RTA to run Water Taxi service next year

"20 locations have been approved for establishing Water Taxi stations during the initial phase of the project, which will contribute to alleviating traffic congestion in Dubai. The Project will be specifically important in the foreseeable future, following the completion of giant maritime projects such as the Palm Deira, the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali, and The World. Works have already started in designing a model Water Taxi station," revealed Mr. Khaled Mohammed Al Zahed, Acting CEO of RTA Marine Agency.

"The Agency made several site visits in order to identify possible locations for the Water Taxi stations. Following a study, stations have been classified into four groups: stations ready for construction or modification, stations that require sometime for construction, stations feasible in 2011, and stations considered unfeasible.

"Stations ready for construction or modification include Bur Dubai Station, Dubai Old Souk Station, Old Deira Souk Station, Al Sabkha Station, Bani Yas Station, Al Seef Station, the Floating Bridge Station, the Golf Club Station, Park Hyatt Hotel Station, and Dubai Festival City Station. They also include four stations in Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Golf Resort Station, Al Habtour Hotel Station, Grand & Royal Meridian Hotel Station, Jumeirah Hilton Station, and Jumeirah Sheraton Station.

"In the initial stage 10 boats, costing 30 million dirham, will be operated as Water Taxis. The Project also covers Al Khor lines, the Coastal Line running along Jumeirah coast to serve tourists in the emirate, and the line linking down town Dubai with the Palms projects (Jumeirah, Deira and Jebel Ali) and The World.

"The Project meets the expectations & requirements of a new community segment and covers new areas which have not been served by marine transit system. The plan will be implemented over several stages in a specific time chart. The service will be available on demand through phone booking, and passengers need to wait in an agreed station for boarding the Water Taxi. Dismounting will be optional according to the wish of passengers in any of the Water Taxi Stations. The Water Taxi could also be hired for tourist purposes along Dubai Creek"

added Al Zahed.

Speaking on the technical specifications of the Project, Al Zahed said that the Water Taxi measures 10.8 meters in length, 4.1 meters in width, 1.8 meters in depth and has a draught of 0.6 meters. It has a dual low waves base with a speed up to 35 knots and can run in waves rising up to 0.5 meter. As to security and safety features, the Water Taxi is fitted with the best marine security and safety tools in accordance with specifications and terms provided for in Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) international treaty. It can accommodate 11 passengers in addition to the driver, and 20% of seats will be foldable to allow for a suitable room for the movement of wheel chairs of special need persons, enabling further safety and stability on board.

It has twin environment-friendly diesel engines of 370 hp fitted with a water jet propulsion, and the interior will be air-conditioned. Seats will be modeled on airplanes business class seat features, with a 45 degrees reclining back and a mini table as well. All seats will be fitted with life jackets underneath, in line with the conditions set in SOLAS treaty. LCD monitors will be fitted at the back of seats to display guidance & awareness messages as well as promotional materials.

As far as the navigational equipment are concerned, the Water Taxi is fitted with the best navigational systems approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), fixed wireless phone, Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Automatic Identification System (AIS).