A few days ago, I took the bus number F8 operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) after finishing work. I punched in and took a seat. Once the bus reached the bus stop near my house, in Al Nahda area, Dubai, I stood up and swiped my NoL card and pressed the button to open the door.
Just then, a ticket inspector entered the bus and asked me to show him my identification, because he thought I was trying to exit the bus without paying for the ride. I informed him that I had swiped my card and was exiting. I hadn’t seen him, as he wasn’t in uniform and no one looks at the people who are entering the bus before we get out.
However, he took me outside to his car and checked my NoL card. I stood outside for 10 minutes feeling humiliated as I had obviously not committed a crime. After that he fined me Dh2,000 for trying to open the door while he was entering. The amount was a lot and I tried to convince him to cancel the fine. I don’t think it was a crime, because the door had only opened half way and I was still inside the bus. But, he didn’t listen to me.
I visited the RTA head office to submit a written complaint against this injustice, but I was told that the fine was already registered in their system and they cannot help. Nobody was willing to offer a proper explanation for this fine.
Court Decision
The reader’s complaint was raised with the management of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
They responded: “We thank the valued customer for raising this. Regarding the fine that you got on August 27, 2014, we would like to inform you that based on our investigation with the inspector we identified that the fine is correct as per the Law no. 3 of 2009, issued by the Executive Council of the Dubai Government, regulating the use of the public transportation in Dubai — operating or using any security means or devices including emergency exits in unnecessary cases. As per the inspector’s statement, while he implemented his routine inspection to the bus you unfortunately operated the emergency exit in an unnecessary case, which is prohibited as per the Law no. 3, which had been stated to ensure the safety of our dear customers and we had activated this law because recently we monitored many bus users who had opened the emergency doors to escape from the inspector, which led to them being trampled under the wheels of vehicles.
“Our dear valued customer, be informed that the fine amount is not our aim but our aim is to ensure our dear customers’ safety and to provide them the most advanced transportation methods that is very comfortable, convenient and cheap. Be informed that the public transport agency had established a committee to separate grievances of public transportation users. So, you are required to contact Mr Ibrahim Selim Ibrahim at 050 6988048 to apply for a fine objection and he will do the necessary as per their department procedures. We thank you for raising this and wish you safe and smooth mobility with RTA.”
source: gulfnews.com
Tags: 000 for exiting a bus, Dubai Laws, Fined Dh2, RTA Laws, UAE Laws
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