Dubai is preparing for one of the biggest changes in its urban transportation system; a change that aims to make the experience of using the metro, buses, and other RTA services completely digital and simpler.

The RTA has announced that 72% of the Nol Card system upgrade project has been completed; a system that has been the main companion of public transportation in Dubai since 2009.

However, the new version of Nol is not just a 'simple update'; it is becoming an Account-Based Ticketing system. This means that not everything will be stored on a physical card anymore, but a central digital account will manage all payments.

This change means that starting in 2027, passengers will be able to travel using QR codes, digital wallets, bank cards, or the new generation of Nol cards, without the need for manual top-ups or carrying multiple cards.

In the first phase, QR tickets will enter the system through applications.

In the second phase, the new generation of Nol cards will be introduced, which will be connected to bank accounts and global payment systems.

And in the final phase, users will be able to enter the metro and buses directly with their bank cards or mobile phones.

RTA officials have described this project as part of the journey to transform Dubai into one of the 'smartest cities in the world'; a city where transportation, payments, and urban services are integrated into a single system.

In the new version, users will be able to manage multiple Nol cards (even for family members) within one account, automatically top up their balance, view travel history, and even quickly block the card if it is lost.

But the more important change is this: Nol will not just be for transportation.

In the near future, this system could be used like a bank card for shopping in stores and everyday services across the UAE as well.

Thus, Nol will transform from a simple transportation card into a versatile digital payment tool, bringing Dubai one step closer to a cashless economy.

Source: Gulf News