Things that can get you fined in the Dubai Bus! AVOID THEM

Here are some common mistakes you need to keep in mind to avoid RTA fines, which can range from Dh100 to a whopping Dh2000.

What can I be fined for?

Fines can be imposed on behaviours such as putting your feet up on seats, eating and drinking, and others, included in the fields of health and safety, fare payment, compliance and behaviour. Here’s the full picture of what activities and offences incur fines.

1. Endangering safety for passengers

As the most important concern, heavy fines are imposed in cases of equipment or behaviours that could compromise safety of the passengers and driver.

Dh2,000

Using security and safety devices such as emergency exits or fire alarms when not necessary

Dh1,000

Carrying hazardous items, including sharp tools, inflammable materials or weapons inside the bus or bus facilities

Dh500

Carrying alcoholic beverages in bus or bus facility premises

Dh300

Sleeping in bus passenger shelters, or buses

Dh200

Distracting or causing obstruction to the driver while he is driving

Dh100

Jumping or climbing to board buses when moving - Opening bus doors or attempting to enter or leave while the bus is moving between stops

Bringing animals, except guide dogs for blind people, into the bus

Carrying or using equipment that may be inconvenient to other passengers or endanger their safety

2. Compromising health and cleanliness

Affecting bus hygiene is also an offence that incurs fines.

Dh200

Littering, spitting or any act that would affect cleanness of the bus, its facilities and services

Smoking inside the bus or at the bus stop

Dh100

Eating and drinking in buses or other prohibited areas

3. Causing damage and disturbance

Decorum must be maintained inside the bus, and behavioural disturbances that includes putting feet up on seats can be fined.

Dh1,000

Vandalising, damaging or destroying equipment on buses and bus stations

Dh200

Causing inconvenience or disturbance in any way to other bus users, which includes behaviours like playing musical instruments, using sound reproducing equipment to the annoyance of other passengers

Dh100

Putting feet up on seats

Sitting or standing in non-passenger areas

4. Non-compliance with regulations

Activities such as using the bus for sales and promotion activities, disobeying signboard regulations and inappropriately parking and using designated seats have fines ranging from Dh100 per day of offence to Dh100.

Dh100 per day up to Dh1,000:

Parking vehicles in spaces for metro users that exceeds a permitted period

Dh200

Carrying out commercial activities such as sale and promotion within buses and bus facilities

Failing to comply with instruction of authorised personnel such as inspectors, or obstructing their duties

Using bus services or facilities in a way that disobeys authority’s instructions posted on signboards, for example, not using masks or sitting on designated socially distanced seats

Dh100

Entering restricted areas within buses or stations such as driver’s and staff areas

Accessing or sitting in seats designated for specific categories that is not suited to you

5. Invalid payment sources or non-payment of fare

Always make sure to carry a Nol card and pay with a valid payment card to avoid fines.

Dh500

Using a fake Nol card

Dh200

Using buses, bus facilities or services without paying

Using an expired or invalid Nol card

Using a Nol card designated for others

Failing to show a Nol card on request

Selling a Nol card without permit

These fines will be issued against your Emirates ID or passport number, and can only be paid at certain locations. According to the latest system, inspectors issue the fines using machines that issue the receipt.

How to pay fines

You can pay the bus fines in the following ways:

• Visit the Al Kifaf Customer Happiness Centre, which is open from 8am to 7.30pm, Sunday to Thursday. It is located near Zabeel park on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed street.

• Show the fine number on your ticket and pay the inspector directly, after the fine has been issued.

A ‘Knowledge and Innovation Fee’ of Dh20 will be charged along with your fine.

However, they can be disputed within 30 days of being imposed through these processes:

• Access the official RTA website, go to ‘Bus’ under Public Transport, and click on the ‘Dispute form’ option to fill and submit

• Emailing ask@rta.ae

• Calling 8009090

For all of these options, you would need to provide details of the fine, personal identification documents like an Emirates ID or passport, along with proof for contesting the fine issuance.