UAE | Traffic and Transport

Abras to become more eco-friendly

Traditional water taxis called abras in Dubai will go environment-friendly, as the authorities are considering running them either on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or solar energy.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 September 7, 2006
  • Gulf News

  • There are some 149 abras, which operate on three routes in the Dubai Creek.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: Traditional water taxis called abras in Dubai will go environment-friendly, as the authorities are considering running them either on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or solar energy.

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.

"We are considering running abras either by using solar energy or CNG, but it is still under study," said Ahmad Al Hammadi, Assistant Director of Inland Water Transport Department at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

He told Gulf News that the traditional shape of abras would not be changed because it is part of Dubai's culture and heritage.

He said there are some 149 abras, which operate on three routes in Dubai Creek. They are owned by UAE nationals and are operated in two shifts by 300 operators from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran.

Al Hammadi said around 20 million passengers used abras last year to cross the creek between Bur Dubai and Deira.

He said there has been a sharp increase in abra users during the last one decade. A total of 10,620,924 passengers used abras in the first half of this year and the number of passengers is expected to increase to 21.2 million by the end of the year.

The abras operate through three lines. The first line connects the Old Souq Station with Bur Dubai Station; the second line connects Al Sabkha Station with Old Souq Station while the third connects Baniyas Station with Al Seef Station.

All abras operate from 5:30am till 11:30pm and 10 abras are run round-the-clock connecting Al Sabkha Station with Old Souq Station.

Fare increase in the offing

Passengers using abras will have to pay double the existing fare once the Roads and Transport Authority approves the demand for a fare increase from abra operators.

"We are planning to increase abra fares from 50 fils to Dh1 but it still has to be approved by the authority," said Eisa Al Dossari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Marine Agency at the RTA. The fare has been fixed at 50 fils for more than 20 years.

Al Dossari said the RTA will also introduce smart cards for the convenience of abra passengers. "These smart cards will be integrated with the bus and parking system in 2008 and with the Dubai Metro System in 2009," he said.

He explained that holders of smart cards will be able to use these for every mode of transportation and also for paid parking in Dubai.

The cards will be issued on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis but the price value has not been determined yet.

Meanwhile, the Marine Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday signed an agreement with Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) for testing abras and to ensure that they meet specified global standards and conditions on engine exhausts.

Enoc will conduct tests of the engines and overall condition of all 149 abras in Dubai Creek, annually, during the renewal of their licences to maintain and ensure the safety of abras. The RTA will supervise this testing to ensure that the approved global standards on pollution and safety are met.

The company will use modern equipment to ensure technical testing and the emission levels of gases like nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons are kept under check.

Besides conducting tests on safety, Enoc will also keep a check on fire extinguishers and the provision of a maximum of five life saving floats.


Your comments


There are many ways to make money but not at the cost of the poor people. What little bit they make is not enough to survive.
David
Al Ain,UAE

I think that fares should remain the same. People are using this means of travelling to save money. If the fare is increased, then everyone would prefer to cross the creek by road. Only tourists will remain to use abras.
Syed
Multan,Pakistan

The increase in charges are acceptable to anyone who uses abras to save time. But for saving our lives, the boats must hold a maximun number of life jackets according to the passenger capacity.
Harish
Dubai,UAE

This is a 100% increase! Shame on the one who decided such a thing. I hope the authorities of Dubai will cancel this unfair decision that is affecting mainly poor people. For those who are complaining about the noise and pollution, why not built brand new abra powered by electrical engines?
Pierre
Boulogne,France

Abras are used mostly by low income people. It eould be good to keep the 50 Fils fare, since it has not changed in the last 20 years. It's very good to go eco-friendly. Also the all in one smart card is a wise idea, from Parking -Dubai metro-Dubai bus to Abras.
Nasar
Dubai,UAE

With all due respect, I understand why people would want to keep the fare at 50 fils. But nowadays nothing costs less than 1dh. We all have to move on with time. I think, after 20 years it is time for these people to make money and make a basic living in Dubai. When Housing can make money four to five time more than what they should. Abra people have every right to make money.
Sulaiman
San Francisco,USA

I think the abra fares should remain the same because the fact is most of the people come to abra by walking from their accomodation with the intention that they will save money. If the authority is going to increase the fare then it would be better to go by bus.
Rashida
Ajman,India

It will be good if the workers also get the increase in their wages according to the increase in abra ticket fares. Otherwise incresing the fare is of no meaning. Already other parts of society suffers due to rent increases of more than 100% in just 2 years without increase of salaries to that level.
Pradip
Dubai,UAE

It is good to hear that the RTA are keen to improve the transportation system in the UAE. The smart cards really are something to look forward to, and increasing the price to 1DH may decrease passengers as the majority are labourers who really cant afford to spend a little bit more for their transportation.
Aimen
Sharjah,UAE

If we have to pay a little bit to live in a healthy enviroment and get better facilities then this is a good plan. Go ahead.
Avinash
Dubai,UAE

Please don't increase the fare. This is the only cheap thing in Dubai. A lot of poor people use the abras because they are cheap.
Mai
Dubai,UAE

People sitting in offices may think that a 50 fils rise is no big deal. But for the average person, this means he'll be spending twice the amount for using the abra. The authorities need to consider this.
Qureshi
Sharjah,UAE

Well almost everything in Dubai has been increased.
Hasan
Dubai,UAE

Increasing the fare for abra is not a good idea. It will affect low income people badly. Compare for the bus minimum is 1.50 dhs which more convenient, air conditioned and comfortable unlike abras.
Khale
Dubai,UAE

Being a construction dominated country we can think of connecting these two sides by putting a light weight bridge for pedestrians. They can collect 25 fils at the gate of entry and within a year it will payback the amount spent. This is very safe and environmentally friendly.
Maraimalai
Dubai,UAE

Prices for everything else is increasing, so why not abra fares? If a better and more convenient service is introduced then what's wrong with increasing the fare? What should be decreased is the rent of houses so that a normal citizen can survive.
Sirajuddin
Dubai,UAE

I think that employees who travel three to four times a day will suffer if fares are increased. Abras are also historical symbols of Dubai and not an earning source.
Mustafa
Sharjah,UAE

Of course as everything goes high, the fare of abra also should go high. Finally the pocket will go dry
Abdul Jaleel
Dubai,UAE

Please don't increase the charge from 50 fils to Dh1. It will be affect more poor people.
Nizam
Dubai,UAE

You are aware that the people who are running the abras are very poor. They come here from their own home country to earn money. If that is taken then what they will do? The price should be increased so that they can get a good salary. The work very hard in the heat and in an open area and heat of the engine.
Taher
Dubai,UAE

I think its the best idea to protect our enviornment. Abras give out lot of noise and diesel pollution but we weren't aware that Dubai has such a unique picture and programmes to protect the enviornment. It's great, Dubai people are great.
Shaik
Dubai,UAE

The fare has been fixed at 50 fils for more than 20 years. This is incorrect. When I came to UAE During 1993, the fare was only 25 fils.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE

It is a good thought by the authorities to make the changes in abra transport. Of course, the increase in fare is their right.
Suhail
Dubai,UAE

Don't increase the abra fare because it is part of culture.
Abdu
Dubai,UAE

I am a resident of Bur Dubai, and doing job near Al Sabkha abra station. I use an abra four times a day which costs me Dh2 per day. If the authority increases fare there will be an effect for me and thousands of other individuals who are working there.
Hussain
Dubai,UAE

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from UAE Traffic and Transport

  1. Five months later, same driver, same queue

  2. Metro has carried nearly 3m people

  3. Road work delay jams Deira

  4. Queue and me against the world

All articles in Traffic & Transport

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Readers' pictures
Your pictures

Readers' pictures

The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather