Dubai has made significant advancements towards improving its infrastructure and public transportation. The goal is not just to connect the city through the metro and buses but also to create a user-friendly platform for travelers to commute through public transport. Traveling is certainly a huge aspect in Dubai, as not every resident in the city owns a vehicle and relies on public transport including tourists. So the RTA ( The Road & Transport Authority ) has taken multiple steps to facilitate travelers in purchasing tickets for public transportation. With just one card, travelers can access Dubai Metro, trams, buses, and water taxis to commute anywhere in the city.
However, RTA went one step further and facilitated the use of digital NOL cards on Samsung smart devices for ease of access for the consumer. It benefits the consumer greatly as they can easily pay from their Huawei or Samsung smartphones. All they have to do is download the app on their phone and create an ID to access the services of the NOL card. Through this feature, they can conveniently pay on the go by tapping their smartphone or even Samsung smartwatch. Moreover, this digital card can also be used at various retail shops, grocery stores, public parks, and other participating locations.
Before proceeding further, let’s first understand the difference between physical and digital NOL cards.
| Feature | Digital NOL Card | Physical NOL Card |
| Storage | On mobile ( App or Wallet ) | Physical Plastic Card |
| Payment Method | Contactless via NFC | Tap the card on the reader |
| Top Up option | Instant Online Recharge | Recharge at the metro, online, or kiosks |
| Security | Secure with mobile authorization | Can be lost or Stolen |
| Multi-Device Use | Can be transferred between devices | Single Card Per User |
NOL Pay App Feature
The new features introduced through a revamped NOL pay app by the RTA, have been designed to align with the official payment platform aimed towards making transportation easier for residents and tourists in Dubai. Some of these features include
- Users can easily top up their balance at any time or place, which allows them to recharge their NOL card through the app.
- Users can conveniently apply for and renew personalized NOL cards by linking their RTA accounts with digital ID accounts.
- It helps in simplifying the registration process for unidentified NOL cards which allows users to easily log in with their digital ID accounts.
Services that can be paid through a digital NOL card
With this one digital NOL card, users can purchase almost any on-road transport ticket like Dubai Metro, Dubai tram, water taxi, and any other public transport services. Moreover, they can also be used at any merchant store that accepts digital NOL Payments.
Digitizing NOL digital card on Samsung phones
- Keep your physical NOL card ready
- Install the NOL Pay app on your phone.
- Connect the NOL Pay app with your UAE pass account for easier login.
- Select “Get my NOL card“ in the NOL pay app.
- Choose the option to digitize your existing physical NOL card.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Digitizing NOL Digital card on Huawei phones
- Launch the Huawei wallet app on the device
- Tap the + button to add a new transportation card
- Select whether you want to add a silver or gold NOL card.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Safety features of the NOL Pay app
Being a semi-government feature, it is one of the safest apps to install on your phone. It has a built-in protection system for Samsung and Huawei phones which ensures that all transactions are safe and there is no data leakage or network spoofing.
Conclusion
Dubai continues to expand its technological advancements and create new strides in the same. Their digital NOC card is a reflection of the same. From a hassle-free recharge option to being able to avail it for any public transport, highlights the groundbreaking technology of the RTA as they continue to push the boundaries in the public transport system.