Etihad Rail has warned passengers that travelling without a valid ticket or misusing discounted fares could result in a Dh200 fine, denial of service and possible legal action.

Under the company’s Passenger Charter, travellers must have a valid ticket before boarding an Etihad Rail train or bus. A ticket is valid only when it carries the correct passenger name, date and travel time, and has not already been used.

What can lead to a Dh200 fine?

Etihad Rail lists four key violations that can attract a Dh200 penalty:

• Travelling without a valid ticket, including using a ticket issued in someone else’s name.
• Deliberately avoiding payment of the correct fare.
• Using a discounted or category-specific ticket without being eligible.
• Forging, altering or fraudulently obtaining a ticket.

Invalid or fraudulent tickets may be confiscated by authorised staff, with no compensation payable for confiscated tickets.

Passengers found without a valid ticket may also have to purchase a Flexible ticket at the applicable fare for their journey.

Ticket checks can happen throughout the journey

Passengers must carry their ticket and valid identification and produce them when requested by Etihad Rail staff or authorised personnel.

Checks can take place at departure stations, during the journey, at intermediate stations and when passengers leave the platform at their destination.

Travellers using electronic tickets are responsible for ensuring their phones have enough battery to display the ticket when required.

Passengers must also travel in the coach and seat shown on their ticket, unless instructed otherwise by Etihad Rail.

Repeat offenders could face travel bans

Etihad Rail said repeated or serious violations could lead to passengers being refused travel, required to end their journey or barred from using its services for a specified or indefinite period.

The company may also refer cases to the relevant authorities, including the Public Prosecution. Additional penalties, including imprisonment where provided by law, may apply.

Passengers denied travel or service because of a violation may not be entitled to a refund or compensation.

Etihad Rail also prohibits buying tickets from unauthorised sources, altering tickets to defraud the company, or transferring unused or partially used tickets where the ticket conditions do not allow it.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has introduced a walk-in facility for eligible applicants seeking passport, visa, attestation and other consular services at Alhind Tours and Travels centres across the UAE.

Walk-ins will be accepted from 9am to 1pm at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres operated by Alhind.

The facility is available to:

• Tatkaal passport applicants
• Newborn cases
• Emergency Certificate applicants
• Senior citizens
• People of determination

The embassy has advised applicants to book appointments online whenever possible. Walk-in requests will be processed subject to available slots.

Alhind centres and appointments

Appointments can be booked online through the service portal. Regular service hours at the centres are 8am to 6pm.

Alhind charges a Dh19 service fee, including VAT, in addition to applicable Indian government fees. The fee covers services such as form filling, photographs, document typing, printouts, photocopies and domestic courier services.

Indian passport fees increased

Indian passport fees were increased from July 1, marking the first revision in 14 years.

For an ordinary fresh passport or reissue with 36 pages, the fee is now Dh96under the normal scheme and Dh190 under Tatkaal, up from Dh57 and Dh134 respectively.

For a 60-page passport, the new fees are Dh134 for normal applications and Dh230 for Tatkaal, compared with Dh78 and Dh153 previously.

The fee revision also applies to Indian nationals living overseas, with the corresponding charges set in local or applicable foreign-currency terms.

Dubai is expanding its push for cleaner urban deliveries, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) rolling out an e-bike delivery service across 11 authorised locations in the emirate.

Designed for short-distance trips, the service aims to reduce dependence on conventional delivery vehicles while making last-mile deliveries more efficient and improving connections within busy communities and commercial areas.

The expansion follows a successful trial and adds seven more locations to the service.

Where the e-bike service is available

The newly authorised locations include:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
• Dubai Media City
• Al Twar 1
• Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
• Al Twar 2
• Al Qusais 1
• Dubai Marina

Faster, greener last-mile deliveries

The e-bike service gives delivery riders an alternative for shorter journeys, particularly in areas where larger vehicles can be less practical.

By supporting first- and last-mile connectivity, the initiative is intended to help riders move between delivery points more efficiently while easing reliance on conventional vehicles for short trips.

The rollout is part of Dubai’s broader drive to promote sustainable transport and smarter urban mobility. Expanding e-bike deliveries is expected to support a more efficient delivery network while contributing to the emirate’s longer-term environmental and mobility objectives.