Dubai to launch virtual Nol transit card
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to introduce a mobile version of its Nol transit card next year. This will enable both tourists and local residents to use their NFC enabled smartphones to travel on the metro, tram, bus and maritime public transportation services.
According to the RTA, the Nol virtual card is planned to be launched in the third quarter of 2020. This will be followed by subsequent stages through which all the functions of the current Nol card will be introduced to it.
NFC transit ticketing has been available in Dubai since 2013 however it has been restricted to Nol transit card holders who have a contract with local mobile network providers. The new system, set to roll out in 2020 will allow travelers to load a digital-only Nol virtual card onto their NFC smartphone, add credit to their account from their phone and then use it to pay for their fares.
Nol transit card presented on GITEX 2019
The new initiative was launched by the RTA at GITEX 2019 exhibition which started in Sunday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“It is part of a new package of solutions and applications in support of Nol card users enabling the commuters smooth payment of public transport fare as well as other payments such as parking fees, shopping at certain retail outlets, and the petrol station among others,” said a senior RTA official.
“We are keen to familiarise the public with this initiative for buying the virtual Nol card and saving it in their mobile phones, said Mohammed Al Khayat, Director of Automated Fare Collection at RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector.
In addition to this, the RTA also signed a contract last week with Mastercard for a study into the viability of adding the ability for passengers to use their bank cards to pay their fares.
