RTA plans new public water transport

Dubai: A ferry service in Dubai Creek is set to provide an alternative mode of public transport to people who want to avoid heavy traffic in the city.

"We are preparing fast to launch [the] first phase of the Dubai Ferry Service in June 2010 as part of our plan to integrate all modes of public transport including buses, metro and marine transport," said Dr Khalid Al Zahed, director of the Marine Transport Department at the RTA's Marine Agency.

The Marine agency is responsible for developing water transport strategies in line with Dubai's plans to encourage more people to use public transport. The agency will spend Dh1.5 billion on different modes of marine transport that will link existing and future residential and commercial developments including offshore projects.

"After successful launch of water buses [in 2007], we are preparing to launch the water taxi by the first quarter of 2010 and the ferry service by June 2010," Al Zahed told Gulf News.

The new service aimed to provide answers to almost 15 per cent Dubai's public transport requirements.

The first phase of the ferry service will entail a spending of Dh178 million while the water taxi service will cost Dh100 million.

The first phase of the ferry service will focus on Dubai Creek and operations will centre around four main stations linked with Metro stations and the public bus service. The ferry stations include the Gold Souk station, Bani Yas station, City Centre station and Al Gubaiba station.

All these stations will be linked to the respective Metro hubs by means of air-conditioned walkways. Bus stops, taxi stands and links to walkways will also be provided.

"[The] ferry service is part of the integrated public transport plan to curb traffic congestion. It will serve the congested central business districts areas of Deira and Bur Dubai in addition to new development along the coast," Al Zahed said.

Do you use public transport? Are you looking forward to the new integrated services? What more could be done to encourage residents to use public transport?

It is very heartening to see so many options for public transport services being offered in Dubai. But the sad part is people staying in Sharjah and working in Dubai will not be able to use these services while going to work. If similar services were offered for travel between Sharjah and Dubai it would definitely ease traffic to a large extent. Travel between Sharjah and Dubai takes too long during peak hours and is quite tiresome. Alternative options like Metro and Ferry would come as a relief.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 14:08

Dear Sir,,Your efforts to ease traffic are well appreciated. Please note that due to increase of number of vehicles on the road on a daily basis the traffic does not seem to ease up. The primary reason in Dubai is that the the roads in Dubai are too narrow. This needs to be looked into and any action to broaden the roads- add an additional lane and remove unwanted barriers, clear all bottlenecks should be of priority on an emergency basis.I wish you and all the team of RTA in achieving those tremendous reults and need to remind that the road ahead is more challenging .Sincere regards,
Mohammed Ashraf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 13:09

Wondering when will RTA start a ferry service from Sharjah to Dubai. It will aid peaople living in Sharjah to have mental peace and enjoy a stressfree sleep at night devoid oftraffic nightmares.
Lindsay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 12:59

Very happy to read this news.
Mohammed Farhan Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 12:40

This is the great news. I think this is going to be very useful for the public. It would reduce a lot of the traffic congestion.
Shehab Al Deen M. K.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 11:45

It would be a dream come true for most of the people if the system would go from Al Khan in Sharjah, to Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Fahim
Dubai,Dubai
Posted: February 01, 2009, 11:45

It is good to have hear this news. However, I want to notice RTA regarding the routes they have currently for buses. Suppose you take a bus that starts from Al Qusais to the Bur Dubai bus station. It goes to Shalauddin Road, Muraqqabat and even rounds certain areas twice. It is a horrible thing if someone wants to go directly from Al Qusais to Bur Dubai. Why should they pass through all these place, which already have other buses and is traffic congested?
Abul Aurs
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 11:28

While it may be lost on our city fathers, by returning to its marine roots Dubai has a real crack at restoring the genuine character of the citystate. In past centuries Dubai was famous for pearls and fishing, and the Creek was a safe haven from storms and pirates. Maybe returning to the waterways will bring similar calm to Dubai in the current storm. Who knew a moldy old Abra might inspire a new generation of thinkers. Well done RTA!
Ronald
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 11:05

They should reduce the cost of crossing the creek. Now, it costs Dh1 and I am crossing the river four times a day. It is very difficult for me to continue.
Enamul Hasan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 10:32

It is nice that the ferry service is going to start soon in Dubai Creek. However, I would like to put a suggestion here. The actual congestion is for people coming from Sharjah to Dubai. It would actually be great to start a ferry service from a few locations in Sharjah to Dubai Creek. I am sure a lot of people would love to avoid the daily traffic congestion, while coming into and going out of Dubai.
Shahid Nazir
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 09:49

I think the transportation system lacks punctuality. Time schedule boards on the stands are not consistent and the services are sometimes skipped. Therefore, a revision is necessary because most public transportation users want to reach their destination on time. Otherwise, the public will try to find alternative ways such as buying their own cars, which causes more traffic congestions.
Talha Nakhuda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 09:16

This is a great idea! I am looking forward to its implementation. I hope they can do it within this year, since it would help the public have access through water of Dubai. It will be much faster, economical and will decongest the commuters in the buses. And I am hoping they will extend the station not only in the following areas, but also from some parts of other emirates.
Alvin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 09:12

Great efforts and news! Integrated and sustainable multi-modal road and marine-based passenger transport systems will solve all of the traffic and transportation problems in Dubai.
K. C. Tiwari
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 08:34

This is a very good move. This can be extended to Jebel Ali. I would be good to start a water transportation facility between Dubai and Sharjah.
Sunil J.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 08:31

The only way to solve traffic congestion in Dubai is to extend public water transportation to Sharjah, as road transport seems to be saturated. An efficient public transport from Sharjah may encourage people to not use their own cars to Dubai, and I think it will reduce the number of cars in the emirate by at least 25 per cent.
Nordine
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 07:33

If the Roads and Transport Authorities aims to reduce the traffic, I think it must offer a more affordable transport system.
Abdul Vahab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 07:31

The more convenient way should be to start a ferry service between Sharjah and Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, Ajman and Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This will minimise the road traffic congestion. Also, commuting through ferry will save more time in travelling from one place to another place.
V. Kothandaraman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: February 01, 2009, 06:50