After being temporarily halted during the epidemic, RTA restored the marine transportation route connecting the emirates' operations on August 4.
Residents of the United Arab Emirates who commute between Dubai and Sharjah have chosen to use the Dubai Ferry instead of the stressful road trip.
After being temporarily halted during the epidemic, the maritime transportation connection between Dubai and Sharjah was once again operational on August 4 by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Saving Time and Money
Suleiman Ibrahim, a seller of spices and dry fruits in Deira, is one of the several passengers aboard the ferry. He lives in sAl Khan neighborhood and relies entirely on Dubai Ferry to get him to work every day.
"I used to travel by bus or car for more than three hours every day. I saved two hours of time over Dh50 when I started using the ferry to work in early September of this year,"
adds Ibrahim.
Stress-free Alternative
"Not only has time and money been an issue, but road traffic also contributed to mental stress, which has mostly subsided. Every day is a really serene adventure.
Ibrahim continues,
"I think business has increased as well since I can concentrate on my work more.
Engineer Arjun Jaykumar, who works at Al Jaddaf, concurs.
"My father drops me off at my office, but I usually take the ferry back."
“My workplace is a short walk from the metro station. After alighting at Al Ghubaiba metro station, I stroll to the nearby marine station, which is only a 2-minute walk. The ferry journey lasts 35 minutes, making my total commuting time around an hour to reach home,”
says Arjun.
"The ferry has made our lives much easier,”
he adds.
Meeting on the Move
Ardashir, a businessman, prefers the ferry over any other mode of commute from Sharjah. He believes that the ride is very peaceful and he can utilise the travel time to the fullest.
“The ride is very quiet... that I can talk to my clients and employees, hold morning and evening meetings while I am on the move. This not only saves my time but makes [the commute] more fruitful,”
says Ardashir.
Big Savings During the Events
One major benefit that locals point out is the significant cost savings that occur during Gitex and Gulf Food events in Dubai. Commuters who choose the ferry save money on fuel and do not have to pay for costly parking in Dubai, where rates can amount to Dh250 at places like the World Trade Center.
Selecting the Dubai boat for major occasions such as Gulf Food and Gitex is revolutionary. I save three hours a day and Dh350 a day on my journey,"
claims Ahmed, a Sharjah-based businessman.
"It's not just about money; it's about enjoying a stress-free trip to these important events and saving valuable time,"
he continues.
Timings
On weekdays, two ferries depart from Sharjah at 7am and 8.30am, and one from Dubai at 7.45am. In the evening, two trips from Sharjah at 4.45pm and 6.15pm, and three trips from Dubai at 4pm, 5:30pm, and 7pm.
From Friday to Sunday, there are six journeys, three journeys from each side starting from noon. Departure times from Sharjah is at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm, whereas the journeys from Dubai starts at 3pm, 5pm, and 8pm.
News Source: Khaleej Times
