From August 17, 2015 Dubai Metro passengers will have to recharge their nol cards for at least AED 50 at the ticketing counters as directed by the Roads and Transport Authority. Such change has emerged strongly showing the direction to change the fare policy and modifying the existing public transport system in the city.
Through its official X (ex Twitter) account the RTA has officially stated, “Your Public Transport journeys are smoother with #RTA’s digital channels Top up your nol Card with any desired amount through nol Pay app, the RTA website and or the RTA Dubai app in advance to save your precious time; From August 17, 2024, the minimum amount to top up at Metro stations ticket offices will be AED
While the new minimum is implemented for ticket offices only, passengers can always choose more free-form nol Pay methods with the help of the nol Pay app, the RTA website, or the RTA Dubai app. Such top-ups can be carried out in a number of ways – at any of the kiosks within Metro stations and at the ENOC/EPPCO petrol stations and the users are free to load any amount that they wish depending on the amount of travel that they desire.
It is the RTA’s plan to expand digital transactions and optimize metro processes at the basis of its actions. As with the convenience store operators, the authority wants passengers to embrace online top-ups given that the digital services are more convenient meaning passengers do not have to waste time in queues at ticket counters.
These changes in the fare system are viewed as due to escalating demand and requirements for better organization of PT assets. Organizing this aspect of financing is what the RTA expects to achieve by raising the minimum for ticket office top-ups to a higher level.
For the average everyday metro users this is a good reminder that there are digital options for topping up the nol cards for the use of all the other public transport in Dubai.
