Video: New marine stations to float Dubai riders' boat in 2018

Dubai - 13.8 million riders used Dubai's marine transport in 2017.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Agency has announced its plan to open two new marine transport stations this year raising the total number of marine transport stations to 52.  
Eng. Mansoor Rahma Juma Al Falasi, Director, Marine Transport Department said, "The first station called the Al Habtoor City station will be built in the first quarter of 2018. We have a lot of hotels over in that area. As for the other station we are still studying the possibility and feasibility. It could be inside the Dubai Creek. We could also have it outside the Creek, maybe in the Marina side. Hopefully it will open before the fourth quarter of 2018."  

The two new stations are expected to look like most other stations with a kiosk that would serve customers and a small shaded area. The stations would also have the details, billboards and other necessary infrastructure for the riders. To begin with, the stations will have the ferry and water taxi services.  
"The RTA is also studying to build a new electric vessel in 2018. It could be solar-powered," added Al Falasi.  
13.8 million riders used Dubai's marine transport in 2017. 13.1 million or 95 per cent of Dubai's total marine transport users were Abra riders. Popular among both tourists and residents, Abras are the oldest and the cheapest mode of transport in Dubai.   
The RTA currently operates 48 vessels. The list includes 9 ferries, 10 water taxis, 6 open Abras, 6 AC Abras and 17 electric Abras. 148 Abras that are operated on Dubai Creek are privately owned.  
Al Falasi added: "We expect more marine transport riders in 2018 because of the upcoming developments along the Dubai Canal and other waterfront areas. We plan to have more than 70 marine transport stations by 2020. But these numbers are revised every year depending on the requirement and feasibility." 
nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com  

• Dubai