UAE | Traffic and Transport

Misusing public transport set to attract hefty fines

Users of public transport may be slapped with fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh500 in case they violate rules put in place to ensure passenger safety and convenience.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 23:15 August 31, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Luis Vazquez, Dwynn Ronald V. Trazo/Gulf News
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Dubai: Users of public transport may be slapped with fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh500 in case they violate rules put in place to ensure passenger safety and convenience.

"Anybody found violating the public transport use rules will face a fine for it is important to ensure comfortable travel for every passenger and protection of public transport property and facilities," Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, said.

The list of fines has been approved along with Order number 3/2009 governing the Unified Fare of Mass Transport in the emirate of Dubai and it has been approved by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.

Al Tayer said: "We cannot allow passengers to damage the mass transport and its facilities, including buses, trains, stations and other services."

He added that those involved in vandalism and damaging means of public transport would be taken to task. These rules will be applicable on all modes of public transport including the Metro, public buses and the water buses.

"Safety and security of passengers is our top priority and there will be no compromise on it," he added.

He said that apart from more than 660 trained police officers specially trained to protect the passengers and the transport system, there will be officials from the RTA and the operator Serco to ensure safety of passengers and the transport facilities.

He said that fines could be as low as Dh100 for eating and drinking in the trains and the prohibited areas at stations and bus stops and it could be as high as Dh500 for offences such as destroying, damaging or tampering with devices, equipment or seats of public transport facilities and services.

Have your say
Do you find these fines fair? What other offences do you think should be penalised with a fine? Tell us at
letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the comments form below.

Your comments


Congratulations to the RTA for this amazing project of soon to open Dubai Metro!! im using bus daily as my mode of tranportation coming and going to my office and sometimes i feel inconvenience specially the smell of few people that makes disturbance is should say its BAD ODOR.. can u make any steps how to lessen or can u keep any automomatic spray with scent inside the train just to lessen the bad smell.. i hope so!
Joan C.
Iligan city,Philippines
Posted: September 01, 2009, 16:41

yes,fines are good always ring the bell in our mind so we r carefull. All fines are positive but the fine on eating and drinking is not positive. Atleast rta should allow water because no one stay without water. long live dubai
Hassan yasin
dubai,uae
Posted: September 01, 2009, 16:24

Yes it is a very good step taken by RTA. I have gone through all the fines are quite reasonable. one fine i would like to suggest that people sticking posters, stickers
Shabbir Sitabkhan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 16:21

puting fines is a good idea but RTA has to increse the frequency of buses in certain areas like for Ras Al Khoar in this route the frequency of buses is very bad most of the time people has to stand for 2 hours for the 64 no bus
Sufi Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 14:48

give fines to those that smell really bad they pollute the bus.
Jenny
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 14:30

It was a good move from the RTA side as to keep the city clean. But as per one of the reader comments families travelling together must be issued a single card as this would avoid the crowd while issuing the tickets and easy for the family member rather than carrying 10 to 15 cards
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 14:27

I beleive implementing fine in public transport makes sense and law is law.
Anser Firdose
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 14:14

please include in the fine those who are talking loud in their mobile phones and those who are sitting with their feet up on the next seat,the same thing they're doing in the bus and believe me...it smells awful!
Gilbert De Leon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 13:52

Looks like a right move by RTA for the public.. But i feel they should also bring out some rule for the rude ticket issuers in Dubai bus station.. I beleive they belong to RTA and they seriously have no sense of behaving with people, especially the lady travellers..
Carol
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 13:13

The fines are necessary to make sure people abide by the rules and regulations set by the RTA. Rules are there to protect all users of a service, not only a few. Family tickets are not ideal for any form of public transport, it is not an amusement park where a family ticket is used as a promotion to antice entire families to attend. Its a form of public transport and you just have to live with the fact that each individual using the metro should purchase a ticket. Tickets should not be transferable by any means. How can you prove or not prove who is a member of your family, anyone could use any else's ticket. The RTA needs to make a profit from the metro or at least get the money back through ticket sales. Sunil Venkateswaran, some people are hard of hearing, which means they have to talk louder to even hear them selves talk, its human nature. Asking the RTA to control people who speak loud is ridiculous, might as well fine people who have asthma and breath heavy, get real. Whether the Dubai metro is effective or nor depends on planning prior to launch. This includes fines set prior to launch so all users are aware of the concequenses of their actions. You can not just launch a metro system without rules and regulations and then try to aducate users. You need to get the rules set into people's minds before you let them use a service. Its just like any business, look at the rules and fines as a company policy for example. In other words, when using the Metro think of how your behaviour might effect everyone around you. Try to think of what bothers you and then work out what is socially acceptable behaviour. The success of the metro relies on the people using it and their social skills.
JP
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 12:10

I think its fair enough. How about those users of public transport that has a really bad body odor will they fine also? they are causing discomfort to other public transport users and also pollute the public transport and its facilities. I have experienced many times that some users do look good in their appearance but smell so bad that brings discomfort to others public transport users.
Jake
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:58

Very Good,hope this list of fine will be implemented. For our safety specially for the ladies who commute everyday.
Cynthia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:56

fines are good.but eating and drinking should allow-even flights allow.another thing RTA should introduce single(FAMILY CARD) for all the family members can use.
Antony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:36

My comment is in regards to the restriction on food and drinks on the metro. Thousands of communters will be using metro on a daily basis to get to work early morning. I think that it is rather restrictive that commuters cant grab a quick bite at the station and consume it on their way to work. RTA has spent billions on this project. Wouldnt it make a bit more sense to install wastebins in each cart and have staff clean them every hour? This could create a cleaner, healthier metro with more facilities for commuters.
Faisal Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:35

This is a great move from RTA....However If they could check the Taxis and the Taxi drivers also randomly or at least monthly for smell especially this time of the year. Thanx!
Chili
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:32

The fines are necessary to curb hooliganism and vandalism. The whole populace need to be responsible citizens. The law in general is meant for law breakers not law keepers. I commend the move.
Lawrence
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:30

We should at least be able to drink bottled water. Some Journies could take 45 minutes.
Majid Qamar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:27

First of all i would like to ask: 1. why RTA always come up with fines and penalizing concepts first rather than improving their services first, like: BUSES ARE ALWAYS NOT ON TIME, SOMETIME A/C of the BUSES NOT WORKING, BUS NUMBERS WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FROM THE BACKSIDE (please change the pattern or number size) ARE NOT CLEAR, BUSES ARE OVERLOADED WITH PUPIL, plenty of BUSES BELONGING TO SAME NUMBER COMES AT THE SAME TIME RATHER THAN REGULAR INTERVALS ETC ETC.
Abdullah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:23

RTA Dubai is doing much for the easy and comfortable journey of all the passengers. So its our duty to obey the rules and always try to keep every part of transport clean. The fines are 100 % fair because many of the passengers are misusing the transport system by damaging the devices. We must always thank to the Dubai Goverment for all types of facilities which are not available in other cities of GCC.
Mohammad Meraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 10:33

Not good, bez i travelled in bus and i never seen any body drinking or eating.Bt i have seen bus lik C1,inside tht AC doesnt work at all,even i feel sometime just break the glass so that air can pass through.N regarding bus stops, many doesnt work n its so samll that only 8 to 10 ppl can be inside. So der is no point in spoiling it. RTA has to tak steps to keep clean the surrounding. Bt steps like this ll create angry inside ppl .
Dhruv
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 10:33

First of all RTA has to Educated the PT users Practicallywith timeline about the rules. and rules like - Expired card
Walla
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 10:17

The fines are necessary to curb hooliganism and vandalism. The whole populace need to be responsible. The law in general is meant for law breakers not law keepers. I commend the move.
Lawrence
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 10:07

Yes, more than fair because of what i observed since I'm a regular traveller of the bus, there are many people who just ride without sweeping the tickets, especially those two doors at the back. How i wish that the RTA will put an undercover agent in every bus so they would know that not only 1 but more than 5 in every bus are doing this.
Emily Corona
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:53

I think, there's a lot of hype going on in these days to the run-up of the metro inauguration. The people of dubai and UAE need to wait and watch, how effective, the metro is goin to be in solving the transportation and road traffic problems in the emirate. As far as the fines are concerned, they are justified as destruction or misuse of any public property cannot be tolerated.
Joel D'lima
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:48

This is the right way strong rules and fines for those who did not accept it. Gratulations from Germany where you can see violating and damage in trains and stations every day. This is the reason why i make my holiday since 10 years in the UAE.
Andreas Ganss
Frankfurt,Germany
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:37

Dear Sir, The effort to run the system smoothly is really appreciable. The point no 4 in the list should be considered for review, as members of a family travelling should be able to use the same ticket to travel by multiple punching or some other option. It is unfair to ask all members of the family to have different tickets to travel by train/bus. parents and 3 kids will have to eventually purchase 5 different tickets to travel at a time. We should lookout for an option of a family pass.
Nandakumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:25

I really think that issuing a fine for drinking any liquid on-board the metro is silly. With the hot summers of Dubai everyone will want to at least drink some water. so if I'm dying of thirst i have to drink a bottle of water that would cost me 101 dhs!!...
Ryan Saudi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:24

Overdoing fines will discourage people from using public transport. While it is important to make sure there is no misuse of the system, it is important to realise that if someone is to travel from one end of the city to another, they are bound to require some water during that time span.
A Reader
Toronto,Canada
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:16

There are some people who talk loudly on their mobile phones. Such loud talkers are a nuisance to other people around him. RTA should try to control such people from talking loudly inside the metro station and train by imposing a fine.
Sunil Venkateswaran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 09:02

This decree of fines to users misusing the system is a highly demanding one in today?s conditions. But the concerns are on the on efficient implementation of the system. We have very good systems but we don't practice it. All the users are bound to keep the environment and facilities neat and tidy. Unfortunately each corner of public bus stations are stained with spits from tobacco eaters. Though there are waste bins near each bus stop, cigarette butts and soft drink cans are scattered. An awareness programme to the users may improve the situation. Let us keep the environment and the facilities well maintained for our next generation.
Anwar Shafeeq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:56

Very informative .The Major offenses should be slapped with a huge amount of fine. I would also request the authorities to place this near the stations so every body can read and have a look. the amount of fines are like plenty so its we who need to take care. Looking forward for a comfortable and safe journey.
Mathew litty
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:53

That?s great and very much acceptable. In fact all the disgusting habits like spitting, smoking, littering and harassment of any kind should all be fined.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:50

This is good decision. As a daily commuter, I am facing lot of inconvenience by the co passengers behaviours. Under no circumstance male passengers should not allow to sit in the seats designated for ladies and children or immediately they should vacate the seat as and when a lady passenger entered in the bus and looking for a seat. Also keeping the foot in the seat, handle should be viewed very seriously and more amount should be fined. Playing music in mobile which disturb the co-passengers should be fined. Standing in the front side of the bus where the ladies seats are designated must be fined. In spite of all these, RTA should keep the time schedule punctual.
Abraham
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:43

It is a good move and yet another way to impose penalties. Violators could be banned from using the system by no issuing any more permits to avail any such service instead of fines.
Pradeep
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:38

These fines are a must so that people abide by the law. We can see a lot of vandalism being carried out especially at such places and RTA has done such a tremendous job and everyone is looking forward to their ride in Metro. They should employ more staff and also fine people who smoke, litter, and spit etc. Let us keep our city Dubai and UAE clean.
Ajit Vaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:38

i think the fines are quite reasonable as compared to the construction cost of the facility. if Dubai is taking care of us by providing facilities like Metro and air conditioned bus shelter, its our duty to consider these all heavy cost facilities as a part of our home and try to maintain the looks of the city wonderful.
Nadeem Ahmad Haji
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 08:06

This is very good step for the benefit of all. However, the fines shouldn't be fixed or harsh, but should be variable depending on case-to-case basis. Minimum could be 50 or less than that, etc if one cannot afford to pay.
A Reader
UAE,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 07:53

a very good step by RTA.. I don't understand this human psychology that, one do not wants his property to get damage but at the same time he damages the public property.. why??.. for those who do not have civic sense, must be strictly punished by law as they don't understand that these public transports costs millions, and are there for our convenience...think about it!
Afaq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2009, 02:34

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