Things to Keep in Mind While Travelling on RTA Buses, or Be Prepared to Face a Fine

Many residents and tourists in Dubai prefer travelling on public transport as it is much more affordable than taxis. Fines for violations can reach up to Dh500 for serious breaches. Here are some common violations and their associated penalties:

Fare Evasion: Not paying the fare or using invalid, expired, or third-party Nol cards can result in a fine of Dh200 to Dh500.

Disruptive Behaviour: Causing inconvenience to other passengers, using equipment that annoys others, or standing in unauthorised areas can incur fines of Dh100 to Dh200.

Littering and Spitting: Spitting, littering, or contaminating public transport facilities can lead to a fine of Dh100.

Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking or carrying alcohol on the bus incurs a fine of Dh200.

Damage to Property: Destroying or tampering with bus systems, seats, or equipment results in fines of Dh500.

Improper Use of Designated Areas: Sitting in areas reserved for specific groups (e.g., female-only areas) or opening bus doors while in motion can incur fines of Dh100.

Hazardous Materials: Carrying weapons, sharp objects, or inflammable materials incurs a fine of Dh200.

Unauthorised Selling: Selling goods or Nol cards without permission from the RTA results in fines of up to Dh500.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently announced the installation of an automated passenger counting (APC) system in new buses to reduce fare evasion. This system records the actual number of passengers and matches it with the automated fare collection data.

In Dubai, the bus system relies on passengers to tap their Nol cards when entering and exiting the bus. However, there have been instances of passengers skipping this process. Those caught evading bus fares face a fine of Dh200.

If you have been fined and are unsure how to dispute it, you can do so online by following these steps:

1. Go to the official RTA website (rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home). From the 'Public Transport' dropdown menu, select 'Bus' and then 'Dispute Form'.

2. Once the page opens, under dispute type, select 'Public Transport Users Fine (Buses and Marine)'.

3. Enter the Nol number, mobile number, fine number, and date of fine issuance.

4. Create a PDF document which should include:

* A copy of your passport or Emirates ID

* A copy of the offending ticket

* Nol transaction history

* Supporting documents to support your grievance process

5. Enter the fine amount and the reason for your dispute before submitting the form.

After submission, you will receive an SMS update on the status of your dispute within 30 days.

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