The temporary ban on taking e-scooters has been lifted…

E-scooters might just be the most divisive mode of transport since the Greyhound bus. Some see them as high-pitched electrically whining gnats of the road/cycle path, for others they’re a vital portal to a low-cost commute. Regardless of where you stand on them (hopefully carefully and with equal weight distribution), they’re here to stay.

It’s partially in recognition of the fact that Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has now relinquished its ban on certain types of foldable E-scooter on the Metro.

A temporary ban was implimented on March 1, 2024 – but this reversal, means that E-scooters meeting a strict set of criteria, can be taken on the carriages of the Dubai Metro.

What types of E-scooter can I take on the Dubai Metro?

The following list details the protocol and requirements for taking an E-scooter on the Metro:

  • No charging of E-scooter in Dubai Metro or Tram premises
  • Turn off E-scooter power at all times during Metro or Tram premises Technical Requirements
  • Don’t block/obstruct doors, seats, aisles or emergency equipment
  • Protruding parts likely to cause injury or damage property must be covered up or retracted (e.g. handlebars and bicycle pedals)
  • No wet or dirty E-scooters allowed into Dubai Metro or Tram premises
  • Commuters are responsible for the safe carriage of their E-scooters
  • No riding of E-scooter in stations or footbridges
  • E-scooters must be folded and use the wide gates when checking in/out at Metro Stations
  • E-scooters must be folded when entering stations, platforms or onboard the trains/trams
  • Always pay attention and be aware of your E-scooter in accordance to the rule

These are the technical specifications/restrictions for transporting E-scooters on the Metro:

  • No damaged batteries
  • No emission of environmental contaminants
  • No modified E-scooters
  • No dual batteries
  • Batteries used should be compliant with international standards (i.e. UL, IEC, etc.)

Six other Metro rules you might not realise could land you a fine

  • Nap time? Maybe wait until you get home. Sleeping in passenger shelters could land you a Dhs300 penalty notice. “Checking your eyelids for holes” is not a valid excuse, sorry dads.
  • Spitting is unpleasant. Just ew. It can also be expensive if you do it on RTA property, hocking gob nuggets, alongsise littering, or” performing any act that would compromise the cleanness of Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services” carries a Dhs200 fine.
  • Carrying alcholoic beverages on public transport could result in you copping a Dhs500 fine.
  • Before the dawning of the age of social media ‘prank’ videos, there probably wasn’t a great need to incentivise against misusing the escalators. But now there is. That’ll cost you and your fledgling YouTube channel Dhs100. As will attempting to/opening the Metro doors and exiting whilst the train is in transit. The resultant hospital trip will hopefully serve as an additional lesson to not exit vehicles when they’re moving. It’s basic Darwinism.
  • No animals, unless it’s a guide dog. Dhs100 for contravension.
  • No feet on seats. Look we get it. It can be a challenging carrying around the seemingly unbearable weight of your own corpular mass all day, but common decencey dictates that you at least try to avoid ruining other pasenger’s linin pants. And if good old fashioned morality doesn’t do it for you, there’s the promise of a Dhs100 fine to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Images: Getty