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Ten water taxis to ply on Dubai Creek

DUBAI - Ten water taxis will be operational on the Creek by early next year and play a vital role in marine transport in Dubai, said an official from the Marine Agency in the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently.

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Up to 10 ferries will also be pressed into service to ferry passengers across the Dubai Creek by 2010, Khalid Al Zahid, Director of the Marine Projects Department in the Marine Agency told Khaleej Times.

'These two projects aim to reduce traffic congestion on the roads. The marine transport facilities will ensure that a commuter takes lesser time to reach his destination than travelling in a car. Moreover, we aim at an integrated public transport system in the emirate,' he said. The Marine Agency had launched the waterbus service last year in August on four routes. Later, a night route was added.

Earlier, the officials of the Marine Agency had said the ferries will be introduced in two phases. In the first phase, the ferry, with a seating capacity of around 120 would be operating from four stations - Gold Souq, Union Square, Al Gubaiba and City Centre. In the second phase, the ferries will take passengers to and from the upcoming islands like the Palms and Maritime City. Ferries with a seating capacity of around 250 will also be introduced later.

The Marine Agency has also approved the design of the water taxis which are set to operate from next year. These taxis would be available on an 'on call' basis.

According to the RTA Marine Strategic Plan 2020, the ferry service has been planned to provide passengers with the facility to reach the areas along the creek and the coastline without getting stuck in traffic snarls. The service will provide a public transport link between the Central Business Districts (Deira and Bur Dubai) with newly developed areas like the Palms and Business Bay.

joy@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE