Water Bus Ferries More than 191k Passengers in 4 Months- RTA

Water Bus Ferries More than 191k Passengers in 4 Months- RTA

Dubai (United Arab Emirates): The Water Bus ferried over 191, 000 passengers in 42,720 trips during the period from the first of January 2009 till the end of February of the same year, revealed Marine Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

“These statistics covers passengers served during the first four months of 2009. Water Bus tickets are offered either in cash or through a prepaid card including a 10% discount. The Agency has recently introduced the e-fare collection system to the Water Bus at a cost of 11 million dirham, and allocated gates for special needs” said Hussain Ali Al Saffar, Director of Operation and Maintenance Dep’t at RTA Marine Agency.

“The number of passengers ferried on board the Water Bus in January clocked 49696 passengers served in 11036 trips, and the number was 49498 passengers in February ferried in 9968 trips, whereas in March it was 45865 passengers ferried in 11036 trips, and in April the number hit 44007 passengers ferried in 10680 trips. The service is offered through four operational lines: B1 from Sabkha Station to Bur Dubai Station (since 16 August 2007), B3 from Seef Station – Bani Yas Station – Sabkha Station, B2 from Bani Yas Station to Dubai Old Souk Station (since 4 October 2007), and the Tourist Line; which was operated on 14 December 2007 providing shuttle service between Shindagha Station and Seef Station.

“RTA Board of Directors, chaired by the Chairman of the Board & Executive Director H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, recently set the new fare for the Water Bus as 4 dirham per round trip (back and forth) during a single day. The Board also endorsed the launch of the new Line B4 (Creek Park – Seef – Bur Dubai).

“The Water Bus project is one of the key projects undertaken by Marine Agency with the aim of upgrading safe marine transit modes integrated with other transit modes such as rail, taxi and buses. As such it adds to the portfolio of public transport modes and contributes to minimizing traffic congestion in the city of Dubai in particular and the neighbouring emirates in general.

“The Agency is focusing on upgrading all marine transit systems through three main points, namely: the first is conducting detailed studies & applied practices necessary for designing, applying, managing, operating and maintaining marine transit systems. This includes establishing lines, services, station locations, maintenance workshops & technological systems, boat types, system management & operation, and supervision of maintenance processes. The second one is licensing of marine transport lines & all types of boats and drivers. The third point is drafting legislations as regards the business of the Agency and submitting them to the Board of Directors, covering aspects such as passenger fares and fees of utilizing all facilities & related installations.