RTA inaugurates Water Taxi

Al Tayer: "Fare ranges between AED50 to AED570 for regular trips and AED400 per hour for tourist journey"

Serves 18 stations on Dubai Creek and tourist spots

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA announced the operation of five "Water Taxis" as of today Wednesday. The service will be provided on demand from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm by calling toll free number 8009090, and waiting at the station agreed to ride on board the Water Taxi. As for the alighting process, it will be at the discretion of the rider at any locations of the Water Taxi stations. The Water Taxi can be also rented for sightseeing purposes at Dubai Creek and tourist spots.

"The Water Taxi faring depends on the length and type of trip, as the tourist trip fares at AED 400 per hour for one Water Taxi. While the regular journey ranges between the AED 50 to the nearest stations namely the Dubai Creek Park (A, B), the fare will be up to AED570 for the trip between the two farthest stations namely the stations of Dubai Festival City and the Jebel Ali Hotel and Spa for Boating and Yachting," said Al Tayer.

"The Water taxi service covers 18 locations on the Dubai Creek and tourist spots of the Emirate that are linked with the hotels, marine clubs and tourist locations including the stations of Al Mamzar, Deira Old Souq, Al Sabkha, Bani Yas, Dubai Festival City, Al Shindagha, Bur Dubai, Al Fheidi, Al Seef, Dubai Creek Park (A,B), Al Boom Tourist Village, Open Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Park, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Hotel and Spa, Atlantis Hotel, pointing out that the number of locations would increase by adding new ones in the next period such as Meridian Mina Seyahi Hotel and Royal Mirage Hotel," he added.

Al Tayer further explained that the Water Taxi is characterized by its sleek design, which combines the traditional form with the modernity represented by the ceiling that is derived from the design of the Dubai Metro stations, and benefit from the latest technology in this area. It is made from carbon fibers, which are characterized by their strength and light weight. The Water Taxi is also characterized by its structure of "Catamaran Low Wash", and a sleek ceiling; central air conditioning and comfortable seats that look like the Business Class seats in aircraft and are equipped with LCD screens on the backside of the seats with the capability of reversing the seat up to 45 degrees as well as a special table. The Water Taxi can seat 11 passengers in addition to the commander, pointing out that taken into account on designing the Water Taxi the requirements fulfillment of persons with special needs, where 20% of the seats has been dedicated for this category; the seats are foldable to provide sufficient space to facilitate entry and exit of the wheelchair smoothly without any obstruction in addition to stability safely in the cabin.

He said that the Water Taxi is 11 meters long and 4 meters wide, while their weight is 9 tons and its speed is up to 35 knots. It is characterized by two eco-friendly engines at 270 horsepower. Its also equipped with the best navigational devices approved by the (IMO), not to mention the application of the world's highest safety criteria (SOLAS).

Al Tayer further stated that the Water Taxi project comes within the overall study and strategic plan stipulated by the RTA to develop the marine transport systems in Dubai so as to meet the needs and wishes of large social cross-sections and cover up new areas, pointing out that the number of marine transport commuters including the Abras and Water Bus, reached last year around 17 millions, as the Abras transit on daily basis around 50 thousand commuters and the Water Bus transits on daily basis around 1500 commuters.