A Nol Card is a credit-card-sizedstored-valuecontactless smartcard that can hold prepaid funds to pay for fares on buses and trains within one or more of four "zones". The credit must be added to the card before travel. Passengers "tag on" and "tag off" their card on electronic gates at the metro station or electronic terminals in buses when entering and leaving the transport system in order to validate it or deduct funds. Initially, the cards can be purchased only from Metro Stations, Bus Terminals and some Bus Stop ticket machines. These prepaid cards can be "topped-up" online, at ticket machines, or at ticketing offices by credit, debit card or cash. The card is designed to reduce the number of transactions at ticket offices and the number of paper tickets. Usage is encouraged by offering cheaper fares than the paper ticketed option, although there is a fee to purchase the card. Unlimited one-day trip and monthly passes for the metro is only available with the Nol Red Ticket. The Blue Nol Card offers concessions for students, UAE national senior citizens and the disabled.
The number of daily transactions of Nol cards currently tops 1.5 million transactions, which includes passengers’ entry/exit from Metro and bus stations, payment of parking fees, and recharging of cards. By 2012, RTA had produced more than 5 million Nol Cards since the day it was launched (August 2009).[2]
In June 2013, The Nol card was awarded the Best Prepaid Card in the Middle East in the Smart Card Awards Middle East 2013.[3]
Timeline
In 2013, The Nol card was awarded the Best Prepaid Card in the Middle East in the Smart Card Awards Middle East 2013.
On 26 September 2013, RTA announced the Smart Nol.
On 21 August 2014, RTA increased the minimum balance from AED 1.80 (US$0.49) to AED 7.50 (US$2.04) to avoid journey interruptions.[4]
On 21 August 2014, RTA saw 52% increase on Nol Card sales since January 2014.[5]
On 21 October 2014, RTA announced new subscription package for the Nol Card.[6]
On 6 November 2014, RTA revised the public transport tariff, to take effect on 11 November 2014.[7]
Nol Plus Loyalty Program: Launched in 2019, Nol Plus is a rewards program by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that allows cardholders to earn points and receive special benefits when using their Nol Card for public transport in Dubai. Members can use the earned points to top up their Nol account or avail of discounts while shopping or eating at select restaurants.
On 15 January 2024, RTA sets AED20 as the minimum top-up requirement for nol cards.
On January 5, 2024, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a new minimum top-up requirement for Nol Cards, setting AED 20 as the minimum amount for recharging the card from 15 January 2024.
This change highlights the RTA's commitment to promoting sustainable and cost-effective transportation in Dubai, as well as its continuous efforts to improve the overall transportation experience for residents and visitors.The new minimum top-up requirement is designed to:
Encourage the use of public transportation, as a higher minimum balance on the card reduces the cost per trip compared to using individual paper tickets.
Ensure a seamless and convenient payment experience for users, as they can easily recharge their Nol Cards online[8] or at various locations such as RTA customer service centers, ticket offices, and vending machines.
Promote the use of the Nol Card for daily commuting, as the minimum balance is low enough for most users to cover their daily transportation needs.
By setting a minimum top-up requirement of AED 20, the RTA aims to promote sustainable and cost-effective transportation in Dubai, making it more accessible and convenient for users to access public transport services.
Usage
The Nol Card is a widely used electronic ticketing card in Dubai's public transport system, with a significant number of daily transactions across various modes of transportation. Some key aspects of its usage include:
Number of transactions: The Nol Card has been used for over 3.4 billion occasions since the launch of the Dubai Metro in August 2009.
Cards produced: By 2012, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had produced more than 5 million Nol Cards since the launch of the Dubai Metro in September 2009.
Number of daily transactions: The Nol Card is used for over 1.5 million times daily, encompassing passengers' entry and exit from Metro and bus stations, payment of parking fees, and card recharging.
Modes of transport: The card can be used on Dubai Metro, Buses, Dubai Tram, and marine transport modes like Water Buses, as well as for RTA Paid Parking.
Taxis: Nol Card can also be used to pay for taxi rides, with a growing number of taxis in Dubai accepting the card. By mid-2015, all taxis will be equipped with an upgraded system to accept the Nol Card and credit/debit cards.
Concessions: The Blue Nol Card offers discounts for students, UAE national senior citizens, and people with disabilities on metro travel, while the Gold Card provides access to Metro and Tram Gold Class with double the regular fare.
The Nol Card's widespread use and growing popularity in Dubai's public transport system highlight its significance and effectiveness in promoting a seamless and convenient transportation experience for residents and visitors alike.
Types
There are four different types of cards available:
Types
Red Ticket
Silver
Gold
Blue
Target users
Tourists and Visitors
Frequent travelers
Passengers who wish to access the gold class
Frequent travelers who want their credit secured
Usage
Only metro, buses and tram
All mode of transport
Validity
90 days from the date of purchase and can be used for up to 10 journeys
5 years from the date of purchase
5 years from the date of issue
Special Features
Unlimited one-day trip and monthly passes for the metro is available
Discount for students and senior citizen on metro.
People with disabilities can travel for free on metro.
Special Design
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has made a new edition of the Personalized Blue Nol cards featuring special designs of Dubai landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Bastakiya, Clock Roundabout, and the Trade Center in a bid to familiarize visitors, as well as residents, with iconic landmarks of the Emirate.[9]
Limited Edition Cards
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) launches limited editions cards to mark various occasions and events such as the National Day. One recent limited edition card was themed after Expo 2020.
Smart Nol
Announced on 26 November 2013, The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced its partnership with Etisalat & du to launch its first ‘Smart Nol’ Service.[9] Smart Nol is similar to Apple Pay and Google Wallet tap and pay, Smart Nol uses NFC enabled smart phones to check-in and check-out of the metro, bus, water bus and metro parking.
Requirements
Smart Nol requires NFC SIM from Etisalat or du and a compatible handset.
Nol Plus
Nol Plus is a rewards program that was initiated by Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai) in 2019.[10] Nol Plus is spent by points where the traveler could redeem points by spending their Nol Card on any channels such as the Public Transport. 1 AED is to 1 point and the traveler could also redeem points in the official website where 10 AED is to 1000 points.
