Four upgraded abras bring more comfort, accessibility and useful information to Dubai’s waterways.
- Four new fourth-generation abras expand Dubai’s traditional marine transport fleet.
- Each boat carries 24 passengers, with improved seating and flooring.
- Digital screens and electronic destination boards keep passengers better informed.
- Dedicated spaces support easier access for People of Determination.
There is something unmistakably Dubai about crossing the Creek on an abra, with the souks on one side and the city moving at its own pace on the other. For many, it is a daily connection between Deira and Bur Dubai. For visitors, it is a glimpse of old Dubai from the water. Now, the Dubai abra experience is getting a practical upgrade.
A short crossing can make a big difference when you’re commuting, carrying shopping bags or travelling with family. RTA has added four fourth-generation traditional abras to its marine transport fleet, each with room for 24 passengers. More space matters. Upgraded seating and flooring are among the changes intended to make the ride more comfortable, while the redesigned interior makes better use of the available space.
Accessibility is another important part of the update. Each new vessel includes designated areas for People of Determination, with the design developed to meet the Dubai Universal Design Code. That detail matters on a public transport service used by people with different mobility needs. Everyone should be able to make the crossing comfortably.
Anyone who has waited at a Creek station knows that clear information can make a journey easier, particularly during a busy stretch of the day. The new boats feature digital screens showing real-time operational updates, safety messages and passenger awareness content. Electronic destination boards are also making their debut on this fourth-generation model. Less guesswork, more clarity.
There is a wider reason to pay attention to these upgrades. RTA recorded 18.4 million passengers across its marine transport modes in 2025, including abras, ferries and water taxis, a 3% increase on the previous year. That figure covers the full marine network, rather than traditional abras alone. Still, it gives a sense of how many people rely on the water as part of getting around Dubai.
For tourists exploring the Gold Souq, Spice Souq and Al Fahidi, the traditional abra remains part of the appeal of Old Dubai. For residents, it is also a practical link between neighbourhoods, with Creek crossings connecting to the wider bus and Metro network. The familiar wooden-boat experience continues. The passenger facilities are catching up.
With four new vessels, improved interiors, dedicated accessible spaces and clearer onboard information, RTA is giving a familiar part of Dubai’s transport network a thoughtful refresh. Next time you cross the Creek, look beyond the skyline. The small details on board may make the ride feel that much better.
