Statistics compiled by Marine Agency at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) revealed that 10,884,007 passengers have been lifted in 621,082 trips made by marine transport modes (water bus, motorized abra, and rowing abra) during the period from the first of January to the end of August 2009, reported the official news agency WAM.
Hussain Al Saffar, Director of Operation and Maintenance Department at RTA Marine Agency, said: “The statistics, which cover the first two thirds of the year, reveal that the water bus has lifted 361,524 passengers in 87,470 trips, the motorized abra lifted 10,471,642 passengers in 523,000 trips, and the rowing abra lifted 10,841 passengers in 10,030 trips.” Al Saffar added, “Water bus users peaked in the month of February clocking 50,060 passengers served in 9,968 trips, next comes January which registered a passenger traffic of 48,764 passengers served in 11,036 trips over four operational lines namely: B1 from Sabkha Station to Bur Dubai Station (started in 16 August 2007), B3 from Seef Station to Sabkha Station via Bani Yas Station, B2 from Bani Yas Station to Dubai Old Souk Station (started on 4 October 2007), and the Tourist Line B5 (operated on 14 December 2007 but was rerouted on 16 June 2009) which links Shindagha Station, Bur Dubai Station, Deira Old Souk Station, Seef Station and Creek Park Station.” He stated, “Motorized abra accounts for the largest share of mobility between the two banks of Dubai Creek and the busiest month for this service was March in which 1,481,655 passengers were ferried in 74,083 trips, then comes May in which 1,445,120 passengers were served in 72,256 trips.” “Rowing abra is still engaged in passenger transport and the month of January was the busiest where 1,430 passengers were lifted in 304 trips, followed by August (1,422 passengers in 1,304 trips), and March in which 1,381 passengers were served in 1,241 trips,” said Al Saffar.
“Marine Agency is working on developing marine transit modes to be safe and integrated with other transport modes such as trains, taxi and public buses. The overall aim is to support public transport modes and contribute to easing traffic congestion in Dubai and the neighbouring emirates,” he concluded.
