Dubai:  The Marine Transport Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority has launched a campaign to encourage use of the water bus services on Dubai Creek.

Fares for the water bus stand at Dh4, while abra crossings cost Dh1. Abras are therefore still the number one choice for commuters unwilling to pay the higher fare.

The campaign is targeting local government departments, embassies and private sector entities on Al Seef and Baniyas Roads.

These include Dubai Municipality, the Economic Development Department and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It is also targeting etisalat, the General Secretariat of Municipalities and Emirates Bank.

A series of meetings was held with these establishments to explain the transport system.

'Optimum solution'

Ahmad Al Hammadi, director of the Operations and Performance Agency, RTA Marine Agency, said: "These visits aim to introduce the employees of these entities to the importance of mass transit and the need to ease traffic congestion. Here is the role of the Marine Agency in providing an optimum solution through the water bus. The Agency is currently arranging printing of 100,000 brochures to be distributed among employees, clients and the public."

Emirates Bank has agreed to commute more than 200 employees daily via the water bus.

The campaign will run until December this year. A second phase of the campaign will shift focus to neighbouring emirates to enhance the role of mass transit systems.