UAE | Traffic and Transport

Ferry service will provide a smooth commute

The planned ferry service will provide a smooth commute along Dubai Creek, Dubai coastline and between Dubai and Sharjah as part of the RTA's Marine Strategic Transport Plan 2020.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:38 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • A modern ferry service will replace traditional abras to transport passengers across the Dubai Creek.
  • Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Image 1 of 5
12345

Dubai: Getting around Dubai is about to become smooth sailing and car keys could be a thing of the past when Dubai's modern water transport system, projected to be completed by 2020, is operational.

Click here to view water ways project map (pdf)

Congested highways will get a breather thanks to a fleet of ferries. Air conditioned boats travelling up and down the creek for 18 hours a day on new water routes will link up with Dubai Metro and public buses making traffic jams a thing of the past.

The planned ferry service will provide a smooth commute along Dubai Creek, Dubai coastline and between Dubai and Sharjah as part of the RTA's Marine Strategic Transport Plan 2020. The service is scheduled to start in 2009.

"The ferry service has been planned to provide passengers with the facility to travel along the creek and the expanding coastline without getting stuck in traffic jams," said Engineer Eisa Al Dossary, Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Agency at the RTA.

He said the service will provide a vital public transport link between heavily populated Central Business Districts (CBDs) in areas of Deira and Bur Dubai with new developments such as Business Bay, Palm Deira, Palm Jumeira, Al Sufouh, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Water Front.

Route F-1 Planned for 2009, it will connect Dubai Gold Souq to Deira City Centre and will serve four stations including Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and Baniyas in Deira, and Deira City Centre to Dubai Festival City. "With the extension of Dubai Creek through Business Bay, Shaikh Zayed Road, Safa Park and Jumeirah back to the Arabian Gulf, the service will be extended in later stages up to the Arabian Gulf," Al Dossary said.

Route F-2 Planned for 2010, it will start at Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai Creek and end at Dubai Maritime City next to Port Rashid.

Route F-3 Planned for between 2010 and 2020, it will connect Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai Creek to serve passengers en-route to offshore developments including Palm Deira, The World, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Jumeira, Al Sufouh and Jebel Ali.

Route F-4 Planned for between 2011 and 2015, it is being launched to serve tourists. The service will set off from Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai Creek and will run along the coastline to Jumeirah, Umm Suqueim and Sufouh areas.

Route F-5 Planned for 2012 to 2019, it will connect Dubai and Sharjah. The service will start from Al Ghubaiba Station on Dubai Creek and end at Khalid Lagoon in Al Majaz, Sharjah. The route is still not finalised but the service has been planned.

Reactions

Sardar Javed Yaqoob, Pakistan
Real Estate Consultant

"The water transport will further give a boost to Dubai's real estate sector. It will make commuting easy. Currently, people are facing problems commuting because of traffic congestion but I think water transport along with Dubai Metro and an effective public bus service will make the difference. Also, it will be a major attraction for tourists."

Michael Muller, South Africa
School Principal

"Anything that can help alleviate traffic congestion is good for Dubai. I think public water transport will be helpful in reducing traffic on roads and at the same time provide an alternate mode of transportation. I would definitely use it if I have to go to areas it serves but it should be reasonably priced and affordable."

Anupama Gupta, India
Public Relations Director

"The water transport system will provide an alternative mode of water transport for residents and tourists. The development of the water transport system and Dubai Metro will be part of the many crucial factors that will ensure that Dubai lives up to its reputation of being a world-class destination."

Sabra Saleh, Tanzania
Public Relations Manager

"We still have to see how the public transport system will work. If it is convenient and will help save travel time, I will be amongst those using this system. But it should be integrated with other modes of transport such as public buses or the upcoming Dubai Metro. The RTA should also build car parking facilities near water transport stations to encourage people to use the alternative mode of transport".


Your comments


I thought the metro line was going either over or under the creek? I would have thought that it would be a lot cheaper and more convenient for everyone so they would not have to get off. Besides, the ferries ruin business for the local "water taxi dudes" who don't earn enough as it is.
Paul
Sharjah,UAE

The Public Transport, if it was properly operated, there would had been lesser traffic problems. The bus service is horrible, no timings, they do not stop if they are even empty or full, cannot rely on them, you have to stand 2 hours. Taxis, the meters run fast, unlike in Abu Dhabi.
Malcolm
Dubai,UAE

Excellent work. I request the RTA to pace up work on the Dubai Metro and ferry services so that traffic congestion will be reduced.
Nayaz
Dubai,UAE

The RTA must give top priority to projects involving Sharjah and Ajman so that traffic flow to Dubai can be reduced.
Rengith
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

Related Articles

  1. Water bus service by July-end

    Water bus service by July-end

    Water bus service by July-end

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