Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has finished 72 percent of its ambitious project to transform the nol card system from card-based ticketing into a fully digital, account-based payment platform, with the entire upgrade set for completion by the first quarter of 2027.
The initiative represents one of RTA's most significant digital transformation efforts to date. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, described the upgrade as a strategic investment that will create a unified payment ecosystem linking transport modes and services across the emirate.
The project is being rolled out in three phases. The first introduces QR code ticketing through digital channels. The second brings a new generation of nol cards built on updated technology, compatible with bank card systems and automatically linked to customer accounts upon purchase. The third and final phase will allow fares to be paid using bank cards and digital wallets alongside traditional nol cards.
Once complete, customers will be able to create personal accounts, link multiple cards including those of family members, set individual top-up amounts, and enable automatic recharging through bank account connections. Users will also gain access to daily transaction statements, card blocking features, and balance recovery tools.
Beyond public transport, the upgraded nol cards will function like standard bank cards, usable for shopping at retail outlets and digital platforms across the UAE.
Al Tayer noted the upgrade supports Dubai's Cashless Strategy and reinforces the city's ambitions around smart, integrated urban services.
Since its 2009 launch alongside Dubai Metro, nol has expanded steadily, most recently through student discount packages and integration with e-scooter payments, marking one of the first such applications globally.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
