Dubai, Aug 15, 2004: More than 30 members of the Dubai Club for Special Sports enjoyed a special tour on the amphibious Wonder Bus, sponsored by the Department of Economic Development (DED).  Ten boys and thirteen girls from the club accompanied by their teachers were given a special treat by the Back-2-School Surprises committee at DED. The Department also sponsored another tour of the bus for several orphan children in co-ordination with Bait Al Khair. 

"Back-2-School Surprises is a time to celebrate children's desire for knowledge and new experiences, and this year, our theme is focused on entertainment combined with education," said Ms Dhabya Buti Al Suwaidi, Head of Back-2-School Surprises committee at the DED. "We hope this trip will be a memorable one for these young people by giving them a new experience to cherish and enabling them to understand the concept of traveling on land and water," she added.

The Wonder Bus took off from Bur Juman Centre, traveling by road to the Al Boom Tourist Village, where it entered the water. The Bus cruised the Creek from Garhoud to the Bur Dubai area, traveling at a maximum speed of 7knots. It returned to the Bur Juman Centre via road after a round trip of about two hours.

The special guests on board the bus were entertained with music and refreshments. The presenter also organized a simple quiz game for the special passengers to ensure that everyone participated.  In addition, the guests were presented with gifts and souvenirs of the trip.

The Wonder Bus tours have been part of Dubai's tourism scenario for almost a year now and are the first of its kind in the Middle East. Built to seat about 45 people, the bus transforms easily into a boat on contact with the water. 

The Bus/boat operates on a single engine with two shafts and two gears - road and marine. The Bus is also fully geared for emergencies with life jackets for all passengers, automatic fire extinguishers and foam layer compartments to assure floating in case of emergency.

"When the bus is fully inside the water, the gear has to be changed from road to marine and then it begins to operate like a boat," said Captain Taher Aziz, who has been driving the Wonder Bus since its arrival on Dubai's tourism scenario about a year ago. "Rules for driving in water are pretty much like those on the road and we have to be careful to keep to our lanes and not go over the maximum speed limit of 7 knots," he added.

The Captain explained that steering the Wonder Bus in water is often a tricky process especially under the bridge where the water sometimes becomes turbulent. Steering in the water is completely dependent on the cameras fitted in front and rear of the bus, as there is no other way to see what is happening beneath the bus.

-Ends-  

Note to Editors:
About Department of Economic Development (DED):
The Department of Economic Development (DED) was established in March 1992, with the objective to organise, regulate and boost trade and industry within the Emirate of Dubai. The DED has moulded its mission of building a futuristic establishment, in accordance with the vision of the Government of Dubai and in the light of globalisation and the requirements of a digital economy. One of its key functions is to encourage local and foreign investments in commercial and industrial projects, and create the appropriate environment for investors. 

The DED's other functions comprise a wide range of regulatory activities including the preparation and maintenance of a commercial register and the supervision of all organisations. The DED is responsible for regulating the affairs of commercial agents and brokers and commercial advertising offices, in addition to overseeing and controlling the insurance industry in the Emirate. Examining the participation of the government in the private sector and representing the government in companies where it has a stake, also comes under the purview of the DED.

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© Press Release 2004