RTA cracks down on violations in tourist bus sector with over 15,000 inspections

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant tourist buses in Dubai, conducting 15,575 inspections as part of a major campaign targeting the chartered, tourist, and international bus sectors.

The large-scale operation, carried out by RTA field teams, aimed to identify safety lapses, ensure proper licensing, and curb irregular practices among transport operators. These inspections come as part of the RTA’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards and preserve Dubai’s reputation as a global tourist destination.

Overall quality

“Our goal is not only to catch violators, but to raise the overall quality and reliability of tourist and chartered transport services. These inspections are crucial in ensuring compliance with safety regulations and licensing requirements," said Saeed Al Balooshi, Director of Passenger Transport Activities Monitoring at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

 The campaign was conducted in close coordination with other key authorities, including Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Hatta Border Post, to tackle misuse and irregularities, particularly in cross-border and international transport services.

Effective enforcment

Al Balooshi said the RTA’s focus on leveraging advanced technology to track and assess inspection outcomes. “We are continuously enhancing our methods by comparing inspection data with recorded violations to ensure that our enforcement efforts are both effective and impactful,” he said.

 The RTA has urged all operators in the tourist transport sector to fully comply with existing regulations, reinforcing the importance of delivering safe, licensed, and high-quality services to Dubai’s residents and millions of annual visitors.