Dubai nol Upgrade Brings Bank Card and Wallet Metro Payments
RTA’s new account-based nol system will simplify fares and expand digital payment options.
Dubai commuters will soon be able to pay for metro and bus rides by simply tapping a bank card or phone wallet. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is upgrading the nol payment system to accept these payment methods, and the project is now 72 percent complete. The full rollout is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The upgrade will move the system from card-based ticketing to account-based ticketing. This is a digital model that links fares directly to each customer account. Once completed, it will be one of the most advanced systems of its kind in the world, designed to match international standards in digital payments and financial technology.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, said the new payment options are part of a wider upgrade: “The new system will deliver a step change in the customer experience by expanding payment options and enabling modern, diverse payment methods, streamlining procedures and making services easier to access. It also reinforces nol card’s position as one of the most advanced and comprehensive digital payment solutions, supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy, and strengthens integration across various economic and service sectors, making nol an everyday payment tool that supports Dubai’s drive towards the digital economy and smart cities.”
The move to bank card and digital wallet payments comes in the final stage of a three-phase rollout. Al Tayer said the first phase introduces QR code ticketing through digital platforms. The second phase brings a new generation of nol cards built to global standards, with support for bank card technology and automatic linking to customer accounts at the time of purchase. The final phase will allow fare payment by bank cards and digital wallets.
To support this update, station equipment such as smart kiosks and payment devices is also being improved. This will allow passengers to pay using QR tickets, next-generation nol cards, bank cards, or digital wallets.
Al Tayer also highlighted the wider importance of the project for RTA’s digital plans, “The nol system upgrade marks a strategic step in RTA’s comprehensive digital transformation journey and represents a strategic investment in the future of digital services. It will enable RTA to develop a unified, more integrated payment ecosystem linking various modes of transport and services, while delivering the highest levels of operational efficiency and customer convenience.”
Beyond transport, the new nol cards will also work like a regular bank card, allowing users to shop at retail outlets across the UAE and through digital channels.
For commuters, the account-based system will bring useful management features. Al Tayer said customers will be able to open accounts, connect their nol cards and family members’ cards, set profiles, assign top-up amounts to each linked card, and activate automatic reloads through a linked bank account. It will also include statement tracking, card blocking, and balance recovery.
The nol system was first launched on September 9, 2009, with the opening of Dubai Metro. Since then, RTA has expanded nol payments to e-scooters and other soft mobility services to support its first- and last-mile connectivity strategy.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.