Metro inspectors intensify campaign against violators

Dubai: The Metro inspectors manning the trains and stations have caught a number of passengers trying to get into the trains without paying the fare, Gulf News has learnt.

Some passengers were found passing through the fare gates without scanning their Nol cards on the card readers. Such passengers walk closely behind the other passengers or next to them and quickly pass through the fare gates without paying as they open.

"This is another innovative way of ‘cheating' by some passengers who try to ‘cheat' the system despite having their Nol cards. Many of them were caught at the time of check- out or exiting the stations," said a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official. He said that a passenger would not be able to check out and exit the stations as a Nol card does not work at the exit point if it is not used at the entry point.

Crackdown

Meanwhile, the Dubai Metro inspectors have intensified a crackdown on passengers found "cheating" or violating the Metro laws.

"We have increased the number of inspectors and also their presence at the stations and inside the trains to ensure [a] safe journey for all," said a senior official at the Rail Agency of the RTA. Although the Metro operator is Serco, the Rail Agency supervises the whole operation and is responsible for ensuring a smooth run and passengers' safety.

The RTA has issued around 600 fines to the Metro commuters for different violations.

"The number of daily fines has increased during the last two weeks as the inspectors are more vigilant and ensure [adherence] to the Metro rules, which is crucial to the smooth train operation," said a senior official.

Out of the total 66 days of operation since the Metro launch on September 9, inspectors had issued 391 fines until October 31 and have intensified the campaign and issued more than 200 fines in just 15 days.

Fare-related fines

According to statistics, the highest number of fines have been issued to passengers who have been found "cheating" the system. Many were issued the fines for fare-related violations. This included using the Gold Class section while having Nol Silver card, not scanning the cards while entering or exiting the stations or failing to pay the correct fares.

The second-highest number of fines was issued to passengers who were found eating and drinking inside the trains. Many were issued fines for invalid cards while a number of passengers were slapped with fines for placing their feet on the seats.

The Metro inspectors have had a tough time issuing fines because many of the passengers resisted and refused to show them their ID, which is necessary to issue a fine.

Polite but firm

The RTA official said that the inspectors have been told to be polite, but they have to enforce the Metro rules necessary to ensure the safety of the system and comfortable travel for all.

There are about 31 fines ranging from Dh100 to Dh2,000 that can be issued to public transport violators.

The maximum fine will be issued for pushing the emergency button and using the emergency exits without a real emergency.

Meanwhile, Peyman Younus Parham, Director Marketing and Communication at the RTA, stressed the need for continual education of commuters about the best use of the integrated transport system, mainly the Metro.

He noted that passengers were found to be behaving very well and that they now stand away from the doors, queue up to ride the trains and offer seats to women and the elderly.

Metro rules