The upgraded abra station at Dubai Old Souk opens today, an official at the Dubai Municipality said.
The station, which had been closed for more than two months, was improved by the addition of pontoons to facilitate boarding and disembarking, and a seating area for passengers.
"We are resuming the abra service [water taxi] at the upgraded station today," said Ahmad Al Hammadi, head of Abra Unit at Public Transport Department of the Municipality.
However, there will be some changes in the abra routes as the two other stations are closed for improvement work.
He said the municipality is currently carrying out the construction of floating pontoons at two other abra stations, including Al Sabka station at Deira side of the creek and the Bur Dubai station (near Bank of Baroda).
"The Sabka station will be opened on November 1 while the Bur Dubai station will be ready for service on October 30 this year," he said.
Al Hammadi said temporary stations near the Ministry of Finance building on Bur Dubai side of the creek and the Carlton Tower Station on Deira side of the creek could be used by commuters until the construction work is completed.
Abra service on the second route from Dubai Old Souq Station to Deira Old Souq Abra will resume today as well.
The municipality is also constructing two new abra stations.
"We have completed work on the new station in front of Dubai Municipality headquarters on Baniyas Road while construction work on the other station in front of the British Embassy on Al Seef road will be over in December.
"We will expand the abra service routes once all the stations are opened," he said.
The municipality is spending Dh20 million on the construction of new abra stations and to improve existing stations.
At a glance
- Some 40,000 passengers use the abra service daily.
- Abra is the oldest mode of water transport in Dubai.
- It is the quickest way to cross the creek with 50fils fare per person.
- Two more abra stations will be opened by the end of this year.
Gulf News
