220,100 riders used marine transit modes.

Nashwan Atta’ee, Staff Reporter

RTA’s Public transportation modes have lifted 4,003,195 riders during the recent Eid al-Adha holiday.

The breakdown of public transport ridership during the holiday was: 1,360,469 riders for the two metro lines, 55,983 riders for the tram, 1,061,185 riders for public buses, and 220,100 riders for marine transit modes whereas taxis served 1,305,458 riders.

RTA had charted out a comprehensive plan for the movement of public transit means during Eid holiday, which is always marked by heavy traffic. Due consideration had been given in the plan to the integration of mass transit modes to ensure the smooth mobility of people celebrating this big event.

Recently, Roads and Transport Authority launched a ferry service to commute passengers between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Aquarium Marine Station in Sharjah.

It marked the first marine transit service operated between Dubai and any other emirate. The service launch is part of RTA’s plan to improve marine transportation services and ease people mobility between the two emirates.

The new line has a capacity to serve 1.3m riders per year and is subject to increase if needed. The service comes with an affordable fare of Dhs15 in Silver Class and Dhs25 in Gold Class, and the journey is free for people of determination and children below five. Free WiFi connection will be provided for riders.

The transit time between Al Ghubaiba and Aquarium stations will be about 35 minutes, and the service frequency is every 30 minutes during morning peak hours (from 5 am to 9 am) and evening peak hours (from 4:00pm to 8:30pm) from Saturday to Sunday.

The service interval will be 1 and a half hours during off-peak times. The first journey will depart from Dubai at 5.15 am and the last journey will leave at 8 pm. From Sharjah, the first journey will be at 5 am and the last one will depart at 7.30 pm.

Mobility Options Reflecting on the benefits of the service, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said, “The new marine transit line boosts the cooperation between Dubai and Sharjah by offering more mobility options between the two emirates. It will ease the pressure on roads through offering a safe and quick marine transport solution.