Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted a contract for the enhancement of the existing nol (Card-Based Ticketing System) to an advanced central wallet technology (Account-Based Ticketing System), aligning with global best practices. This initiative, requiring a AED350 million investment, stands out as a significant achievement within RTA’s Digital Strategy Roadmap 2023-2030 launched last December.
The strategy aims to position RTA as a global leader in digital transformation through optimal data investment, fostering a flexible and fully scalable digital infrastructure with complete fintech integration in mobility solutions.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, upgrading the nol system is a pivotal move to harness advancements in global digital payment solutions and fintech. Al Tayer highlighted the project’s role in supporting the government’s Cashless Dubai initiative and emphasised the remarkable growth in nol card usage, with over 30 million cards issued since 2009 and a daily average of 2.5 million payment transactions in 2023, exceeding AED2 billion in value.
The project introduces a digital payment system featuring centralised transport fare wallet technology, facilitating seamless integration across Dubai’s transit modes. It brings various benefits, including enhanced electronic and financial security standards, improved operational efficiency, and maximised data utility. The upgraded system incorporates innovative features like trip planning, booking, pre-payment through smart channels, integrated service packages, family and group tickets, payment via smart devices, and the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as facial recognition.
In terms of electronic security, the new system links all issued cards to individual customer accounts, enhancing data security and privacy protection. It offers flexibility in refining operational processes and monitoring system performance, addressing the needs of public transport network operators in Dubai and supporting RTA’s plans for integrating public transport modes and private sector payment systems.
Built on RTA’s central wallet technology, the digital payment system aims to optimise data utilisation, analysing various data points such as trip origins and destinations. This data will contribute to research and development, expansion strategies, trend forecasting, and the design of unique and innovative services.
