. The 10 buses are capable of carrying more than five million passengers a year.
The service is part of an ambitious Dh1 billion project to develop Dubai's marine transport system.
The buses are an extension of the existing abra service.
Currently 149 abras operate between the two banks of the Dubai Creek carrying more than 25 million passengers annually.
By Jospeh George
© Emirates Today 2007
