RTA has completed 40% of the upgrade for the nol digital payment system

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has made significant progress in upgrading its nol digital payment system, completing 40% of the transition to a more advanced account-based ticketing (ABT) system. This upgrade aims to modernize the way people pay for public transport in Dubai, making transactions easier and more convenient.

This project is designed to replace the current card-based system with a digital account-based system, aligning Dubai’s transport payment methods with the latest global trends in financial technology. The upgrade is expected to be fully completed by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, explained that due to the large scale of the project, which involves an investment of AED 550 million, it has been divided into three key phases. The first phase focuses on upgrading the central system to allow users to create digital accounts linked to their existing nol cards. The second phase will introduce a new generation of nol cards with advanced technology that ensures compatibility with banking cards. The third and final phase will complete the system upgrade, allowing public transport users to pay fares using alternative payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets.

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Once the upgrade is complete, the nol system will offer many new features to improve convenience for users. People will be able to create digital accounts, link multiple nol cards for themselves and their family members, and set spending limits for each card. They will also have the option to add their nol cards to smartphone wallets, making it easier to make payments on the go. Public transport fares can be paid using QR codes, which will streamline the payment process. The system will also support automatic balance top-ups, where users can link their accounts to banks for seamless recharges. In addition, users will have access to detailed transaction records, the ability to suspend lost cards, and an option to recover remaining balances.

RTA is also upgrading ticketing machines and smart kiosks at public transport stations to support new payment technologies, including facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, and digital wallets. One of the biggest advantages of this system is that nol cards will not be limited to public transport payments but will also be accepted for shopping, just like a bank card. This means users can use their nol cards for transactions at retail stores and online platforms across the UAE, making it a multi-purpose payment solution.

The nol system was first introduced on 9 September 2009 alongside the launch of the Dubai Metro, allowing passengers to travel seamlessly across different modes of public transport. Over the years, RTA has expanded its features, including offering student discounts through a partnership with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), launching nol Terhaal cards with special promotions for tourists and residents, and enabling nol payments for shared mobility services such as e-scooters, supporting first- and last-mile connectivity.

With this upgrade, RTA is setting a new standard for digital payments in the UAE, making travel and daily transactions more convenient, efficient, and secure for all Dubai residents and visitors.