Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the completion of 72% of the project to develop and upgrade the existing nol system, currently operating on card-based ticketing (CBT), into a digital payment system powered by account-based ticketing (ABT). The upgraded system will be the latest and most advanced of its kind, keeping pace with global developments in digital payments and financial technology in line with international best practices. All phases of the project are scheduled for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
According to Emirates News Agency, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, stated that the nol system upgrade marks a strategic step in RTA's comprehensive digital transformation journey and represents a strategic investment in the future of digital services. It will enable RTA to develop a unified, more integrated payment ecosystem linking various modes of transport and services, while delivering high levels of operational efficiency and customer convenience.
Al Tayer emphasized that the project aligns with the vision of the leadership to harness advanced technology to simplify government services, enhance the customer experience, and make Dubai a leading city for living, working, and mobility. The new system will enhance customer experience by expanding payment options and enabling modern payment methods, streamlining procedures, and making services more accessible.
He outlined that the project has been divided into three main phases: the first involving the launch of QR code ticketing through digital channels, the second focusing on the rollout of the new generation of nol cards equipped with new technologies, and the third completing the system upgrade to accept other payment methods such as bank cards and digital wallets for public transport fares.
Al Tayer highlighted the range of features and benefits the nol system upgrade will offer customers, including creating customer accounts, linking nol cards to accounts, adding nol cards to smartphone digital wallets, and purchasing tickets via QR code technology. Customers will also be able to manage profiles, allocate top-up amounts, activate automatic top-up through bank account linkage, view transaction statements, block cards, and recover balances seamlessly.
The upgrade of systems, devices, and smart kiosks at public transport stations will accommodate the new payment technologies, allowing customers to pay fares through QR code tickets, the new generation of nol cards, bank cards, and digital wallets. The new system will extend the use of nol cards beyond public transport, enabling shopping across digital channels and retail outlets across the UAE, similar to bank cards.
RTA launched the nol system on 9th September 2009, in conjunction with the launch of Dubai Metro, to facilitate mobility for public transport users. Recent initiatives for nol cards include the nol Student Package in collaboration with the International Student Identity Card Association, providing discounts for students, and promotional nol Travel cards for tourists and residents. The nol card payments have also been extended to soft mobility modes like e-scooters, supporting the first- and last-mile strategy, marking it as one of the pioneering applications globally.