Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to install an Automated Passenger Counting (APC) system in its new buses to combat fare evasion. This system will track actual passenger numbers and compare them with automated fare collection data. Currently, Dubai's bus system relies on passengers to tap their Nol cards voluntarily upon entry and exit, but some passengers skip this step. Those caught evading fares will face a Dh200 fine.
The APC system will be implemented in the 636 new buses scheduled for deployment over the next two years, including 40 electric buses, 146 articulated and double-decker buses for high-density areas, and 450 city service buses. Additionally, most of these buses will feature Raqeeb, a driver behavior monitoring system, to enhance safety and improve driver conduct, along with a driver identity authentication system linked to the operating system.
The APC system operates by monitoring and counting passengers as they board and alight the bus. Counting sensors will accurately detect passengers as they pass through the doorway, providing real-time data to verify the number of passengers against those who have tapped their Nol cards and paid the fare. Beyond fare collection, this system can also help determine passenger demand and optimize bus deployment on specific lines and times.
In April of the previous year, during a six-day inspection, the RTA caught 1,193 commuters evading bus fares. Saeed Al Balushi, director of passenger transport activities monitoring at RTA’s Public Transport Agency, emphasized that the RTA conducts year-round inspection campaigns across Dubai to detect violations and urged commuters to use their Nol cards for fare payments. He highlighted that this measure ensures optimal use of RTA's transportation resources and supports efforts to meet the needs of UAE residents and international visitors.
RTA operates a fleet of 1,518 buses, serving a network of 119 internal lines, including 35 lines connecting to metro stations, 12 intercity lines, 62 internal lines, and 8 fast lines. This network covers 82% of urban areas in Dubai and transports approximately 369,248 passengers daily.
