"We have finalised the locations to build the water taxi ranks at 17 points where passengers can go and ride the taxi," said Dr Khalid Al Zahid, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the RTA's Marine Agency.
He said that the water taxi service will be launched in Dubai in the first quarter of next year to provide an alternative mode of transport to alleviate traffic congestion.
At least ten water taxis at a cost of Dh30 million will be operational on Dubai Creek as part of a plan by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority's Marine Agency to develop a comprehensive water public transport system in the emirate.
"Residents and tourists will be able to book the water taxis over the phone just like the normal taxis and will have to wait for it at the agreed boarding station," Al Zahid added.
The Marine Agency is spending more than Dh1.2 billion on water transport projects. Apart from the existing abra service, it has already launched a water bus service at the Dubai Creek.
The water taxi will have 11 seats including two for people with special needs. It will have a dual-base catamaran low wash, a smooth ceiling and a central air-conditioning system.
It has seats similar to business class seats on aeroplanes with a remote-controlled LCD monitor fitted on the back of each seat, and a table for food.
"It is a VIP service and will mostly cater to tourist and visitors to major businesses and hotels," he said.
The water taxi measures about 11 metres in length, and four metres in width. It weighs nine tonnes and runs at a speed of up to 35 knots per hour.
He said that the Marine Agency has already started an air-conditioned water bus service at the Dubai Creek.
"We will start the first phase of Dubai Ferry service in 2011 within the Dubai Creek and then it will be linked to the coastal areas and will have stations at Jumeirah Beach Park and the Palm Jumeirah," he added.
He said that the ferry service will be extended to all the coastal and offshore developments gradually to cope with the demands of the new developments.
Each ferry will have capacity to carry 100 passengers and will initially cover six kilometres of Dubai Creek, linking stations such as Deira City Centre, Baniyas Station and the Gold Souq on Deira side and Al Ghubaiba on the Bur Dubai side of the creek.
"Air-conditioned boats travelling up and down the creek for 18 hours a day on new water routes will link up with Dubai Metro and public buses will definitely provide easy transport facilities and help reduce traffic jams," Al Zahid commented.
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