Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is seeking bids for the development of a public transport system along the coast of Dubai.

The RTA received about 10 bids expressions of interest in the project and has now issued a request for proposals. Bids are due in late August according to a source close to the project.

The project is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) and a successful bidder will develop stations along the coastline of Dubai and operate a system of water buses.

A consortium of the US’ headquartered Deloitte, Australia’s WorleyParsons and DLA Piper are advising the RTA on the project.

Over the next five years the RTA has said around 30 per cent of its projects will be developed as PPPs. In addition to the water buses PPP, the RTA is also looking at developing as many as 10 multi-storey car parks with the private sector and says it will tender these projects later this year. Sheikh Rashid Bridge and the replacement for the floating bridge will also be tendered as PPPs.

The Dubai government is also currently securitising the revenue from the Salik toll gates to raise $800m from a group of international and local banks.