DUBAI, UAE: In a bid to curb fare evasion, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will introduce an Automated Passenger Counting (APC) System to be installed in new buses.
The system works by recording actual passenger numbers and matching them against the automated fare collection.
Currently, the bus system in Dubai lets the passengers enter the bus in good faith that they will tap their Nol Cards upon entering and exiting the bus.
However, there have been instances where passengers have skipped doing it. Commuters in Dubai caught dodging bus fares will get a fine of Dh200.
The APC system will be installed in the 636 new buses that will be deployed this year and next year including 40 electric buses, 146 articulated and double-decker buses for high-density areas and 450 city service buses.
Most of the buses will also be equipped with Raqeeb, a driver behaviour monitoring system that will help improve driver conduct and enhance passenger safety. There will also be a driver identity authentication that will be linked to the operating system.
H.H. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA, commented: “The procurement of these new buses is part of a master plan to elevate the public transport system in Dubai to bring it in line with the top international standards. Our goal is… pic.twitter.com/GIeZewdSod
— RTA (@rta_dubai) July 21, 2024
