Etihad Rail May Remove Passengers Who Refuse to Comply with Requests to Leave.
Etihad Rail, the UAE’s major railway project designed to connect the seven emirates and make travel easier for residents and tourists, is preparing to expand its network with the opening of Al Yalayis Station in Dubai next month. As the network grows and more stations are added, Etihad Rail has established a Passenger Charter outlining rules for travellers, along with penalties and fines for violations.
To help ensure passenger safety, security and compliance with the charter, Etihad Rail operators conduct random security checks at stations.
In certain situations, Etihad Rail personnel are authorised to ask passengers to leave a train or station immediately. For example, passengers listening to audio onboard trains must keep the volume at a reasonable level to avoid disturbing others.
If a passenger creates excessive noise or disruption by playing audio loudly, staff may ask them to disembark at the next station. They may also instruct the passenger to stop using the device, use headphones or lower the volume.
In addition, Etihad Rail personnel may ask passengers to leave a train or station if they reasonably believe the person is intoxicated, carrying intoxicating liquor or otherwise unfit to travel. The passenger may also be prevented from entering or remaining on the premises until staff are satisfied that the issue has been resolved.
A passenger may also be asked to leave if they are considered to be in an unfit or improper condition, or if their clothing could soil or damage Etihad Rail property or another passenger’s belongings.
In general, breaches of Etihad Rail’s Passenger Code of Conduct may result in removal from the train or station, as well as other penalties.
Etihad Rail Passenger Code of Conduct
The main rules for passengers include:
- Follow signs and staff instructions, queue properly and do not jump queues.
- Dress modestly and appropriately. Transparent, revealing or offensive clothing is prohibited.
- Do not carry items that could threaten, annoy, soil, damage or endanger people, property or railway facilities. Passengers may be required to remove prohibited items and cover any resulting costs.
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited in compulsory ticket areas, except in designated smoking zones. Carrying lit matches, lighters or other burning items is also prohibited.
- Possessing, consuming or dealing in controlled substances or narcotics is prohibited. Prohibited items are banned, while restricted items are permitted only when applicable requirements are met.
- Intoxicated or unfit passengers cannot enter or remain at stations or onboard trains. Where alcohol is prohibited on a service, passengers cannot bring it onboard.
- Abusive, threatening, obscene, offensive, harassing, intimidating or disruptive behaviour is prohibited.
- Do not interfere with train doors, misuse alarms, ignore safety instructions or otherwise endanger passengers or staff.
- Passengers must not pose a public health risk, including by travelling while carrying a communicable disease.
- Do not cause disturbance, annoyance or inconvenience to other passengers, staff or authorised personnel.
- Selling, advertising or distributing goods or services, as well as surveying, begging or canvassing, requires prior written permission.
- Do not damage, soil, deface, vandalise or misuse trains, equipment, furniture or facilities. Passengers may be charged for cleaning, repairs or replacement.
- Do not photograph, film or record people without their express consent.
- Commercial photography, filming or recording requires prior written authorisation.
- Littering and spitting are prohibited.
- Food and beverages should only be consumed in designated areas. Waste must be disposed of in the provided bins, while strong-smelling food and drinks or items likely to spill, stain or cause damage are prohibited.
What happens if a passenger refuses to leave?
If a passenger is reasonably believed to have breached the rules and refuses to leave when instructed, Etihad Rail personnel or an authorised person may remove them using reasonable force. This is in addition to any other penalties or consequences arising from the breach.
Before removing a passenger, staff or an authorised person will explain the nature of the breach in general terms.
Can a passenger be banned from Etihad Rail?
Yes. Repeatedly travelling without a valid ticket may result in a passenger being refused access to Etihad Rail services.
A ticket is considered valid if it shows the correct date, time and passenger name and has not already been used.
