Hafilat cards mandatory on Friday

Abu Dhabi: Using coins on public transport buses in the capital will become obsolete on Friday when the new smart payment system, Hafilat (buses), becomes active.

The Hafilat payment system was first introduced in 2013 and residents believed that regulated payment for public bus transport using cards would curb the problem of fraud by joyriders that exists under the current system due to drivers’ failure to check the validity of Ojra cards.

During the first phase of the Hafilat project, using coins to pay for trips will not be accepted but the current Ojra cards can be used until November this year. Ticket vending machines can be seen across the capital at major shopping outlets, medical clinics, government buildings and bus stations.

Additionally, 155 recharge stations will be placed at ventilated bus shelters and plans to transform all bus sheltered to contain air conditioning are under way in a five-year plan.

Under the new payment plan, commuters are charged per kilometre.

The new system states that all one-way trips inside the city cost a fixed Dh2 while travelling to other areas such as al Ain and the Western Region runs at an additional Dh0.05 per kilometre travelled.

Meanwhile, inter-emirate travel starts at Dh10, plus Dh0.1 for every kilometre travelled.

The Hafilat cards are divided into categories that cater to individuals with different preferences including seniors and those with special needs.

Temporary, paper-based cards expire in 14 days and can be topped with up to Dh150 while another can be used only within the city and contains a fixed Dh30. These cards can be renewed within their period of validity.

All permanent cards can be credited with up to Dh150 at a time and can be used at Dh30 per week or Dh80 per month for transportation within the city.

Students are eligible for an annual Dh500 card within the city and Dh150 per year for inter-emirate travel.