Almost 9 million commuters used abras in Dubai Creek the last four months

"The number of commuters transported by motorized abras reached 8.702.014 passengers transported in 435.100 trips from the beginning of January up to the end of April this year, compared to 8.409.892 passengers transported in 420.494 trips last year. Whereas 4617 passengers were commuted by rowing abras in 5920 trips from the beginning of January up to the end of April this year, compared to 2450 passengers commuted in 1947 trips during the same period last year" said Engineer Ahmed Al Hammadi, Director of Operation and Performance Dep't of Marine Transport Agency.

He further added that rowing abra is considered a traditional means of marine transport that the RTA is keen to support, and encourage people to use it in commuting between the two banks of Dubai Creek, or as a tourist symbol of our ancestors' heritage. Motorized abras are essential components that reflect the progress and new developments in the field of marine transport. They provide transit service to all commuters between the two banks of the Creek, offer all means of comfort together with quality and safety in a way that reflects provision of safe and smooth transport for all.

Al Hammadi pointed that the Agency is keen to provide all modes of marine transport modelled after the best fitted types of marine liners and boats along with operating and developing all marine transport systems, including motorized and rowing abras. The Agency has recently commenced operating three abras on compressed natural gas and the water bus, which is the latest addition to this field, promises to add more once it is operated, he concluded.