New ferry services and stations to launch in Dubai

The ferry service that was launched in 2011 runs from three ferry terminals – Al Ghubaiba, in Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina and Al Mamzar, in Deira, but stations at Festival City and Al Jaddaf are on the way.

The RTA ferry already stops in Dubai Marina, Bur Dubai and Deira but two new stations will see ferries take passengers to Al Jaddaf and Festival City now. Jeff Topping / The National

DUBAI // New ferry services and more stations will be launched this year to encourage residents and tourists to use water transport.

The ferry service that was inaugurated in 2011 runs from three terminals – Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Al Mamzar in Deira.

“The Al Jaddaf and Dubai Festival City projects are under construction and are expected to be completed in August 2015,” said Dr Yousuf Al Ali, chief executive of the Roads and Transport Authority’s public transport agency.

“Other projects will be announced in the future. We are monitoring the demand closely and will put the required number of ferries in operation on time, as we match the demand with the supply.

“Tourists mainly use the services but already residents are using the Dubai Ferry, and we will create awareness campaigns to encourage the public to use water transport.”

The expansion plans are part of the RTA’s masterplan to increase marine transport in areas that are densely populated and hold tourist interest.

It merges with the authority’s aim to encourage tourists to use alternative means of transport and to ease the number of commuters on the roads in cars, taxis and buses.

Each air-conditioned boat can carry up to 100 passengers, with space for wheelchairs. The trips take about an hour and usually run in a loop around the terminals, apart from scheduled journeys between Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Marina.

“I heard about this boat from a friend and from Facebook, because it is a different way to see Dubai, from the sea,” said Hannah Bloch, a Swedish tourist.

“It’s very unusual for me to see Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa and The Palm from the sea. I have come to Dubai many times but this is the first time I’ve done this.

“It’s a unique view and I wish it was available to go to other places in Dubai.”

Services run when there are at least 10 passengers, and the evening rides are often more popular than morning and afternoon.

“Sometimes it is frustrating because, even if you arrive 10 minutes before the departure, the boat is full,” said Charmaine Lauren, a Sharjah resident who often brings family to Dubai Marina for a one-hour journey.

“So when I have family visiting, we have to make sure we come at least 30 to 40 minutes before so that we get on, particularly on weekends.

“Then if I bring them on weekdays and there are not enough people, two trips are combined so you can end up wasting time. I wish they had more boats.”

Plans for the new terminals in Festival City and Al Jaddaf were backed by businesses. Al Jaddaf and Creek metro stations were the last two of the 20 stations on the Green Line that were opened in March last year.

“Once the ferry services start there will be a link between Jaddaf and Festival City, so we can expect more tourists in hotels in this area. It will be good for businesses here,” said Aslam Kafi, a grocery shop owner in Jaddaf.

“Now there is nothing but a lot of construction in this area, but it will settle down when the ferry terminal is built.

“There are also many hotels and hotel apartments being constructed here so there will be tourists ready to use boats to go to Dubai Marina, the bazaars and souk areas, or to Festival City.”

More than 7,900 passengers ride the ferry every month, according to RTA figures. The water bus and abras remain the most popular means of transport for tourists in the souq areas of Downtown Dubai and Festival City.

The monthly numbers for the water bus are 45,222 and about 22,450 use the abras, the RTA said.

For information on ferry times, click here, although they may vary depending on the number of passengers.

The price for a gold-class ferry seat is Dh75; regular silver class is Dh50; and children between 2 and 10 years old travel at half price.