There’s a new way to get around the always-impressive emirate of Dubai. Water taxi services have launched in the city, offering holidaymakers a stylish way to get to and from attractions, events and their accommodations.
Holidays in Dubai, a city which has become synonymous with ingenuity through its land reclamation for resorts, as well as its increasingly impressive urban skyline, can now benefit from water travel on Dubai Creek.
The watercraft, each seating 11 passengers and ferrying from hotels to popular sightseeing attractions in Dubai, launched last week on a trial basis as Dubai’s Roads and Transit Authority readies a full-scale launch for later this year.
“We are getting a lot of enquiries – where will the taxi go, how much will the charges be,” said Mohammad Abu Bakr al Hashimi, director of planning at the RTA. “This is a trial to find out if there are any errors, so we can make the service better. We expect a normal service to begin after Ramadan.”
Charges for the service will be based on the distances between stations travelled to, which are set to include the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Park and the Deira, amongst others.
“It’s like a regular taxi but on water. We hope tourists, residents and their families will come to enjoy and relax,” al Hashimi told The National, an Emirati newspaper.
With a sleek silver design and tinted windows, the water taxis would fit well for getting around on luxury holidays in Dubai, but with fares expected to start at 50 dirham, a trip on the water wouldn’t need to break the bank.
One intrigued spectator interviewed by The National commented: “If I can take my family in a boat for 100 dirham in the marina it will be worth it.”
