Marine Agency runs more than 65 Abra trips under the "24 Hours Service"

Mohammed Obaid Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RTA Marine Agency stated that the Agency runs more than 65 abra night trips daily, posting a growth rate of 30% compared to May 2007. Average number of daily passengers is 1080, and the number exceeds 3000 passengers on Fridays and during Eids & official holidays in Dubai. Accordingly, passenger traffic is witnessing a growth rate of 15% compared to the same period in last May.

"Statistics reveal an obvious growth in marine transport operations by abras across Dubai Creek under te 24 Hours Service, particularly during the period between 12.00 am (after midnight) and 06.00 am. In September 2006, the number of abras providing this service was 15, whereas the number rose to 21 in January 2007, and grew further to reach 30 abras in May of this year.

The number of passengers was 348 during the same period in 2006 served by 17 trips. In January of this year, the number of passengers grew to 695 passengers served in 35 trips, but more growth is witnessed in May of this year as the number of passengers jumped to 938 passengers served in 52 trips" Al Mulla said.

He pointed out that the growth rate in the number of abras providing such service reached 90 abras in January of this year, while the number of passengers grew by 48%, compared to September 2006. Growth rate compared to May of this year reached 30% in abras, 26% in passengers and 33% in trips.

Al Mulla added that the Agency is attaching much attention to these figures and statistics due to the significance of marine transport services.

"Marine Agency is keen to upgrade the quality of services delivered to users, including the 24 Hours Marine Transport Service. For this reason, we are preparing such statistics to assess the extent of progress made by the Agency in developing any service aiming at renovating, modernizing and developing marine transport operations" he said.

"The 24 Hours Service is provided in response to the wish of customers willing to commute by abras between the two banks of Dubai Creek, as part of the efforts to provide marine transit requirements across the Creek. It also marks efforts made by the Agency to keep abreast of the latest developments in delivering services, and in implementation of the policies aiming at integrating & linking marine transport with other specialized passenger transport services. This particularly applies to integration with the recently launched 24-Hours Bus Services.

Therefore, Marine Agency, as a key mass transit portal across Dubai Creek, has a duty to provide this service round the clock. This will contribute to billing another title to the numerous brand names of Dubai as "The City That Never Sleeps". Accordingly marine transport will integrate with other modes of transport to provide an integrated mass transit network; and go one step closer towards materializing the vision of the RTA of "providing safe & smooth transport for all" Al Mulla commented.

In concluding his remarks Al Mulla pointed out that this service is run through Line#2 shuttling between Old Dubai Souk Station and Sabkha Station. The service targets customers commuting across the Creek after midnight (12.00am) till 06.00 in the morning.