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Dubai aims towards cashless transit 

Dubai RTA and Visa are collaborating to improve the Nol card used on public transport
By Ben Spencer May 17, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
RTA says the studies will identify digital payment opportunities to enable a cashless economy (© Frantic00 | Dreamstime.com)

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is collaborating with Visa to identify solutions to improve the Nol electronic ticketing card used on public transport in the emirate.

The parties will conduct joint studies to identify customer pain points and design optimal solutions. 

These will seek to identify digital payment opportunities in the transport space that can enable a cashless economy.

In a second phase, the RTA will also participate in workshops and programmes conducted by Visa.

Mohammed Yousuf Al Mudharreb, CEO of RTA’s corporate technology support services sector, says: “RTA had established the 'Nol Strategy 2020-2023' to make Nol the leading digital ticketing payment and access platform enabling seamless mobility, to achieve the vision of cashless city.”

In this regard, the RTA introduced the Nol Pay application this year, enabling customers to store Nol cards digitally in their mobile phones. The cards can also be used for payment in more than 13,000 retail outlets in United Arab Emirates as well as public parks and museums.

Shahebaz Khan, Visa’s general manager for UAE, says: “We have seen a significant increase in consumer preference for digital payments, especially contactless, amid Covid-19 and contactless ticketing solutions will help transform passenger experience and make Dubai more connected. The consumer study will be useful in identifying consumer needs that will help us develop the right digital payment products for commuters.”
 

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