Bahrain has taken a major step forward in enhancing public transportation and promoting tourism with the inauguration of a first-of-its-kind Water Taxi at Bahrain Bay.
The locally manufactured air-conditioned boats can hold up to 28 passengers at a time and will stop at six stations around Manama and Muharraq – the East Coast Corniche, Saada Marina, The Avenues-Bahrain, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Harbour House at Bahrain Financial Harbour and Water Garden City.
Manufactured by H Al Dhaen Boats, a subsidiary of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, the project aims to provide passengers with a modern and comfortable travel experience.
The service includes unique onboard offerings such as beverages and light snacks provided in a dedicated area.
The launch ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of officials from the Tourism Ministry, Mumtalakat and Masar Group, who are specialists in marine logistics and tourism transport.
A number of officials, including Tourism Minister and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority chairperson Fatima Al Sairafi, Mumtalakat chief executive Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Masar Group chairman Hussain Al Qaseer, were taken on the inaugural trip yesterday.
Shaikh Abdulla emphasised that the launch of the Water Taxi project will contribute to the development of Bahrain’s public transportation system.
“These new Water Taxis reinforce Bahrain’s position as an attractive tourism destination on both regional and international levels,” said Shaikh Abdulla.
“The project aligns with Mumtalakat’s strategy to enhance the efficiency of its investment portfolio and grow its assets to ensure sustainable long-term returns.
“It also reflects the company’s commitment to promoting collaboration and integration among its subsidiaries in support of economic growth and diversification of national income sources.”
Mr Al Qaseer expressed his full appreciation for Mumtalakat’s support of the group’s strategy and ongoing efforts to empower Masar to achieve its growth and expansion goals.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to all stakeholders under the Team Bahrain initiative for their vital contributions to the successful launch of this pioneering project,” said Mr Al Qaseer.
“We aim to solidify Bahrain’s position as a strategic regional hub for tourism and logistics in the upcoming years.”
All stations for the water taxis are equipped with top-tier safety standards.
Marine crews have been trained on safety procedures to guarantee the comfort and security of passengers.
Tickets can be booked through the Masar app, which allows users to select destinations, time and number of passengers, with flexible payment options including BenefitPay, bank cards and Apple Pay.
Additionally, passengers can choose to book a Day Pass where they can select either a standard seat or VIP Seating.
They will run from Sunday to Wednesday from 2pm until midnight and Thursday to Saturday from noon until 12.30am. A One Station standard ticket will cost 800 fils, while a VIP Ticket will cost BD1.500. Meanwhile, Full Day Pass will cost BD2.500 for the Standard Ticket and BD5 for the VIP Tickets.
The GDN reported in 2015 that Parliament unanimously voted in favour of sea taxis in Bahrain as an alternative form of public transport and tourist activity, a proposal that was presented by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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