Water taxis to link Ajman with Dubai

Praveen Menon

• Last Updated: October 11. 2009 11:39PM UAE / October 11. 2009 7:39PM GMT

DUBAI // A pilot project that will link Ajman with Dubai using water taxis is expected to begin by the middle of next year.

The announcement follows the signing of an agreement between Ajman Municipality and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Specifics on the project to connect the two emirates, and how the plan will be implemented, will be announced soon, said Mohammed al Muhairi, the director of the municipality’s planning and survey department.

The municipality has previously announced that the service would cost Dh30 million (US$8.2m) and begin with the launch of 10 air-conditioned boats that will ferry as many as 30 passengers each between 17 stations for a Dh10 fare. The department has submitted a request to the RTA to study the project. According to the RTA’s marine agency, 10,884,007 passengers were transported during 621,082 trips on water buses, motorised and rowing abras in the emirate between the months of January and August.

pmenon@thenational.ae