LOC09:58
06:58 GMT
By Hani Awadh (with photos)
DUBAI, June 17 (KUNA) -- "Al-Abra" is one of the oldest means of marine
transport in Dubai, and is still in use today and sailing beautifully as the
cheapest commute available, but with a modern day twist often turning it to a
tourist attraction.
The Abra is a small wooden boat that sailed to and fro between the Khor
Dubai deltas since the 1970s, transporting people to the mainland where they
can find the old markets and bazaars. Nowadays, it is more and more frequently
sought by foreign tourists wishing for a glimpse of local life in the old days
and eager to see the beautiful sights while passing Khor Dubai waters.
Marine Transport Department Director at the Roads and Transport Authority
Khalid Al-Zahid told KUNA the Abra played an important role in the old Dubai
economy, connecting the two shores.
In present day, he said, the Emirate is keen on preserving this image of
the past through maintenance and care for the boats. They are now used both as
proper means of transport by sales representatives, service sector staff,
technicians, and other workers, and as means of recreations in the tourism
industry.
There are two types of Abra, he pointed out, one sailed with oars and one
with an engine. The authority possesses five boats of the first and 149 boats
of the second type.
Stressing how popular the boats are, the official said that until the year
2009, the authority estimates that 16,361,992 people used Abras.
As for the fare, he said the average was one Dirham per person per trip in
the motor Abras, paid to the driver, as there are no tickets or tokens. For
recreation, the Abra could be leased for 100 Dirham per hour through Khor
Dubai. For the oared boats, the fare is two Dirhams per person per trip and 30
Dirhams an hour for a tour of the Khor.
Asked why some people prefer Abra over cars or buses and the like, the
official mentioned the low fee as well as availability of Abras close to the
commuters' starting point as among the reasons.
The word "Khor" means a creek, and the word "Abra" is derived from the
Arabic verb for "cross".(end)
hny.wsa
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