UAE | Traffic and Transport
Abras to be powered with green energy
Traditional water taxis called abras in Dubai will go environment-friendly, as the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has signed an agreement with Emirates Gas to convert abras to compressed natural gas (CNG).
- by Ashfaq Ahmad, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
- Currently, abras, which are the cheapest and fastest mode of transport to cross the Dubai Creek, are being run on diesel, creating air and noise pollution.
Dubai: Traditional boats or abras may soon run on compressed natural gas and solar power to make them environment friendly.
Initially three out of 149 abras currently running on diesel will be converted into compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles as part of a pilot project.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) yesterday signed an agreement with Emirates Gas, a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Co. Ltd (Enoc).
Solar efforts
According to the agreement, Emirates Gas will finance a Dh500,000 project to convert engines of three abras into engines run on CNG within the next six months.
"We will convert other abras if the pilot project proves successful," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA.
"We are also working on the project to have solar-powered abras in addition to CNG abras," said Eisa Al Dossari, CEO of Marine Transport Agency. He said a solar-powered abra was tried earlier but it could not achieve the required speed.
Al Tayer had told reporters that operating abra on CNG has multiple benefits. "It is expected to reduce fuelling cost by 30 per cent and reduce pollution level resulting from the diesel-operated engines of abras by 66 per cent."
He said RTA's Marine Transport Agency has started the Phase 1 of the comprehensive public water transport plan for Dubai Creek.
RTA will run 10 water-buses with capacity of 35 passengers each from July. It will also run six ferries with capacity of 120 passengers each from next year.
CNG cylinders will be filled at a temporary station at abra berthing sites.
Gas-run public buses and taxis soon
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority would consider running public buses and taxis on compressed natural gas if it is made available in the emirate.
"We would be happy to run public transport buses and taxis on [compressed natural gas] CNG because it would be environment friendly and help reduce our operational cost," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said that there are no CNG stations in the emirate at present.
Hussain Sultan, Chief Executive Officer of Enoc Group said the Emirates Gas is working on a plan to introduce CNG for all vehicles.
"Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have already introduced the CNG stations at a limited level and have also converted some vehicles to CNG. We are also working on the plan," he said. However, he did not say when the CNG project for vehicles would be launched.
More from UAE Traffic and Transport
More from UAE
Latest news
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- UAE's first home-grown unmanned aerial vehicle
- Telling stories with sand
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
