UAE | Traffic and Transport
An alternative way of commuting
A public water transport system in Dubai will soon offer an alternative way of commuting to, from and within the emirate.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 June 10, 2007
- Image Credit:
- Eisa Al Dossary says Dubai will soon get a water bus service besides a ferry link with Sharjah.
Dubai: A public water transport system in Dubai will soon offer an alternative way of commuting to, from and within the emirate.
Click here to view water ways project map (pdf)
It could all be smooth sailing soon for residents who currently face the burgeoning traffic congestion due to massive developments and an increasing number of cars on the roads.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised plans to create a water transport system to serve the existing and upcoming on and off-shore residential and commercial developments.
"RTA will spend Dh1.5 billion to launch 210 kilometres of water transport routes as part of its Marine Transport Strategic Plan by 2020," said Engineer Eisa Al Dossary, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Marine Agency at RTA.
Dubai's coastline has increased from 70km to 360km due to new off-shore developments such as Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, The World, Business Bay and Dubai Water Front.
Serving rising population
"The Marine Transport Strategic Plan extends up to 2020 and caters well for the overall outlook and the forecast increase of Dubai's population from the existing 1.4 million to 5.3 million people," Al Dossary told Gulf News.
The water transport system will serve the congested Central Business Districts areas of Deira and Bur Dubai in addition to new developments along the coast and new water channels.
According to RTA studies, around 62 million people are expected to use the public water transport every year by 2020. "Dubai's public water transport is unique in the Middle East and the UAE is the first country to introduce water buses for commuter service," Al Dossary said.
The marine strategic plan includes four major projects - a water bus service, a ferry service in Dubai creek and the service along Dubai's coastline in addition to a ferry service between Dubai and Sharjah.
"The first phase will start with the launch of a water bus service in Dubai creek in July," said Al Dossary.
A ferry service will be launched in the second phase along Dubai creek followed by at least four or more phases to serve communities along the Dubai coastline, as well as between Sharjah and Dubai, all by 2020.
Al Dossary said the water transport stations will be interlinked with Dubai Metro and bus stations. "Passengers will be able to switch between different modes of transport within two to 10 minutes," he said.
Water transport stations will be built on the pattern of Metro stations with air-conditioned waiting areas, ticketing counters and machines. They will have wireless internet facilities and fast food centres.
Al Ghubaiba station in Bur Dubai will be the main station interlinking all the water transport routes.
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