Category Archives: Marine Transport

Marine Transport Services for Union Day 2023

Water Taxi

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the working hours for all services during the 52nd Union Day holiday. The change in business hours relate to customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro and Tram, marine transport means, and service provider centers (technical inspection of vehicles). Continue reading Marine Transport Services for Union Day 2023

Service Timings for the Prophet’s Birthday 2023

Dubai Ferry

Marking the holiday of the Prophet’s Birthday 1445 H, corresponding to Friday 29 Sept 2023, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced changes in the time of all its services covering customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro & Tram, marine transport means, and service provider centres (technical testing of vehicles). Continue reading Service Timings for the Prophet’s Birthday 2023

Public Transport Service Timings for Eid Al Fitr 2022

Dubai ferry

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the business hours of all its services during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, including customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro and Tram, marine transit means, and service provider centres (technical testing). Continue reading Public Transport Service Timings for Eid Al Fitr 2022

Dubai Ferry Timings for Ramadan 2022

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the business hours of all its services during the holy month of Ramadan 1443 H (2022) including customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro and Tram, marine transit means, and service provider centres (technical testing). Continue reading Dubai Ferry Timings for Ramadan 2022

New Marine Transport Station – BlueWaters

A new marine transport station has been opened on BlueWaters island – the BlueWaters Marine Transport Station.

This is now being incorporated into the routes for the Dubai Ferry that run from and to Dubai Marina and Al Ghubaiba. It takes just 5 minutes to get from the Marina to BlueWaters station. The whole trip between the Marin and Al Ghubaiba takes around 2 hours.

You can see the full timings of the ferry routes on the Ferry Timings page and also details on the routes page.

AIN Dubai construction
AIN Dubai under construction in 2017

BlueWaters island is home to the AIN Dubai – the large Ferris Wheel that has been built on the Island and was opened in October 2021. There have also been a number of other destinations opened on the island recently.

If you want to travel to BlueWaters Island by marine transport then you can either take the Ferry or take the abra that goes from the Marina at the following times:

Monday – Friday: 5:15 pm – 11:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 4:15 pm – 11:45 pm

The trip on the abra only costs 5dhs.

You can also access BlueWaters island via the road and footbridge.

Eid Al Adha 1442H (2021) – Marine Service Timings

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the timings of its services during the holiday of Eid Al Adha 1442H (2021). The revised service timing applies to customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, metro, tram, marine transport, and service provider centres (technical testing of vehicles). At the same time, RTA calls on the community to comply with COVID19 health precautionary measures during EID Al Adha holidays. Continue reading Eid Al Adha 1442H (2021) – Marine Service Timings

RTA Announces service timing during holiday of Eid Al Fitr 1442H (2021)

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the timings of its services during the holiday of Eid Al Fitr 1442H (2021). The revised service timing applies to customer happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, metro, tram, marine transport, and service provider centres (technical testing of vehicles). At the same time, the civic body calls on community members to comply with the precautionary measures. Continue reading RTA Announces service timing during holiday of Eid Al Fitr 1442H (2021)

New Design of Abras Launched

His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has launched an enhanced new generation of traditional wooden Abras replicating the same design of the existing Abras while conforming to the highest security, safety and environmental standards.

The new abras have an increased power output and are manufactured from African teak. They can fit up to 20 passengers and meet the highest standards of safety. The great news for people of determination is that there are 2 new dedicated wheelchair spaces.

These new abras are still diesel powered and not the new electric powered ones.

The new generation Abras are fitted with smart transportation systems, GPS systems, cameras and nol payment systems. The engines in the enhanced versions Abras are linked with the remote monitoring system, and advanced sound and lighting systems onboard.

This means that you will no longer have to find some loose change to pay on these new abras, as you can use your Nol card instead.

RTA has also improved the position of the engine by placing it in a closed chamber equipped with soundproof and firefighting systems. The Abra is equipped with hydraulic steering to improve driving and manoeuvring. The engine room is fitted with soundproofing and anti-vibration systems to reduce noise pollution. Accordingly, the noise is decreased in the new Abra to less than 65 dB, the universally permissible limit.

There will be more improvements to the marine transport system in the coming years including an increase in the number of marine transport stations.

Ridership of all marine transport services is up and the RTA is keen to build on this and make more improvements to make services more accessible and popular for residents and tourists alike.