Dubai: From October 1, Android phone users will be able to top up their Nol cards or apply for public transport permits with a tap of the Nol card on their phones, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said.
The development is part of a final upgrade to the Smart Fare project of the automated fare collection system or Nol, reported Gulf News, adding that the upgrade will see new services added to the Public Transport App, which has options for Nol top up, balance check, etc.
The upgraded app uses Near Field Connectivity (NFC) to support the current services and enable the launch of a new package of services relating to the use of Nol card as a means of payment for services provided through the app, the report said.
The NFC technology will reportedly allow reading and update of Nol cards directly through smartphone. However, it will only be available on Android devices.
“The Smart Fare project uses the NFC technology, tapping the Nol card on Android devices in which the Public Transport Smart App is uploaded. The customer would then be able to top up Nol card instantly, and buy a bus and metro permit without visiting ticket counters or renew such a permit,” Khalid Al Awadi, director of Automated Fare Collection at RTA, reportedly said.
He added that payment for services will be made through entering details of customer’s credit card on the app in coordination with the Dubai Smart Government.
The new services added to the app include credit transfer from one card to another, and inquiry about journeys made through Nol card.
“The service would contribute to eliminating any inconvenience related to the limited number of recharging machines. This would add to customers’ satisfaction rating which tops RTA’s agenda, and support the Smart City initiative launched by Dubai Government for upgrading services in a way befitting the profile of Dubai among cosmopolitan cities,” Al Awadi was quoted as saying by Gulf News.
