Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station and air-conditioned abra launched

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station, one of the key marine transport stations in Dubai Creek that contributes to boosting multi-modal integration mass transit systems. The station links the air-conditioned traditional abra service (Al Jaddaf – Dubai Festival City Line) with the public bus service, and the Creek Metro Station.

The unique & heritage-inspired design of the Station which comprises a two-level building over an area of 1518 sq m will act as a link between the Dubai Creek, Business Bay and Dubai Water Canal. It is the first marine mass transport station that has comprehensive premises for serving various marine transit means namely, the Ferry, Water Bus, Water Taxi, Traditional Abra, and the Air-conditioned Abra. It is situated close to the Creek Metro Station and the public bus station, which is just 200 meters apart.

The design of the station offers tailor-made facilities for disabled persons and also provides integrated services to riders such as ticket sale, passenger lounges overlooking the Dubai Creek, toilets, retail outlets, offices for station supervisors monitoring voyages, and parking areas for cyclists.

Air-conditioned Abra

Al Tayer then launched the official operation of the air-conditioned traditional abra, which boasts of spectacular heritage design combining the traditional shape of the Abra, and the use of the latest technologies along with a panoramic roof, air-conditioned passenger cabin, and convenient seats for 20 riders. The abra, which measures 10 meters in length and 3.4 meters in width has a single-base low-wash fiberglass body, and two eco-friendly engines powered by high-octane gasoline that produce minimal gas emissions. It is fitted with five air-conditioners of 5 tons. It conforms to the highest standards of security & safety worldwide. It has a robust hull ensuring high safety levels, and easy driving offering 360-degree vision with the possibility of side movement and smooth maneuvering. 

The air-conditioned abra will operate initially from Al Jaddaf Station to Festival City Station that hosts a mall, retail stores, hotels, residential community, golf playground and several other facilities for the public and tourists. The trip takes about seven minutes, and the service will be operational seven days a week from 07 am up to 12 (midnight)  offering 128 trips in both directions at a headway of 10 minutes during peak hours and 20 minutes during off-peak hours.

The fare is just AED2 (two) dirham, and RTA will run a service to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.

Quantum Shift

Al Tayer expressed his delight with the opening of Al Jadaf Marine Transport Station and the launch of the air-conditioned abra; a quality addition to the marine transport sector in the Emirate. “These projects are part of a master plan charted by the RTA for upgrading marine transport means; a vital means of transportation in Dubai, ferrying about 13 million riders per annum. The plan also includes the construction of 12 new marine stations in the Business Bay and the Dubai Water Canal by 2018, thus raising the number of marine transport stations in Dubai to as much as 77 stations by 2020. The Plan also encompasses the operation of marine transit lines along the Dubai Creek, coastal line of Jumeirah beaches, new islands, Business Bay Canal, and the Dubai Water Canal,” he said.

“The marine transport sector is poised to witness a quantum shift in the number and means of marine 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 favorite choice of many citizens, residents and tourists in moving around to enjoy the picturesque view of the iconic tourist and urban facilities. In the last quarter of last year, the RTA launched the operation of five modern abras featuring a design emulating the tradition abras plying the Dubai Creek.

The RTA is also constructing a station for maintaining marine transit means at Al Garhoud spanning an area of 5000 square meters with a 250 meter-long platform. It comprises a two-floor building for the Management & Operation in addition to five different maintenance workshop 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, and is expected to be completed next year” said RTA Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors.