Shaikh Mohammed inaugurated on Sunday the water taxi project at the Festival City station on the Dubai creek.

It is a new tourist project and transport mode introduced by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). The project, part of the RTA Land and Sea Transport Strategy, will allow commuters to ferry around the city in a short span of time.

His Highness Shaikh Mohmmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who was accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, and a number of senior officials, took a trip on board the water taxi.

During the trip through the Al Garhoud Bridge, Shaikh Mohammed was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, on the Authority’s plan to boost the marine transport fleet and providing facilities like air-conditioners 
and LCD monitors in the water taxis 
for comfort and entertainment of the passengers.

After inaugurating the water taxi, Shaikh Mohammed took a bus to Rashidiya Metro Station where he opened the state-of-the-art automatic train control system which monitors and controls trains on the Red and Green Lines. Shaikh Mohammed also inspected the crisis management centre and the Metro workshop.

In the last leg of the tour, Shaikh Mohammed inaugurated the Dh550 million RTA Headquarters building at Umm Al Ramoul and toured its various sections. Talking to RTA employees, Shaikh Mohammed affirmed that the UAE is replete with human resources and professionals who are taking up leadership positions and responsibility in several ministries and corporations. He also stressed the importance of enhancing confidence in UAE youngsters.