An RTA employee shows off the new Nol Card reader during the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday.
Dubai - RTA is all set to use the near field communication (NFC) technology in mobile phones to help users top up their Nol card credit.
Published: Mon 7 Dec 2015, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Sun 22 Mar 2020, 2:25 PM
You will soon be able to transfer credit on your Nol cards to a friend's card. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is all set to use the near field communication (NFC) technology in mobile phones to help users top up their Nol card credit.
"For example, if you have zero balance in your Nol card, but your friend has Dh300 in his ... you can transfer any amount into your card from your friend's card using the RTA public transport authority (PTA) application," said Khalid Al Awadhi, director of automated fare collection at the RTA.
The facility will be made available on the app in the first quarter of 2016, according to Al Awadhi. The RTA revealed the new technology on the opening day of the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference in Dubai on Monday.
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The credit can be transferred using the NFC technology on the PTA app. The technology is currently only available on Android and Blackberry platforms.
Evolved from the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an NFC chip operates as one part of a wireless link. Once it's activated by another chip, small amounts of data can be transferred between the two devices when held a few centimetres from each other. The NFC requires very little power and is said to be far more power-efficient than other wireless communication technologies.
"First the source card is scanned, followed by the second card receiving the credit," he said. Users can key in the money that needs to be transferred into the second Nol card on the app.
The facility is beneficial for users who do not have access to Nol top-ups on their smart phone. It becomes particularly easier for bus users since there are no vending kiosks near bus stops.
"We are looking at a Q1 2016 release as of now ... Along with the Nol-to-Nol top-up, users can also use their mobile phones to pay for RTA services," said Al Awadhi.
The RTA is also investing and carrying out research into Nol wearables, where users can tap their wristwatch at payment stalls in buses, Metros, trams, and taxis. "We are also developing (the) ... use of smart bands and other devices ... not just wristwatches," he added.
The wearables will be released by mid-2016.
50% road accidents involve cyclists and pedestrians
Almost 50 per cent of road accidents involve cyclists and pedestrians, an expert said on the opening day of the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference in Dubai on Monday.
Jodie Mairs, principal consultant - road safety specialist at AECOM Middle East, said: "Forty-six per cent of road accident deaths are that of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and public transport users."
She said this category of road users must be specially protected in the Middle East. The climate in the UAE can be "prohibitive for vulnerable road users", she added.
A top official from Saudi Arabia said several road safety programmes undertaken in the country's Eastern Province helped reduce traffic deaths by 4.4 per cent since 2005.
Speaking at a session called 'A positive step in behaviour change initiatives', Sultan Zahrani, secretary-general for the Eastern Province traffic safety council, said: "The establishment of an accident information system has helped us track serious and fatal accidents. Educating schoolchildren as young as 5 to 10 years is the best long-term investment to avoid road deaths."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
How to transfer Nol credit
1. Activate NFC technology on phone
2. Open RTA's Public Transport app
3. Choose Nol-to-Nol transfer option
4. Tap Nol card with credit behind phone and app will read balance on card
5. Tap Nol card without credit behind phone
6. App will show box, where amount to be transferred is to be entered
7. Credit will be transferred in seconds
An RTA employee shows off the new Nol Card reader during the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, and (right), Sultan Zahrani. — Photos by Dhes Handumon
NA071215-DS-GULFTRAFFIC-Traffic lights and road signs on exhibit at the Gulf Traffic 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, December 7, 2015. Photo by Dhes Handumon
Dhanusha Gokulan
- dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
FAQs
Steps to Transfer Nol Card Balance
- Step 1: Download and Install RTA's Public Transport App. ...
- Step 2: Activate NFC Technology on Your Phone. ...
- Step 3: Select the Nol-to-Nol Transfer Option. ...
- Step 4: Tap the Nol Card with a Balance. ...
- Step 5: Tap the Nol Card to Receive the Balance. ...
- Step 6: Enter the Amount to Transfer.
Recharge your NOL and Salik accounts conveniently through our Online and Mobile Banking, ATMs or Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs). If you have a Go4it Credit Card you can choose to automatically top-up your NOL card as well.
What is the minimum top up for a Nol card? ›
As of January 15, 2024, commuters must top-up their Nol cards with a minimum of Dhs20 instead of Dhs5. Commuters should also have a minimum of Dhs15 on their Nol card (previously Dhs7. 50) when using the metro to cover a round trip. One-way fares range from Dhs3 to Dhs15 depending on area zones and class.
How do I get money off my expired Nol card? ›
If you want to recover the remaining or pending balance on your #nol card or unused Travel Pass, use the #nolPay App and recover the balance in easy steps in case it is lost, damaged, faulty, expired, or if you wish to cancel it. To download the app visit the App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.
Can two people use one Nol card? ›
If you have the Blue NOL Card (the personlised one),make sure no one else uses it even with your permission as you could be fined for the same.
Can you put a nol card on your phone? ›
6 It may take a few minutes for the digital nol card to be issued to your phone. Once it is complete, you will be notified by the nol pay app that the digital nol card has been successfully downloaded to your mobile.
How do I add a nol card to the nol Pay app? ›
Method 1: Adding a new virtual nol card
Open Wallet and touch the + button next to transportation cards. Select the transportation card you want to add. Touch Add a new digital card. Select a top-up amount and confirm the fee.
How to add nol card in Apple phone? ›
Transfer your physical transit card to Apple Wallet
- On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
- Tap the Add button .
- Tap Transit Card.
- Choose a card from the list, or search by location or card name.
- Tap Continue.
- Tap Transfer Existing Card.
- Enter your card number and other required information.
Linking your Emirates ID to your nol card:
Download the 'nol Pay' mobile application via Google Play or App Store. Click on 'Personal nol card', and click on 'personalise your existing Silver/Gold card'. You will be directed to your UAE Pass mobile application. Click on 'confirm' and enter your UAE Pass PIN.
Does a Nol card expire? ›
How long is the Nol silver card valid? The validity of the Nol silver card is 5 years for all modes of public transport, along with the Etihad Museum, public parks and 2000-plus shops across Dubai.
Provide your nol card to the station agent. The station agent will check if the card is still valid and active. The balance on the card should be under 100 AED to get refund in cash. If the balance on the card is 100 AED or below, the station agent will issue a cash refund.
What is the NOL 80% rule? ›
What is the 80% NOL rule? The 80% NOL rule was introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 and limits net operating loss carryforwards to 80% of each subsequent year's net income.
Can I use my Nol card for shopping? ›
It offers a convenient way to manage various aspects of your daily life across the emirate, from paying for groceries to public parking. According to Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), you can also use your nol card at over 2,000 retail locations throughout the city.
Can I add my Nol card to my phone? ›
- 1 Open the nol pay app and tap on Get my nol card.
- 2 Tap on Digitise my physical nol card.
- 3 You will see a notification, informing you that you can only digitise a nol card if it is a silver or gold card. ...
- 4 Place your nol card on the back of your smartphone.
Yes, you can use it, widely accepted as a contactless payment card for purchases up to AED 200 at around 5,000 retail stores, including Carrefour, ENOC petrol stations, Lulu, Pronto and Zoom. To redeem the offers, simply present the Travel Card at the participating outlets.
How to use Go4it Nol card? ›
It's easy! Your Go4it Card comes with the Nol chip built-in; therefore, it can be used exactly like the RTA Nol Card. For paying the parking fare at a Parking Meter you should insert the Card in the card slot and then select the time duration on the selection panel.
