The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the operation of five modern abras featuring a heritage-inspired design emulating the shape of traditional abras shuttling in Dubai Creek. These new abras are being deployed on four lines linking five stations: Baniyas, Al Sabkha, Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Old Souk, and Al Fahidi station which is an alternative station for Al Seef station which has been closed temporarily to give way for works undertaken by Meraas Company in the surrounding area. Three lines now link Baniyas station with Al Fahidi, Dubai Old Souk and Al Sabkha stations, and the fourth line links Dubai Old Souk station with Al Ghubaiba station.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: “Operating the new abras is part of RTA’s master plan for upgrading the marine transport in the Emirate of Dubai as it is considered a vital transit mode used by 13 million riders per annum. The plan envisages the construction of 12 new marine transport stations at the Business Bay Canal and the Dubai Water Canal by 2018. Thus the number of marine transport stations in Dubai Creek as well as the Business Bay Canal and Dubai Water Canals will rise to 18 stations. The plan also includes the operation of the Dubai Creek lines, the coastal line along Jumeirah beaches, and lines to serve new islands, in addition to lines in the Business Bay Canal and the Dubai Water Canal.

“The design & manufacturing of these new traditional abras focused on preserving the traditional shape of abras plying the Dubai Creek, adopting the highest standards of security & safety of riders, and conserving the environment through using high-octane petrol which generates low carbon emissions. The new abras are characterized by light weight and speed exceeding three times the speed of their traditional counterparts, yet maintaining high balance on the waves coupled with zero noise level. These abras are fitted with convenient & safe seats, and sheds for protecting riders from sunlight. The location of the driver is switched in the new abras to the front side, thus offering the driver clearer view. Over the next five years the RTA is set to beef-up the number of traditional abras in service to 50 abras in 2017, 100 abras in 2019, and up to 150 abras by 2020,” continued Al Tayer.

“The marine transport sector is poised to witness a quantum shift in the number and means of transit modes as well as stations & riders with the completion of the link of the Business Bay Canal and the Dubai Water Canal with the Arabian Gulf beach. Marine transit modes are expected to be the favourite choice of many citizens, residents and tourists in moving around to enjoy the picturesque view of the iconic tourist and urban facilities. The RTA has recently completed the construction of the Marina Station and is working on Al Jadaf Station; which is one of the key marine transit stations in Dubai Creek. This station can boost the integration of mass transit means by linking the Dubai Ferry service (Dubai Festival City-Al Jadaf line) with the public bus service, and the Creek Metro Station. The RTA is also constructing a station for maintaining marine transit means at Al Garhoud spanning an area of 5000 square meters. It has a 250 meter-long platform, and comprises a two-floor building for management & operation in addition to five different maintenance workshops along with a mobile crane (90 tons). The huge expanse of the station enables the maintenance of seven abras, one ferry, one water taxi, and one water bus at a time,” said RTA Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors.