Dubai: Ferries plying along Dubai Creek will soon provide an alternative mode of transport that will also help address the issue of traffic congestion on the city's roads.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has endorsed the Ferry Dubai concept and the project will have an outlay of Dh178 million. Each ferry will be capable of carrying 100 passengers.
Part of strategic plan
"This project is part of the master study and the strategic plan developed by the RTA [Roads and Transport Authority] to upgrade marine transport in the emirate," Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the RTA, said during a press conference held yesterday to unveil the project.
Al Tayer said the project aims to meet aspirations and requirements of a new segment of the community and cover hitherto untapped areas in marine transport.
The problem of traffic congestion would be sorted out in one to two years, he said, adding that various initiatives of the RTA had started bringing about a visible improvement in the traffic situation. "[The] Traffic situation will improve further once federal legislations are approved in about a year's time," Al Tayer said.
Al Tayer said no decision had been taken as to the cost of the ferry trips since it involved the executive council of the government.
"The cost will be reasonable as we aim to encourage the public to use this transportation method," he said.
The first phase of the project will see the RTA operating 10 ferries covering four main stations at the Gold Souk, Union Square, City Centre and Al Ghubaiba.
The second phase will see ferry services being launched in Dubai Creek extensions once the new bridges are in place. Subsequent phases of the project will see the service providing a link with Dubai Maritime City, the emirate of Sharjah, The Palm islands, The World and The Waterfront.
The project, which is looking at a June 2010 completion date, is expected to ferry around 3 million passengers in the first year.
"Ferry Dubai is the third project envisaged in the strategic plan of the RTA following the [introduction of] water bus and water taxi [services] in addition to renovation of abras. It aims to raise the level of marine transit services rendered by the RTA and thus keep pace with the rapid growth witnessed by Dubai," Al Tayer said.
Six of the 10 ferries slated to launch the service will be ready by October 2009 and the other four will be ready by March 2010.
Would you like to travel to work using a ferry? Why? How can more people be encouraged to use the new service? Tell us if this would help ease the problem of traffic congestions.
Your comments
I think this is a wonderful initiative, but the RTA should also provide the option for the ferry to move cars as well. This would reduce fuel consumption and provide an alternate route for people to cross the creek.
Behin
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 11:09
RTA's claim that its initiatives has reduced the traffic is not true.Even after introducing Toll Sheikh Zayed Road is more jampacked in the morning and evening as comapred to the period before toll system.The authorities should not hide the facts.
Babu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 09:50
Why dont RTA start long route ferry service linking Ajman,Sharjah,Dubai,Deira,Jebel Ali which will reduce the traffic considerably throughout the roads.UAE is one of the countries not utilising effectively the water transport system.
Suresh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 09:44
We need this service to start very soon if possible, now traffic congestion is very bad these days. It is a nightmare to go out of your home or office.
Aslam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 08:59
The traffic on Dubai roads are mainly made-up of traffic from Sharjah. As observed, people especially the working class live mostly in Sharjah
Chandy
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 08:47
At last, no traffic to reach the office. I would definitely consider taking it where I can view the nature and reach office with a clear head. Even if I have to use a bus to reach the ferry station I would not mind rather being stuck in the traffic for hours.
Vinita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 08:09
Yes I would love to travel using a ferry sevice from Sharjah to dubai, first the traffic between sharjah and dubai will be less, we can reach our office and home in time. second people don't have to waste there fours hours in travelling. third we can give more time to our family if this start as soon as possible.
Hemanto
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 07:55
There should be introduction of water taxi and water bus between dubai and Abu Dhabi so that tourists and visitors can also enjoy the short sea travel / journey.
This will not only add to the attrections for tourists but also become an alternative means of transport
javed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 07:18
The newly conceptualized approved Ferry service is a good initiative from the RTA towards reducing the current traffic congestion all around the emirate. How ever, the most important matter is the feasibility. Feasibility not of the authority, but of the users. How feasible is it to travel through ferry? Is there connectivity with other modes of transport? Does it take more or less time than the current transport mode? Does it cost more? All these are that matters to the users.
Praveen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 14, 2008, 06:46
