Dubai: Dubai Metro commuters can now top up their Nol cards using smart payment gateways Apple Pay and Samsung Pay as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) revamps metro payment system.
The move is part of RTA’s efforts to upgrade the payment services, while easing access for commuters across several metro stations.
“Dubai Metro, in cooperation with service provider Network International, has commissioned the first phase of smart card payment terminals, enabling customers to use smart payment services such as Samsung Pay and Apple Pay or payment by Nol card at the ticket windows,” said Mohammad Al Mudharreb, Director of Rail Operations at RTA’s Rail Agency.
He added that the commuters can now use the secure smartphone payment gateways and Nol E-purse payment service at all Dubai Metro ticket windows.
“We used a comprehensive process of verifying fare system data against operational performance. The Rail Agency then used the outcomes to verify this performance and compare it with inputs from customers and stakeholders’ requests to identify the best way forward to increase our customers’ happiness,” said Al Mudharreb.
The Rail Agency began work on the upgrade early this year and recently completed series of enhancement initiatives.
“After completion of the equipment selection and installation process, many Red Line and Green Line Station facilities have been upgraded and a new smart payment service was introduced at all Dubai Metro stations. All staff are trained to assist the customers on this new service,” added Al Mudharreb.
He said that the upgrade is scheduled at more stations later this year as part of the ongoing preparations for Expo 2020.
“We advise our customers to keep an eye on new announcements later this year,” said Al Mudharreb.
The upgrade included installation of 10 more ticket vending machines and six more points of sale machines at ticket windows at key stations like Dubai World Trade Centre, Ibn Battuta, Oud Metha and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall.
RTA also installed 13 new fare gates at Noor Islamic Bank Station, Stadium Station and Deira City Centre Station, while optimising gate directions at five more stations such as Rashidiya and Mall of the Emirates.
The new gates at Deira City Centre Station has eased the rush at the busy station registering 22,719 entries/exits in the first weekend followed by more than 10,000 passengers using the new gates on a daily basis.
