Nol Card

The Nol Card is an electronic ticketing card that was released in for all mode of public transport in Dubai services, on August 2009. The word Nol is an Arabic word نول for fare. The Nol Card system was developed by Hong Kong-based company Octopus Cards Limited.[1].

Nol Card
Nol Card
LocationDubai, United Arab Emirates
LaunchedAugust 2009
Technology
  • Near field communication (NFC)
ManagerRoads and Transport Authority (Dubai)
CurrencyAED (7.50 minimum load, 1000 maximum load)
Stored-valuePay as you go
Credit expiryNone
Auto rechargeOnline recharge for Blue Card only
Unlimited useOne Day Unlimited Pass (red ticket only)
Validity
Retailed
  • Online (Blue Card only)
  • Vending machines (for red ticket)
  • Ticket offices
  • Authorized Sales Agents
  • RTA Customer Service Centers
WebsiteOfficial Website (in English)

A Nol Card is a credit-card-sized stored-value contactless 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 and Bus Terminus only. These prepaid Cards can "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 citizen 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. In 2012, RTA produces more than 5 million Nol Cards since the day it was launched (August 2009).[2]

On 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]

Usage

The Nol card can be used to pay the fare for travel on the metro, tram, buses and water buses, and for paid parking provided by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The Nol card can also be used on taxis. Currently, only 8000+ taxis including airport taxis accept the nol card. From mid 2015 onwards, all taxis will be equipped with an upgraded system to accept the Nol card along with Credit/Debit cards..

Types

There are four different types of cards available:

TypesRed Ticket Silver Gold Blue
Target users Tourists and VisitorsFrequent travelersPassengers who wish to access the gold classFrequent travelers who want their credit secured
UsageOnly metro, buses and tramAll mode of transport
Validity 90 days from the date of purchase and can be used for up to 10 journeys5 years from the date of purchase5 years from the date of issue
Special Features Unlimited one-day trip and monthly passes for the metro is availableNoneGold Class access for metro and tram
  1. Discount for students and senior citizen on metro.
  2. 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.[8]

Limited Edition Cards

The Roads & Transport Authority(RTA) launches limited editions cards to mark various occasions and events such as the National Day.

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.

See also

References
  1. "United Arab Emirates - Dubai - Octopus Hong Kong". Octopus Card Limited. Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  2. "RTA produces five million Nol cards in three years". GulfNews.com. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  3. "Nol card is 'Best Smart Card in Middle East' - Emirates 24|7". Emirates247.com. 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  4. Maceda, Cleofe (2014-08-21). "RTA hikes minimum Nol card balance". GulfNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  5. '+json.loginStatus.userName+' (2014-08-21). "NOL cards sales soar 52 per cent". GulfNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  6. (Wam). "New subscription packages for Nol cards launched". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  7. "RTA revises public transport tariff". GulfNews.com. 2014-11-05. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  8. "RtaPortal". Nol.ae. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  9. "RtaPortal". Nol.ae. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
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