Big Increase in Water Bus Passenger Traffic.

Summary: DUBAI u The water bus service operated by Roads & Transport AuthorityAEs (RTA) Marine Agency is getting to be more and more popular in Dubai.

Trips saw an increase of 32 per in August as compared to 2008.

Recent statistics released by the Marine Agency at show that 39,781 passengers had been served in 11,284 trips by the Water Bus during August 2009.

"August 2009 statistics show an increase of 9,739 passengers compared to the same statistics compiled in August 2008," said Hussain Ali Al Saffar, the Director of Operation and Maintenance Department of the Marine Agency.

"The commuters served in August this year through B1 Line (Bur Dubai station -- Al Sabkha station) touched 5,421 passengers, whereas it was 2,747 passengers in August last year.

The monthly average of passenger traffic through B1 Line over the period from the beginning of January to the end of August this year was 5,263 C passengers, compared to 3,510 passengers during the same period last year," he said. "The indicator also reflects a healthy growth rate of 97 per cent in the number of passengers; which corresponds to a 54 per cent growth rate in the monthly average of last year."

He added, "The monthly average during the period from the beginning of January to the end of August this year is 14,737 passengers, compared to 12,547 passengers during the same period last year. This indicates a growth of 22 per cent in the monthly average during the same period last year." Aa

Al Saffar then indicated that the performance indicator of B3 Line (Seef station -- Bani Yas Station -- Sabkha station) shows that the number of passengers ferried during the month of August this year reached 18,772 passengers whereas the number in August last year was 16,172 passengers.

"The monthly average during the period from the beginning of January to the end of August this year is 18,772 passengers, compared to 16,172 passengers during the same period last year.

"This indicates a 16 per cent growth rate in the number of passengers served in August this year compared to the numbers reported in August last year, and a 9 per cent increase in the monthly average of passengers compared to the monthly average last year," he said.

Al Saffar then said the rising trend impacted the performance of B4 Line (Bur Dubai station - Seef station - Dubai Creek station) in August 2009.

"In particular 2,750 passengers were served compared to 592 passengers during the same period this year. The monthly average of passenger traffic during the period from the beginning of January to the end of August this year is 2,762 passengers, compared to 816 passengers during the same period last year," he said.Aa

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