Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has quietly launched a major upgrade to its NOL Pay app; just in time for the busy metro and bus rides that make the city hum. The update isn’t just about a fresh look; it’s packed with new tools that make managing your nol easier, especially for families and frequent travellers.
Changes included:
Smarter Way to Manage Family Cards
One of the standout features is the ability to manage multiple nol cards in one place. You can now apply for cards for your children, link or deactivate family members’ cards, and top up each one individually. For busy Dubai families, this means no more separate logins or juggling cards.
You can also set up automatic top-ups — define how often you want to top up (weekly, monthly, etc.) and how much, and the app takes care of the rest. That’s a real time-saver for parents who don’t want to be caught off guard by a low balance when their kids rush out for school or weekend plans.
No More Last-Minute Surprises
The app now sends proactive notifications for low balances, expiring nol cards, or travel passes about to end. So instead of scrambling at the metro gate, you’ll get a heads-up well in advance.
Also, topping up your card is instant. Check your real-time balance, top up on the go, and even buy travel passes without leaving the app — great for those spur-of-the-moment airport runs or weekend city trips.
More Than Just Transport
RTA is turning nol Pay into more than a transport wallet. Now, you can top up your mobile phone balance from within the app too. It’s a smart move that brings utility beyond commuting — especially for people who rely on mobile data or voice calls while navigating Dubai.
Tap and Go — Digitally
Perhaps the most exciting part for tech-savvy commuters: digitised nol cards are now fully supported on Samsung and Huawei devices. This means you can tap to pay on buses, metro, and even at retail outlets — without opening the app. Just tap and you’re set.
By the end of 2024, over 33,000 digital Nol cards were sold, representing a staggering 460% year-over-year increase.
The Numbers Behind the Buzz
- 1.5 million downloads: The upgraded app has crossed this milestone, showing more than 150% year-on-year growth.
- Digital Card Sales Skyrocket: The 460% surge in digital nol card sales reflects how fast people are shifting to digital wallets.
- Big Digital Revenue: In 2024, RTA reported AED 4.427 billion in digital revenues, underscoring how important these digital tools are becoming.
Dubai’s Digital Future
This upgrade is part of a bigger picture — RTA is pushing forward with its Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system as a first phase of a larger transformation. What this means is ride accounts (not just physical cards) will become the foundation of travel payments in the city.
RTA has already completed 40% of its nol system upgrade, aiming to finish by Q3 2026. Once done, the system will support features like QR-code ticketing, biometric authentication, and payments via bank cards or digital wallets.
This aligns with Dubai’s Services 360 policy, which pushes for seamless integration across the government’s digital services. It also strengthens the Zero Bureaucracy Programme by eliminating unnecessary steps, cutting wait times, and reducing friction.
How This Change Affects Real People, Not Just Headlines
Imagine this scenario: you’re a parent in Dubai with two school-going kids, and you also commute by metro every day. Before, you had to juggle your own NOL card, their cards, and remember to top everyone up separately. With the new nol Pay, you manage it all in one app. Set an auto top-up for your kids’ cards, and get notified before their passes expire. That kind of convenience feels very 2025, very Dubai.
For daily commuters from, say, Al Rigga to Business Bay, tapping your phone (instead of fishing out a physical noh card) makes life simpler. And for tourists or weekend visitors, buying and managing a nol pass from the phone — without lining up at kiosks — makes exploring the city much more seamless.
Things to Keep in Mind
- The digitised nol card feature only works on Samsung and Huawei devices for now.
- While the ABT system is already underway, the full suite of new payment options (like QR and biometrics) will roll out in future phases.
- Not everyone may be immediately used to the app’s new interface, but once you update, it’s pretty intuitive.
Dubai RTA’s upgraded nol Pay app isn’t just another app refresh. It’s a thoughtful, well-timed move that meets the city where it is today — digitally savvy, bustling, and always on the go. With smoother top-ups, family card tools, and tap-to-pay on your phone, nol Pay is becoming deeply woven into the fabric of daily life in Dubai.
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