Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is taking significant steps to address fare evasion by introducing an automated passenger counting (APC) system in its upcoming fleet of buses.
According to a Khaleej Times report, this system aims to accurately track the number of passengers and ensure they correspond with the automated fare collection data.
Under the current system, passengers are trusted to tap their Nol cards when boarding and alighting buses. However, there have been numerous instances of fare evasion. To tackle this issue, the RTA plans to install the APC system in 636 new buses, including 40 electric buses, 146 articulated and double-decker buses designed for high-density areas, and 450 city service buses. This implementation will take place over the next two years.
The APC system uses sensors to instantly and accurately count passengers as they enter and exit the bus, providing real-time data. This data helps in comparing the number of passengers to those who have tapped their Nol cards, ensuring proper fare collection. Additionally, the system can analyze passenger demand to optimize bus deployment on various routes and times.
Most of the new buses will also be equipped with the Raqeeb system, which monitors driver behavior to enhance passenger safety. This system includes driver identity authentication linked to the operating system.
In a previous inspection campaign, the RTA reported that 1,193 commuters were caught evading fares over six days. Saeed Al Balushi, Director of Passenger Transport Activities Monitoring at the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, emphasized the importance of fare payment for the optimal use of transportation services. The RTA operates a fleet of 1,518 buses covering 119 routes, with 82% of Dubai’s urban areas included in the network, serving approximately 369,248 passengers daily.