RTA, Atlantis join hands to give Dubai 'Blue Abra'

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Atlantis, The Palm Hotel in Dubai where the two parties expressed their intents to cooperate in launching a new electric-powered Blue Abra line as part of their joint endeavours to actively contribute to diffusing the use of green energy in the emirate of Dubai.

This new line for electric traditional (blue) abras has actually been launched starting off the Atlantis Hotel, The Palm on the November 1, 2014, in concurrence with the Public Transport Day with the aim of meeting the public demand for using this entertainment mode at one of the most iconic landmarks of the emirate and savouring the picturesque view of the Palm.

In the first stage two blue abras will be operated and each of these electric-powered environment-friendly abras can accommodate six riders.

The fare is Dh65 for a 20-minute trip starting off Al Naseemi Beach in Atlantis and passing through seaside front of The Atlantis and Palm Resort as well as the Splash Park.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the RTA by Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and on behalf the Atlantis Hotel by Serge Zaalof, President and Managing Director of Atlantis, The Palm, in the presence of directors and managers of both parties.

“The objective of signing this MoU is to showcase the drive advocated by RTA senior management towards realising RTA’s strategic goals revolving around augmenting revenues of marine transit means, such as blue abras, minimising costs and epitomising the principle of public-private partnership.

“The two parties also seek to achieve mutual benefits through outlining the perimeters of their partnership, making joint efforts to improve the performance of marine transit services especially diffusing the culture of the traditional (blue) abra, maintaining the communication between the two parties to serve their common interests, and increasing the number of stations served by electric abras in the Emirate of Dubai,” explained Al Ali.

Serge Zaalof, President and Managing Director of Atlantis, The Palm, said: “I’m excited and honoured to be with you today here at the Public Transport Agency of the RTA to sign this MoU; which I hope will be a step towards broadening the joint cooperation between The Atlantis Hotel, The Palm and the RTA, particularly in the field of marine transport.”

 

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