UAE | Traffic and Transport
Common courtesy key to smooth Metro travel
RTA advice to passengers includes standing to the right on escalators.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 23:13 September 13, 2009
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
- The RTA has launched a campaign to help spread awareness and make people understand why etiquette needs to be maintained for smooth train operations.
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is to launch a campaign to educate the public on how to use the Metro and the culture of train travel.
This comes in the wake of people pushing the emergency button on the trains, causing them to come a halt, disrupting operations. The Metro opened to the public on Thursday, and residents went into weekend party mode with 177,000 taking to the trains during the first three days - much more than anticipated.
Overexcited passengers also caused operational hiccups leading to delays and intermittent services.
"There are some written but many unwritten rules of using the train system and they are not difficult to figure out. Anyone, who is paying the slightest bit of attention to their surroundings or has a little of respect for their fellow human beings, should be able to deduce the basics.
"First, when heading into a station - or trying to leave one - you should stand on the right side of the escalators or travelators. Stand right, walk left, and keep your luggage, purse or shopping bags on your side of the stair," an RTA official said.
"Please don't jump the queue at the ticket vending machines or the ticket counter. It is always helpful to have your Nol Card in your hand while approaching the entrance gates to the platform. Passengers are not interested in seeing you sift through your handbags or wallets. It is a waste of time for all."
The official said it is important to stay away from the platform screen doors. "Don't attack the train as soon as it arrives. Please wait for passengers to get down from the train and then get in. This will save your time and also help you avoid injuries during peak hours.
"Once on the train, please do hold on. There is nothing worse than the person who thinks that it is cool to balance without holding onto the iron bars because he can end up cannon-balling down the length of the train the moment the train 'jerk starts'. Vacate seats for women, elderly and people with special needs and also don't take more than one seat."
The official stressed that people should not throng the Metro for joyrides. "The Metro is here, it will not disappear. So take your time and take a ride. We saw huge crowds of joy riders on the first three days."
Peyman Younus Parham, an RTA spokesperson, said: "Yesterday 64,000 people took the Metro. The numbers were great. There were no real issues. It was a very smooth operation. We are very happy. There were a few instances of platform doors not opening, but the Operation Control Centre got these opened in one to five minutes."
Fines: Be aware of the rules
The Metro staff and attendants inside the trains yesterday started issuing fines to people for violating the transport rules introduced with the launch of the Metro.
"Commuters had joy rides during the first three days but now we have started implementing the rules to ensure safety and discipline on the trains," said a senior official at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said the members of Metro staff at the stations and inside the train are vigilant and ready to issue fines for any violations. "But we do first warn people before issuing any fines," he said.
For example, if anyone is found travelling in the Gold Class [VIP] compartment while holding the Silver Class [economy] ticket, he or she will be asked to move to the economy class. But a fine will be issued if he or she refuses to follow the instructions. Metro staff members were yesterday seen carrying their "fine books".
A staff member asks for a picture ID for issuing a fine. The ID details are written on the fine voucher and then it is returned.
"Anyone who fails to produce any ID will be handed over to the security staff as part of the security procedure," said the official. There are about 31 fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh2,000 introduced by the RTA with the launching of the Metro.
The fines apply on all modes of transport including the Metro, public buses, taxis and water transport.
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