The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has made significant progress in upgrading its nol system, having completed 40 percent of the transition from a card-based ticketing system to an advanced account-based ticketing (ABT) technology. The project, which is set to complete by the end of Q3 2026, follows global best practices in digital payments and financial technology (fintech).
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, highlighted the scale of the project, noting its total cost of Dh550 million. He explained that the project will be executed in three phases. The first phase involves upgrading the central system to create digital accounts for users, linking them to their existing nol cards. The second phase will introduce a new generation of nol cards featuring advanced technologies compatible with international banking card standards.
The third and final phase will see the full system upgrade, allowing the acceptance of alternative payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets, for public transport fare payments across Dubai.
Al Tayer emphasized that the system upgrade will bring numerous benefits, including the ability for users to create and manage accounts, link multiple nol cards, and customize account settings, such as top-up amounts for each card. Users will also have the option to activate automatic balance top-ups, view daily transaction statements, and easily suspend cards and retrieve balances.
The upgraded system will introduce various payment methods, such as QR code ticketing, the next generation of nol cards, facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, and digital wallets. The system will also extend the use of nol cards beyond public transport, enabling purchases across digital platforms and retail outlets in the UAE, similar to bank cards.
Since its launch in 2009, alongside the inauguration of Dubai Metro, the nol system has undergone numerous improvements, including incentives for students and tourists, and the introduction of nol card payments for shared mobility services such as e-scooters. The ongoing upgrades further strengthen Dubai’s position as a leader in smart mobility and seamless transportation experiences.
