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.