Dubai has a remarkable infrastructure that is brilliantly managed by the Road and Transport Authority. Dubai’s public transport is a crucial part of the city’s infrastructure. Residents or tourists, many people prefer using public transport to get around the Emirate. The nol cards introduced by RTA Dubai have made it more convenient and simple.
Read on to know all about nol cards in Dubai and how it is making public transport more accessible and simpler to use for everyone.
What is a Nol Card?
A nol card is a smart card that allows users to pay for different kinds of public transportation options with a single tap. You can utilize your nol card in Dubai to use:
- Dubai Metro
- Buses
- Dubai Tram
- RTA taxi
- Marine mode of transportation including ferries, Abras and water buses
- To pay for parking fee in Dubai
From where can we buy nol cards in Dubai?
Nol cards are available at the ticket offices and ticket vending machines installed in all the metro stations and bus stations of Dubai. You can also buy nol cards from RTA customer happiness centres, online via the RTA website or the s’hail app, through authorized sales agents or from some supermarkets including Spinneys, Waitrose and Carrefour.
How to use a nol card in Dubai?
Anyone travelling with a nol card in Dubai is required to approach the electronic gates at the metro stations, or the electronic entrance terminals on the bus/water bus stations. Hold the card over the card reader. If there is a beep or a green light, it means your check-in with the nol card was successful, you can enter through the gates of the metro station/bus station/other modes of public transport and start your journey.
You are also supposed to do the same while checking out, the nol car reader validates your card and deducts the fare for the journey taken.
How to check the balance of nol cards in Dubai?
With the help of nol cards travelling in public transport has become very easy as you don’t have to carry cash all the time to purchase tickets. All you need to keep in mind is your nol card’s balance.
To inquire about your card’s balance, visit the RTA website, click on the ‘Check NOL Card Balance’ option and insert your nol card number along with the security code. After entering all required details, click on the ‘Check’ option.
How to recharge nol card balance?
You must have a balance of at least AED 7.50 on your card. If the balance is insufficient, you can simply pay online and add credit to your nol card, you can also use the top-up facility. To use the latter, you can top up your nol card’s balance at the ticket vending machines/offices located inside all the metro stations and bus stations in Dubai.
How is nol card fare calculated?
The city of Dubai has 7 zones, and each of them includes metro stations, tram stations, bus stations, and water bus stations. Nol card fares are calculated according to the number of zones the card user passed through at the end of their journey.
All NOL cards have a small tamper-proof chip and an antenna to ensure fast, secure and reliable transactions. Nol cards are carefully designed smart cards that certify fares are calculated accurately and that no one tries using them fraudulently.
Remember, anyone caught misusing a nol card is penalized by the RTA.
Types of nol cards in Dubai
The RTA offers four kinds of nol cards in Dubai: Red, Blue, Silver and Gold.
Red Ticket/ nol Red Card
The nol Red Card is ideal for occasional travellers or tourists who don’t use the Dubai metro frequently. The paper-based disposable ticket is valid for 90 days from the date of its purchase. You can use the red ticket for a total of 10 single journeys or 5 daily passes.
The price for the nol Red Ticket is AED 2 and it can be used for just one mode of public transport at a time.
Silver Ticket/ nol Silver Card
The nol Silver Card is ideal for regular users. The card is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase and can be used to travel in all modes of public transport covered by the nol card scheme.
The price for a nol Silver Card is AED 25 inclusive of an e-purse balance worth AED 19. You can top-up your e-purse balance up to AED 1000 with this card.
Golden Ticket/ nol Golden Card
The nol Gold Card is ideal for luxury and comfort travellers. The features offered by this card are the same as the nol Silver Card, however, the Gold Card gives you access to the Dubai Metro’s privileged gold compartment. The compartment has luxurious leather seats and it offers a panoramic view for a premium fare.
The price for nol Gold Card is AED 25 inclusive of an e-purse balance worth AED 19. The golden ticket is valid for five years and has a top-up limit of AED 5000.
Blue Ticket/ nol Blue Card
The nol Blue Card is a secured personalized smart card ideal for daily commuters, students and senior citizens. The blue nol card can be used on all types of public transport options and has a validity of five years from the date of its purchase.
An important feature of the blue ticket is that if it gets stolen, the balance can still be secured. Moreover, people of determination and toddlers under the age of five can travel free of cost with the nol Blue Card.
The price for this card is AED 70, including AED 20 of e-purse value. The maximum balance you can load in the Blue Nol Card is AED 5000. However, please keep in mind that only residents can buy this specialized card.
Please note that nol cards are also known as the Dubai public transport cards.
FAQs
Where to recharge a nol card in Dubai?
You can recharge your nol card at the Nol recharge stations found all over the metro/bus stations of the city, from RTA happiness centres, sales agents and some supermarkets. You can also top-up the balance online with the RTA website or through the s’hail app.
How much credit do I need on my nol card?
You must have a balance of at least AED 7.50 on your card to use it.
How can I pay for Dubai parking with the nol card?
The RTA stationed specified machines in all the parking lots of the city. You can insert your nol card in these machines to pay for your vehicle’s parking duration. The amount gets deducted from your nol card balance and you are issued a parking ticket.
That is all about nol card in Dubai. Using these cards is effective and convenient. Nevertheless, if you don’t rely that much on public modes of transportation and prefer to drive yourself, here is a list of used cars available at economical prices:
- Used cars for sale in Dubai
- Used cars in Sharjah
- Used cars in Abu Dhabi
- Second-hand vehicles for sale in Ajman
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on public transportation, nol cards and everything cars.
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