Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened its new workshop for Marine Transit Means (abra, ferry, and water taxi) which spans an area of 5,000 sq m in Al Garhoud.

The Dh42-million ($11.4 million) facility comprises five workshops, three stores besides marine/external works area, admin offices, and staff rest area.

The Al Garhoud Workshop also boasts a 250-m-long marina and a dock capable of accommodating boats measuring up to 32 m in length in addition to a boat lifting crane with a capacity of 100 tons.

The facility hosts five different workshops and has a capacity to take 16 boats at a time. The workshop is expected to provide maintenance services for about 198 marine transit modes and has a workforce of about 32 persons.

Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said: "This step supports RTA’s efforts in upgrading Dubai marine transport that has received a big boost in the number of modes, stations and ridership following the operation of the new stations of the Dubai Water Canal linking with the shores of the GCC."

"This sector will continue to grow with the completion of urban and tourist facilities on both sides of the canal along with the opening of marine transport stations. Marine transport means will be the ideal mobility choice of citizens, residents and tourists who will also enjoy picturesque urban views on both shores of the canal,” he added.

Al Tayer inspected the facilities of the station and attended a briefing from Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, the CEO of Public Transport Agency, highlighting the technical specifications of the workshop, which is located nearby Al Garhoud Bridge.

 Bahrozyan said Al Garhoud Workshop was the first such RTA facility dedicated to the service of marine transit means manufactured of fibreglass and their engines.

"It contributes to reducing maintenance cost by 20 per cent, and steps up the quality of maintenance works and readiness of marine transit means by 100 per cent, besides boosting the safety of abras plying the Dubai Creek," he added.

During the tour, Al Tayer reviewed the phases and procedures of hoisting boats, starting with the obtaining of a permit, and verifying the readiness of the maintenance yard and the crane.

The RTA chief pointed out that marine transport sector was a key component of the public transport network in Dubai which boasts about 13 million riders every year," said Al Tayer.

"Due to the vital importance of marine transport, the RTA has mapped out a plan for upgrading the sector comprising the operation of marine transit services on Dubai Creek and along Jumeirah Beach. The service will also cover the new islands, the Business Bay and the Dubai Water Canal," he added.-TradeArabia News Service