UAE | Traffic and Transport

Dh300 fine for falling asleep on Dubai Metro

Penalty for dozing off on Dubai Metro more severe than carrying weapons

By Jay B. Hilotin, Chief reporter, XPRESS
Published: 00:00 November 17, 2011

Image Credit: AP
Next time you doze on Dubai Metro, you could get a rude awakening - and a fine

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DUBAI: The next time you doze on Dubai Metro, you could get a rude awakening - and a fine.

This is what happened to a US student who visited her parents in Dubai recently. While on the train from Khalid Bin Waleed station, she dozed off and went past Ibn Battuta station where she was supposed to get off.

A ticketing inspector woke her up at Jebel Ali station, the last south-bound stop on the Red Line. Before she had the chance to regain her composure, she was handed a Dh300 fine. "She was unaware about this rule. She did not do anything bad, just fell asleep," said a friend of the passenger.

Many people are unaware that sleeping on the Metro could cost them dear. "What's the great idea about slapping a fine on someone who falls asleep on the Metro?" asked another irate passenger. "Do inspectors get commissions for slapping fines for this non-offence?"

A schedule of fines listed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) inside train stations does not specify people can be fined for sleeping on the train.

The general rule, however, states that a Dh300 fine will be slapped for "sleeping in the waiting areas, shelters or any place where it is prohibited". Asked why people get fined for sleeping on the train, an RTA official gave a slightly different definition: "It is the rule … [no] sleeping in the waiting areas, shelters or any place in a public transport environment. Fine will be Dh300".

Two train attendants confirmed to XPRESS that passengers caught taking a nap inside the train may be fined. But one of them gave a qualified answer: "If a passenger falls sleep and snores or disturbs others - by drooling or falling over on to someone else's space - that can invite a fine.

"As long as they don't disturb other passengers when they sleep on the train, then it's OK."

In general, passengers found harassing, causing inconvenience or discomfort to other users of the public transport face penalties, said the second attendant.

The RTA has published a code defining 31 situations that invite fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh2,000.

Metro rules are displayed on the RTA web page, the handy guide to using the Dubai Metro and http://www.rta.ae/dubai_metro/ and brochure .

Metro penalty

Dh2,000 - using security or safety system such as the emergency exits, unless it's essential
Dh500 - damaging, sabotaging or tampering with the systems, equipment and seats of public transport means, facilities or services
Dh300 - Sleeping in passenger shelters or prohibited areas
Dh200 - carrying weapons, flammable articles or any hazardous material
Dh100 - Eating, chewing a gum, drinking, causing disturbance or carrying pets (except guide dogs)

Comments (23)

What do you think of the Dh300 fine for sleeping on Dubai Metro?

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Added 14:24 November 17, 2011

Bizzare rule..... I have myself fallen asleep many a time and fortunately have not been got caught. This must be a one-off case where RTA officials failed to interept the law properly. I think the RTA should make good the loss to the passenger...

Sankar, DUbai/Mumbai, India

Added 14:21 November 17, 2011

They should fine people sitting with one leg on other and touching others dresses with their dirty shoes.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:20 November 17, 2011

I could say a lot of negative things about this article but doing so will not change this policy. I commute from Muhaisnah 4 to Jebel Ali everyday and I always sleep in between journeys. Once someone tapped my shoulder to wake me up and it was an inspector (a local) and he just wanted to check my Nol card and did not fine me or anything. Now I'm thinking it's better to take the private passenger transport buses, which will cost me Dh300 per month only (anyway it costs me around Dh250 a month to commute). I think its better to pay Dh50 extra per month rather than Dh300 per sleep.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:19 November 17, 2011

Fine on sleeping is simply not acceptable. This is not the way to treat people.

Muhammad Farooq, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan

Added 14:16 November 17, 2011

I agreee with the person saying that those who have foul smell should be fined too because I do believe that a person with body odour has no respect for people sitting around him. People feel suffocated and nauseated, especially if there is a pregnant woman whose sensitive to a bad scent.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:15 November 17, 2011

It's not clear if the fine is for sleeping in the train or for not getting down at Ibn Battuta station -- the designated stop and taking a free ride up to Jebel Ali. If that is the case then this kind of fine is applicable in all countries...

G A Dias, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:13 November 17, 2011

Install TVs in Metro, people will not sleep.

Sam, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:09 November 17, 2011

I think the RTA needs to review and evaluate the sleeping fine of Dh300 as this does not make sense for people choosing to use public transportation. This is a ridiculous and unnecessary expense. They should fine those private cars who flash their cars and tail gate others. We believe in the RTA, but please be sensible with the rules.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:08 November 17, 2011

Carrying weapons: Dh200 fine, falling asleep: Dh300 fine!What's going on?

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:01 November 17, 2011

This is so funny. The RTA makes and breaks rules as and when they like. Last year, a friend was travelling by Metro and was chewing gum. He was fined. However, just last week I saw a policeman chewing gum. Isn't he supposed to be fined? How can you fine someone for sleeping in the Metro? Maybe that person isn't well or very tired, which should be considered. Is this a new way of making money?

Anonymous, Dubai, India