Dh30m water taxi service to ride the waves next year

Dubai: A water taxi service is being launched in Dubai early next year to provide an alternative mode of transport to beat traffic congestion, said a senior official.

At least 10 water taxis at a cost of Dh30 million will be operational on Dubai Creek as part of a plan by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority's Marine Agency to develop a comprehensive water public transport system in the emirate.

"Residents and tourists will be able to book the water taxis over the phone just like the normal taxis and will have to wait for it at the agreed boarding station," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority ( RTA.)

The Marine Agency is spending more than Dh1.2 billion on water transport projects. Apart from the existing abra service, it launched a water bus service in the creek in September last year.

Regarding the floating bridge hindering the movement of boats and abras Al Tayer said the floating bridge would be demolished within five years and be replaced by another permanent bridge.

"Until then we will operate water taxis on both sides of the bridge," he added.

Obaid Al Mullah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Marine Agency said that the water transport plan would be implemented in several phases. Khalid Al Zahed, Director of the Marine Projects said that the next phase is a ferry service which will start at the end of next year.

The water taxi will have 11 seats including two for people with special needs. It will have a dual-base catamaran low wash, a smooth ceiling and a central air-conditioning system. It has seats similar to business class seats on aircrafts with a remote-controlled LCD monitor fitted on the back of each seat, along with a food table.

The water taxi measures about 11 metres in length, and four metres in width. It weighs nine tonnes and runs at a speed up to 35 knots per hour.