Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will launch a bus service this week to the emirate's latest retail attraction in Deira Islands. The new route to Souk Al Marfa, a fully air-conditioned indoor market that is 1.9 kilometres long, will begin on Thursday with amendments made to three other routes on the same day. The new SM1 route will leave from Dubai’s Gold Souq bus station each hour, passing through Al Khaleej Street before arriving at <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/2021/08/24/whats-special-about-souk-al-marfa-the-massive-new-indoor-marketplace-in-deira-islands/" target="_blank">Souk Al Marfa</a> on Deira Islands. Meanwhile, the number 14 bus route will be modified to include the Business Bay bus station on “the sea side”, and both the F51, in Dubai Business Park, and F55 Emaar South services will be adjusted to include residential areas. Deira Islands is a lavish waterfront development which has been being developed for a number of years. Souk Al Marfa, an indoor marketplace which opened last month, is home to 400 stores and is expected to expand to 1,000 by the time the project is complete. When fully operational, it will be the UAE’s largest wholesale souq and waterfront destination, according to the developer, Nakheel. Once the Deira Islands project is complete, it will host hotels, apartments, commercial buildings and marinas with an estimated 250,000 residents living there as well 80,000 people working in the area. The development’s first property, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/hotel-riu-dubai-a-look-inside-the-first-property-on-deira-islands-1.1126242" target="_blank">Hotel Riu Dubai</a>, opened for business on Deira Islands in December last year. The 800-room four-star hotel has its own mini waterpark, two children’s pools and three large pools for adults. The all-inclusive concept means guests who book a stay at the luxury resort can leave their wallets in the room after check-in because food, drink and activities at the site are included.
