Dubai’s RTA Advances Nol Digital Payment Upgrade with 40% Completion
Dubai: The upgrade of the nol card system has reached a significant milestone with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) successfully completing 40% of the transition to an upgraded account-based ticketing (ABT) system.
As part of a Dh550 million effort to update Dubai’s public transportation payment system, full implementation is anticipated by the end of Q3 2026.
Phased Rollout for Seamless Integration
Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General of RTA and the Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, described the three stages of this extensive upgrade:
Central System Upgrade: To improve account management and access, the first phase focuses on creating digital accounts for users and linking them to their existing Nol cards.
Next Generation Nol Cards: In the second phase, a modernized Nol card with cutting-edge technology will be introduced, ensuring that it will work with global banking standards for smooth transactions.
Alternative Payment Integration: The final phase will expand payment options, enabling users to pay for public transport fares using bank cards, digital wallets, QR codes, and biometric authentication methods such as facial recognition and fingerprints.
Enhanced Features for Users
The Nol Card upgrade will extend its use beyond its usual functionality on public transport, to include a range of retail outlets and online platforms in the UAE, similar to conventional bank cards. With this upgrade, Nol is positioned as a flexible digital payment option that fits into the city’s larger smart economy framework.
By updating its ticketing system, RTA hopes to improve consumer convenience, speed up payment procedures and cement Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart transport solutions..
Expanding Nol Usage Beyond Public Transport
The Nol Card upgrade will extend its use beyond its usual functionality on public transport, to include a range of retail outlets and online platforms in the UAE, similar to conventional bank cards. With this upgrade, Nol is positioned as a flexible digital payment option that fits into the city’s larger smart economy framework.
By updating its ticketing system, RTA hopes to improve consumer convenience, speed up payment procedures and cement Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart transport solutions.