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File picture of an abra (water taxi) sailing on the picturesque Dubai Canal. Image Credit: RTA

Dubai: Boating fans can now ride an electric abra from Dubai Creek Harbour, a new development nearby the creek-side Festival City mall.

The abra is operated by the Roads and Transport Authority, which operates water taxi services all along the creek and canal.

Launched in coordination with Emaar Properties, the abra currently serves the sales centre for the locally-listed mega-developer’s Dubai Creek Harbour project.

“The traditional electric abra is of great appeal to marine transit riders,” Mansour Al Falasi, the RTA’s Director of Marine Transport.

The RTA, together with Emaar, would soon operate abras and organise recreational tours around the flamingo reserve at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, the official added.

“Our objective is to broaden the scope of the service in recreational areas to bring happiness to people.”

Dubai Creek Harbour is the third location where the RTA operates abra services within Emaar’s districts. The first of the three locations was the Marina, which was inaugurated in 2011.

The RTA operates a total of 43 water taxi stations from the creek and canal, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Dubai Marina.

Depending on the number of stations travelled, silver-class tickets range from Dh15 to Dh50. Gold class tickets cost between Dh25 to Dh75.