RTA turns the tide on clogged Dubai roads

Staff Report (Gulf News)
Published: August 03, 2008, 23:35
Dubai: Residents and tourists in the emirate will soon be able to swap the congested roads for a leisurely trip in a water taxi from at least 20 stations along the coastline and Dubai Creek. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will launch the water taxis in the middle of next year as part of its project to offer alternative modes of transport. The service will be available on demand through phone booking, and passengers need to wait at an agreed station to board the water taxi. The fares and dedicated telephone number for booking will be announced later.
"Some 20 locations have been approved as Water Taxi stations during the initial phase of the project, which will contribute to alleviating traffic congestion in Dubai," said Khalid Al Zahed, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RTA's Marine Agency. He said the project will be crucial following the completion of giant maritime projects such as the Palm Deira, the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali, and The World. He added that work on designing a model water taxi station has already begun.
Water taxis will be available at Bur Dubai Station, Dubai Old Souq Station, Old Deira Souq Station, Al Sabkha Station, Bani Yas Station, Al Seef Station, the Floating Bridge Station, the Golf Club Station, Park Hyatt Hotel Station, and Dubai Festival City Station. They will also be available at Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Al Habtour Hotel, Grand and Royal Meridian Hotel, Jumeirah Hilton, and Jumeirah Sheraton stations.
Al Zahed said the project will be launched with ten boats costing Dh30 million. The taxi service will travel along Dubai Creek and the Jumeirah coast, and there will be a line linking downtown Dubai with the Palm projects (Jumeirah, Deira and Jebel Ali) and The World. "The taxi service, which will be implemented in phases, is being launched to meet the transport needs of new and old communities," he added.

Modern boats: Making waves
The boats that are being introduced as water taxis, measure 10.8 metres in length and 4.1 metres in width. They can reach a speed of up to 35 knots and can run in waves rising up to 0.5 metre. Each boat can accommodate 11 passengers in addition to the driver, and 20% of the seats will be retractable to allow room for the movement of wheel chairs of special-needs people.
Each boat has twin environmentally friendly diesel engines of 370 hp fitted with a water jet propulsion, and the interior will be air-conditioned. All seats will be fitted with life jackets and LCD monitors for entertainment.