Water buses see 58% increase in passengers

Dubai: The number of passengers using water buses to cross the Dubai Creek increased by 58 per cent during the last three months, an offficial said.

Mohammad Obaid Al Mulla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Marine Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the increase in passengers is an ideal indicator of the mass mode of transport.

"The number of commuters reached 3,486 passengers in August, and rose to 5,357 in September. The number of passengers continued to rise to 12,084 in October, a growth rate of 58 per cent. This ratio reflects the increasing success and the trend to use mass transit," added Al Mulla.

He said the water bus service is provided on four operational lines; B1 Line from Sabkha Station to Bur Dubai Station, which has been operational since last August 16; B3 Line from Sabkha Station to Seef Station, operational since September 5; B2 Line from Bani Yas Station to the Old Souq Station, which was launched on October 4, and the fourth line is B4 Line from Bani Yas Station to Seef Station, operational since October 7. Fares are paid in cash or through prepaid cards offering a 10 per cent discount.

Al Mulla said that the water bus is one of the key projects run by the Marine Agency aiming at developing marine transport systems that are safe to use and integrated with other modes of transport.