More than 20,000 commuters use Water Bus in August - October

Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of RTA Marine Agency stated that according to statistics 20,927 passengers have been ferried in 4,080 trips at an average of 68 trips per day per a single Water Bus. Fares are paid either through cash payment, or a prepaid card; which offers a 10% discount.

"Number of commuters in August reached 3,486 passengers, while the number soared in November to 5,357 passengers. However, in October it touched 12,084 passengers commuted in three operational lines; B1 from Al Sabkha Station to Bur Dubai Station (service launched in 16 August 2007), B3 from Al Sabkha Station to Al Seef Station (service launched on 5 September 2007), and B2 from Bani Yas Station to Old Dubai Souk Station (service started on 4 October 2007)," said Al Mulla.

He added that the Water Bus project is one of the key projects in Marine Agency; which aims at developing safe marine transport systems integrated with other modes of transport such as rail, taxi & buses. The aim of the project as a whole is to support public transport means, and contribute to easing traffic congestion in Dubai city in particular, and the neighbouring emirates in general.

The CEO of Marine Agency commented that Marine Agency looks after developing and constructing all marine transport systems. Such a task covers a lot of matters to which we give due attention; which could be summarized in three key points. The first point is to conduct detailed studies and identify the applicable practices necessary for designing, constructing, managing, operating, and maintaining these systems.

This includes defining paths & services, specifying locations of stations, workshops and associated technological systems, specifying the types of boats, managing & operating the system, and supervising maintenance works. The second point is to license marine transport lines and various types of boats along with their drivers. The third point is to draft legislations related to the business of the Agency, and raise them to the Board of the RTA, and implement the approved legislations, including those related to passenger fare, and fees of utilizing all related facilities & installations.

Al Mulla further added that the Water Bus is made up of aluminum with a dual base known as Catamaran Low Wash. It measures 12 meters in length and 4.2 meters in width. Its speed is about 10-12 knots per hour and weighs about 7 tons. It has a capacity to accommodate 30 to 35 passengers and is fitted with a panoramic view movable ceiling. The Water Bus is fitted with two diesel engines of 185 horse power and also provided with central air-conditioning system. Currently there are 10 boats operating under this project and the Water Bus is expected to lift more than 2 million persons during the first year.

This project covers five main stations, which are: Baniyas, Dubai Old Souk, Al Sabkha, Bur Dubai Souk, and Al Seef.