Dh1.8 billion to develop a water transport network

Dubai: Dubai is spending Dh1.8 billion to develop a water transport network covering 210 kilometres of coastline as part of its Marine Transport Strategic Plan 2020.

"Dubai, which originally had only 79 kilometres of coastline and 12 kilometres of Dubai Creek, now has around 1,000 kilometres of water frontage with the development of new projects on the coast and offshore," said Engineer Khalid Al Zahid, Director of Maritime Projects at the Marine Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Al Zahid said the water transport is being developed as an alternative mode of commuting in the emirate and it will be integrated into the public transport buses and Dubai Metro systems.

"The plan is to serve the existing and upcoming residential and commercial developments in the emirate with the modern water transport system," he said.

The Marine Agency launched a waterbus service in July to meet the transport needs of the public along the Dubai Creek.

"We will launch six ferries on the Dubai Creek next year followed by more services to new areas and even to neighbouring emirates," he said.

"Some 57 ferries, water buses and water taxis will be operated along 210 km of coast to cover coastal and offshore developments."