If you use public transport in Dubai, you probably rely on a nol card. By 2026, the system will be completely upgraded, introducing digital payments, smartphone integration, and new fare options.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has already completed 40% of the project, which is being rolled out in three phases with a total investment of AED 550 million.
What’s Changing in Dubai’s nol card?
The biggest shift is moving from the current card-based ticketing system to an account-based model. This means nol cardholders will have digital accounts linked to their cards, making payments and top-ups more flexible.
The Three Upgrade Phases
Phase 1: The system will be updated to create digital accounts for users, which can be linked to existing nol cards.
Phase 2: A new generation of nol cards will be introduced, designed to work with international banking card technologies.
Phase 3: Once fully upgraded, users will be able to pay transport fares through alternative methods, such as:
- Bank cards (debit/credit)
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.)
- QR codes
- Facial recognition & fingerprint authentication
More New Features for nol Card Users
The upgraded nol card system will come with several new benefits, including:
- Smartphone integration, allowing you to link nol card to mobile wallets.
- Family accounts for managing multiple nol cards under one profile.
- Auto top-ups to set up automatic balance refills through your bank.
- Detailed transaction history for tracking fares and payments in real time.
- Suspension & balance recovery, allowing users to block lost cards and retrieve remaining credit.
Once the system is live, the nol card won’t be limited to Metro, buses, and trams — it will also work for retail purchases and online transactions, much like a bank card. The entire upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. However, some features may roll out earlier as part of the phased implementation.
Stay tuned for updates as Dubai’s public transport system enters a new digital era!
