Call a water taxi and beat the rush on roads

Dubai: Commuters will soon be able to hail high speed water taxis to beat road traffic, a senior official said.

"It is a unique project and has been designed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) as part of its comprehensive public water transport project," said Eisa Al Dosari, Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Agency at the RTA.

He said the water taxi will run at a maximum speed of 30 knots and will be available for hire on the Dubai Creek along water transport routes.

Passengers will be able to book a water taxi by calling a telephone number just as they book normal taxis.

The telephone number, fare, number of water taxis and the launch date will be announced soon.

Passengers will wait at certain points and the high-speed power boat will come to pick them up within a stipulated time.

The taxi will be able to accommodate up to seven people.