RTA has put up notices on different locations near the airport and Rashid port to raise awareness among the community about the punishment that illegal transport operators will receive. This resulted in a surge of panic among the masses who are worried about getting punished on giving free rides to their friends and kin.
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) assured that the campaign is not against people who give rides to their friends and relatives as long as they do it for free.
Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency clarified that the notices were only put up to warn the tourists and the residents about the dangers of riding with illegal transport operators.
Many people who were only giving free rides to their friends or family have complained about getting questioned by the RTA inspectors. They were asked to prove their relation with people they give ride to. Al Ali explained that the inspectors are highly trained and they suspect when they are being deceived.
Motorists can call the RTA’s grievance committee at 8009090 if they are charged wrongly, he further explained.
Dubai already had a law against unofficial picking up and dropping off of commuters for money. The law charges a fine of Dh20,000 to Dh50,000 to the offender. It has recently been modified under the resolution No 6 of 2016.