Waterbuses likely to operate from August

Waterbuses likely to operate from August
By a staff reporter / Khaleej Times

DUBAI — The waterbus service, officially launched on Sunday, will be open to commuters only by next month, it was learnt.

A senior official of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) yesterday confirmed the delay of the waterbus service on the Dubai Creek, saying it was due to technical reasons.

Khalid Al Zahed, director of Maritime Projects Department at the RTA, said the waterbuses were currently being tested and would be allowed to ply in the creek only after a foolproof check.

“The waterbuses will be plying along the Dubai Creek from next month. At present we are in the process of carrying out checks and re-checks to ensure their safe run,” he said.

The official added: “Safety of the commuters is RTA’s top priority. We want to first make sure that these buses are risk-free.”

Zahed added that a total number of 12 buses would be operating in the Creek on five different routes.

Meanwhile, staff at waterbus station at Al Seef said several people were coming every day to enquire about the waterbuses.

While the daily commuters will have to pay Dh4 for a trip, tourists will be charged Dh25 for a 45-minute tour.

There will be five lines for these waterbuses, including one for tourists which will start from the Shindaga station and go up to the Al Seef station. For the daily commuters, there are four lines - from Al Seef station to Baniyas station, from Sabkha station to Bur Dubai station, Old Souk station to Al Seef station and Old Souk station to Baniyas station. Commuters can also buy prepaid cards for the waterbuses, according to Eng. Eisa Abdul Rehman Al Dosari, CEO of the Marine Agency at the RTA.