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Set to be available in the third quarter of 2020
9 October 2019
| Last updated on 19 January 2020
The new initiative will allow passengers to top up their Nol card from their phones
Nol cards - one of the easiest things to misplace along with spare change and socks.
Soon, commuters in Dubai will no longer have to worry about losing their public transport pass and buy replacements, thanks to the unveiled "virtual Nol card" at GITEX 2019.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the move will enable commuters to pass through metro card gates, and pay their bus, tram, or marine transport fares with just a tap of their smartphone. The virtual version of the Nol card will include the same features as a regular, physical card, including using it to pay public parking fees, refuel at gas stations, shop at select retail outlets, and more.
Passengers can also top up the digital cards directly from their stored credit/debit cards.
Mohammed Al Khayat, Director of Automated Fare Collection at RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, said they are "...planning to roll out the virtual nol card in the third quarter of 2020."
Later on, all the existing Nol card functions will be added to the virtual card.
RTA goes green and paperless
"Offering this initiative couldn’t have come at a better time as Dubai is heading towards the hosting of a big event, Expo 2020,” he added.
The initiative aims to boost the government's dedication of driving Dubai's ranking as the smartest city in the world. On top of a Smart Dubai, the new virtual Nol cards contribute to realising a host of RTA’s goals, namely people's happiness and asset sustainability through a green, paperless service.
"Virtual nol is part of Digital nol Strategy 2018-2022 aimed at achieving the smart transformation of payment means and using advanced technologies in transit services,” concluded Al Khayat.
