RTA implements electronic fare collection project for the Water Bus worth Dhs11m

Mohammad Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of RTA Marine Agency said that the project started in July this year and is poised for completion in December 2008. The project contract was signed between the RTA and an expert office specialized in the electronic fare collection systems, and it provides to the RTA the best electronic fare collection systems. The Contractor is an outstanding specialized company in this field and the RTA is pinning high hopes that the Contractor will deliver the project to the standards worthy of the RTA.

Al Mulla stated that the terms of reference of the Contractor could be summarized in designing and updating the electronic collection system technically matching with the requirements of marine transport, particularly the Water Bus.

It also includes follow-up, supervision, and coordination with all parties at various phases of the project. The system provided by the Contractor will be tested to ensure that it is flawless. Such tests include carrying out the recommended technical tests on the system and programs at four phases starting from the user, electronic reading of data, recording the number of passengers, and saving the entered data. It is also ensured that the system conforms to the requirements of the overall marine transport in the near future.

"This project comprises construction of gates specially tailored to suit the requirements of persons with special needs, as they account for 20% of the overall seats of the Water Bus. RTA assigns top priority to this category and is keen to provide all components of security & safety to them and all users of marine transport, particularly the Water Bus," said Al Mulla. He added that statistics revealed that during the period from mid of August up to mid of October, 20927 passengers have been commuted in 4080 trips i.e. at a rate of 68 trips by the Water Bus per day at headway of 30 minutes.

Payment is conducted either through cash payment or a prepaid card to avail a service spanning five operational lines namely Bi from Al Sabakha Satation to Bur Dubai Station and this service was launched on 16 August 2007. B3 line from Al Sabkha Station to Al Seef Station, and this service was launched on 5 September 2007. B2 from Bani Yas Station to Dubai Old Souk, and this service was launched on 4 October 2007. The fourth line B4 from Bani Yas Station to Al Seef Station and it was operated on 7 October 2007 and the fifth and new line is B5. The fleet consisting of tens of Water Buses is anticipated to commute around two million passengers in the first year.

Al Mulla stated that the Water Bus is made of Aluminium and has a dual base Catarmaran Low Wash. It extends 12 meters in length and 4.2 meters in width and has a speed of 10-12 knots per hour. It weighs around 7 tons and has a capacity of 30 to 35 passengers. It is fitted with a panoramic movable ceiling, twin engines of 185 hp, and central air-conditioning system. The number of boats envisaged in this project is 10 and it is anticipated to commute in the first year more than 2 million passengers. The project covers five key stations, namely Bani Yas Station, Bur Dubai Souk Station, Al Sabkha Station, Dubai Old Souk Station, and Al Seef Station.