Dubai: Dubai transport authorities say the public used electronic Nol cards 3.4 billion times in the last seven years to ride public transport such as Dubai Metro, buses and taxis.
Nol cars were introduced in September 2009 as pre-paid access cards to ride public transport.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued 48 million cards/tickets — resulting in the Nol cards being processed 2.4 million times a day in the city.
Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that of the 48 million Nol cards produced, “these include 34 million Nol red tickets, 13 million Nol silver cards, 1.4 million Nol gold cards and 64,000 Nol blue cards … Nol cards are sold by more than 1,000 selling, recharging machines in various parts of Dubai and 50 sales agents”.
“The automated collection system used by the RTA featuring Nol cards and the e-purse has become one of the key smart payment platforms in Dubai with an immense contribution to supporting the Dubai Government transition towards the smartest and happiest city worldwide,” Al Tayer said.
Not to rest on its laurels, Al Tayer said the RTA is working with Smart Dubai to allow consumers to use their Nol cards for other micro-payment purchases.
“RTA has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Smart Dubai office endorsing the use of Nol card as a means of a smart payment for micro payment processes in Dubai. It has also signed an MoU with Dubai Municipality providing for the use of nol card in collecting the entry fee of four parks in Dubai, and the uses of nol cards are set to expand in future,” he said.
“In 2010, RTA, in collaboration with the Emirates NBD Bank, issued a combined credit card considered the first of its kind in the Middle East. The card has the dual features of a bank credit card as well as a Nol card. Holders can use the card to perform payments as a credit card, smart contactless technology card, and a Nol card for fares of various RTA’s public transit systems,” said Al Tayer.
