Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed 72% of the project to upgrade its existing nol ticketing system from a traditional card-based ticketing (CBT) platform to a modern account-based ticketing (ABT) digital payment system.
The upgraded platform is designed to become one of the most advanced digital payment systems of its kind. It will support the latest financial technology and digital payment standards while following international best practices. According to RTA, all phases of the project are expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
RTA Says Upgrade Supports Dubai’s Digital Transformation
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the nol system upgrade is an important part of RTA’s wider digital transformation plans.
He stated that the project is a long-term investment aimed at improving digital services. The upgraded platform will create a unified payment system connecting different transport services while increasing operational efficiency and making travel easier for customers.
Al Tayer added that the project also supports Dubai’s vision of using advanced technology to simplify government services, improve customer experience, and strengthen the city's position as one of the best places to live, work, and travel.
New Payment Options to Improve Customer Experience
According to Al Tayer, the upgraded nol system will provide customers with more payment choices and easier access to transport services through modern digital payment methods.
He said the new platform will strengthen the role of the nol card as a comprehensive digital payment solution. It also supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy by encouraging digital transactions and improving integration across different sectors, allowing the nol card to be used for more everyday payments.
Project Will Be Completed in Three Phases
The RTA has divided the large-scale upgrade into three major phases.
The first phase will introduce QR code ticketing through digital channels, allowing passengers to purchase and use transport tickets digitally.
The second phase will launch a new generation of nol cards built on updated technology that meets global standards. These new cards will be compatible with bank card technology and will automatically link to customer accounts when purchased.
The third phase will complete the transition by allowing customers to pay public transport fares using additional payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets.
New Features for nol Card Users
The upgraded system will introduce several new features to improve convenience for customers.
Users will be able to create personal accounts, link their nol cards to those accounts, and add their cards to smartphone digital wallets. They will also be able to purchase transport tickets using QR codes through digital channels and benefit from flexible fare options across different public transport services.
Customers will have the option to manage their own nol cards as well as cards belonging to family members. The system will allow users to allocate separate top-up amounts for each linked card, activate automatic balance top-ups through linked bank accounts, view daily transaction records, block lost cards, and recover remaining balances.
More Payment Methods Across Public Transport
RTA is also upgrading systems, ticketing devices, and smart kiosks across public transport stations to support the new payment technologies.
Once completed, passengers will be able to pay fares using QR code tickets, the new generation of nol cards, bank cards, and digital wallets, providing greater flexibility while travelling across Dubai.
nol Cards to Be Used Beyond Public Transport
The upgraded payment system will also expand the use of nol cards beyond public transport services.
With the introduction of the new technology, customers will be able to use the next-generation nol cards for shopping through digital platforms and at retail stores across the UAE, similar to the way bank cards are used.
nol System Continues to Expand Since 2009
The RTA launched the nol system on 9 September 2009, alongside the opening of the Dubai Metro, to make public transport payments easier for passengers.
In recent years, RTA has introduced several new initiatives linked to the nol card. These include the nol Student Package, developed in partnership with the International Student Identity Card Association (ISIC Association), offering students access to dedicated discounts worldwide.
The authority has also introduced promotional nol Travel cards for residents and tourists and enabled nol card payments for soft mobility services, including e-scooters. This integration supports Dubai’s first- and last-mile transport strategy, with nol-based payments for soft mobility considered among the pioneering applications worldwide.
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