RTA reports 58% growth in water bus passengers in the 3rd quarter

Mohammed Obaid Al-Mulla, CEO of RTA Marine Agency stated that this percentage is a healthy and an ideal indicator of mass transit in the emirate of Dubai. "This is particularly significant if we take into consideration the increasing percentage of Water Bus passengers during the last three months; August, September and October 2007. The service started in Mid of August, and by the end of last October the Water Bus commuted 20927 passengers" he said.

"The number of commuters reached 3486 passengers in August, and the indicator rose to 5357 passengers in September. Number of passengers continued to rise and hit 12084 in October posting a growth rate of 58%. This ratio reflects the increasing success and the trend to use mass transit modes; a matter on which Marine Transport counts so much in its abra fleet; which includes three categories of abras; rowing, motorized and compressed natural gas-operated abras, to be introduced very shortly. All of them will add to the marine transport modes such that a marine mass transit fleet is formed in the emirate of Dubai" added Al-Mulla.

He pointed out that the water bus service is provided over 4 operational lines; B1 Line from Sabkha Station to Bur Dubai Station, which has been run since 16 August 2007, B3 Line from Sabkha Station to Seef Station, which has been operated on 5 September of the same year, B2 Line from Bani Yas Station to Dubai Old Souk Station, which has been launched on 4 October 2007, and the fourth line is B4 Line from Bani Yas Station to Seef Station, which has been operational on 7 October 2007. Fares are paid either in cash, or through prepaid cards offered with a 10% price discount.

Al-Mulla concluded his remarks by saying that the Water Bus is one of the key projects run by Marine Agency aiming at developing marine transport modes that are safe to use and integrated with other modes of transport such as rail, taxi and buses. This drive aims at supporting public transport, contributing to easing traffic congestion in the emirate of Dubai and neighbouring emirates, and realizing the vision of the RTA of providing safe & smooth transport for all.