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Dh30 million project to float 10 water taxis

Officials in the RTA said the new service would cater to the travel needs of the people who, in the near future, would be residing in the various residential islands coming up in the emirate.

‘Damen’, a Holland-based company, has developed the design of the taxis.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said water taxi project is part of the comprehensive study and strategic plan of Marine Agency to develop marine transport in Dubai.

“The Plan will be implemented in several phases according to a specific time frame. It envisages phased out operation of the Creek lines and the coastal line extending along Jumeirah beaches, which serve tourists in the emirate. The plan also includes the line linking the central part of the city with Nakheel projects (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Deira, and The World),” he added.

The taxis would be available on an “on call” basis. “The service will be available through telephone booking and passengers will have to wait at the agreed boarding station of the Water Taxi. Disembarkation will be upon request at any of the Water Taxi stations. The Water Taxi would also be available for tours across Dubai Creek,” Al Tayer added.

The fares and the number of stations of these taxis have not been decided as yet, the officials added. “We would be announcing them soon. These taxis would be using the existing stations at the Creek along with the new ones,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer clarified that the Floating Bridge will not have any effects on the transportation. “The Floating Bridge is a temporary arrangement for five years. A permanent bridge will replace it. And moreover, we could also have two sets of water taxis, one group operating within the Creek area and another outside it,” he pointed out.

• UAE