The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has completed 40 percent of its nol system upgrade, moving from the current card-based ticketing system to account-based ticketing (ABT) technology.
The AED550 million project is scheduled for completion by the end of Q3 2026.
“Given the scale of the project, which has a total cost of AED550 million, it has been divided into three key phases,” Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
RTA to introduce biometric payments for Dubai public transport
The first phase involves upgrading the central system to create digital accounts for users, linking them to existing nol cards.
In the second phase, a new generation of nol cards will be introduced with technologies compatible with international banking card standards.
The third and final phase will complete the system upgrade, enabling alternative payment methods including bank cards and digital wallets for public transport fare payments across Dubai.
“Upgrading the nol system will introduce several advanced features and benefits for users. The new system will enable account creation, allowing users to link their nol cards to digital accounts, add nol cards to smartphone wallets, and purchase tickets using QR code technology via digital channels. It will also implement the flexible fare concept across public transport,” Al Tayer said.
The upgraded system will allow users to create and manage their accounts, link personal and family members’ nol cards, and control account settings, including allocating top-up amounts for each card.
Users will be able to activate automatic balance top-ups by linking their accounts to banking services, view daily transaction statements, and suspend cards and retrieve balances.
The enhancement of systems, devices, and smart kiosks at public transport stations will support new payment technologies, enabling users to pay fares using methods such as QR code ticketing, next-generation nol cards, facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, bank cards, and digital wallets.
Beyond public transport, the upgraded system will extend nol card usage to purchases across digital platforms and retail outlets in the UAE, similar to bank cards.
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