Dubai: Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) launched yesterday evening the maiden trip of the Water Bus across Dubai Creek, unveiling a new marine transport mode shuttling between Al Sabkha & Bur Dubai Stations.
Engineer Khalid Al Zahid, Acting CEO of RTA's Marine Agency, commented on the launch saying, "It is time to launch the Water Bus, which is viewed as one of the key pillars of marine transport systems. Marine transport projects aim at developing marine transport modes that are both safe & integrated with other modes of transport, such as rail, taxi & buses. The aim is to consolidate public transport means & contribute to ease traffic congestion in the city of Dubai as well as the neighbouring emirates in general".
He pointed out that the overall lines dedicated for passenger service of the water bus operating in Dubai Creek are 4 key lines, namely:
Al Sabkha - Bur Dubai
Bani Yas - Old Dubai Souk
Al Sabkha - Al Seef
Bani Yas - Al Seef
The service starts at 06.00 am and continues up to 11.00 pm according to a predefined trip schedule. The service will be operated at 10 minutes intervals during peak hours (7 - 9 am), and every 15 minutes at off-peak times.
"The public may pay the fare amounting to AED 4 per a single trip either cash or through a prepaid card available at all stations covered by the service," said Al Zahid.
"There is also a tourist line for the Water Bus starting from Al Seef Station & terminating at Al Shandaga Station, located at the Heritage Village slated for opening next October, the bus returns in a back trip through the same line. This step aims at stimulating marine tourism in the emirate, particularly at the two banks of Dubai Creek, which attracts many tourists" added Al Zahid.
He revealed that the tourist service of the water bus starts at 08.00 am and continues up to 12.00 (midnight) throughout the week. The trip across Dubai Creek lasts 45 minutes, with one hour interval between trips, and AED25 is the fare set for a single trip.
Al Zahid elaborated on the key features of the new Water Bus service saying: "Requirements of people with special needs are well catered in the Water Bus so as to secure easy boarding & mobility for them. The bus is fitted with a state-of-the-art air-conditioning system, which is second to none in this line of industry. The aim is to provide convenient & homogeneous atmosphere for passengers of the Water Bus, particularly during summer, where temperature soars very high."
He added that the Water Bus is made of aluminum and has a dual base structure known as Catamaran Low Wash. It measures 12 meters in length and 4.2 meters in width. It has a maximum speed of 12 knots and a bare weight of 8 tons. It has a seating capacity of 63 passengers and has a panoramic movable ceiling.
The Water Bus is fitted with twin diesel engines of 200 hp. At this stage 10 water buses will be operated and the number of passengers to be served by the Water Bus in the initial year is expected to be 2,059,980 passengers.
The Water Bus has been manufactured according to the highest security & safety global standards. All water buses have been manufactured & assembled in accordance with the prerequisites of Lloyd's global company; which scrutinized and supervised all manufacturing phases.
Recently a contract was made with a Singaporean Co. to operate & maintain the water bus. The company is specialized in this field and operates similar services in several countries across the world.
Engineer Al Zahid concluded his statement by pointing out that the strategic plan of Marine Agency extends up to 2020, and takes into consideration the overall profile & phenomenal demographic expansion witnessed by the emirate of Dubai. The plan envisages containing the congested spots in the emirate and aspires to provide seamless traffic flow in all land & water routes.
He concluded that the Agency is undertaking development of marine transport service through multiple & ambitious vital projects, at the top of which comes the Water Bus project, to provide excellent services to the public. Customer opinion polls reveal that there is a wish to have a marine transport mode that is both convenient and air-conditioned. Therefore, the Agency was engaged in providing this mode; which was modeled after the best international standards, while securing quality service & safety to water bus commuters.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2007
