The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), yesterday announced that there will be four operating routes between the two sides of the creek. A one-way trip across the creek will cost Dh4 which is a temporary price, while the final price awaits approval by the Executive Council in the coming days.
Engineer Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Dossary, CEO of Marine Agency, said initially, 10 water buses, manufactured locally, will serve four routes and five stations along the creek.
Daily tickets
He also announced that payment for the water bus will be done through daily tickets issued automatically through prepaid smart cards or through instant cash payment.
“The bus will operate through four commuter service routes and one tourist service route. The tourist service route will be from Al Shindagha station to Al Seef station and costs Dh25 for each person and the trip is 25 minutes long,” Al Dossary said.
The commuter services are from Al Seef station to Bani Yas station, Al Sabkha station to Bur Dubai station, Old Dubai Souq station to Al Seef station and Old Souq station to Bani Yas station. The water bus will run daily from 6am to 11pm.
The overall cost of the water bus project is around Dh10 million; one bus costs Dh800,000 and can carry 35 passengers at a time. The RTA signed an agreement with the Singaporean Penguin Co. to operate and maintain the water bus at a cost of Dh8.9 million for two years.
The contract covers several aspects, at the top of which is the operation of the water bus in a regular manner. The contract also includes arranging for periodical corrective and preventative maintenance, ensuring the safety of the water buses, minimising the occurrence of accidents involving the water bus and attending to all matters that may jeopardise the safety of the water bus.
Information: Water buses to have air-conditioning
Ten water buses will be operational on July 15. Each bus is 12 metres long, 4.2 metres wide and weighs 8 tonnes.
Each bus has two engines operating on diesel.
The buses are made from aluminium and each bus has two hulls.
The buses are air-conditioned, have LCD screens, comfortable seating and usability by people with special needs.
