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19 March 2024

5 apps to make life easier for motorists, road-users in Dubai

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Five new apps and 30 new smart services were launched by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) today. With the latest addition the number of RTA apps now counts 8, and these will be the main apps for the development of future services.

Previously, the app stores boasted three applications from the RTA, including the Wojhati app for route finding, the Taxi app and the general RTA app, under which most services were hosted.

However, this last app will not continue to exist much longer, as the RTA has decided to delve into more purpose-specific apps where only one type of service is availed, and many new features will be added.

The five apps that are added to the market are the Smart Parking App, the Smart Salik App, the Public Transport App, the Drivers and Vehicles App and the Corporate Services App. With the launch 30 new services were introduced, while some existing services have just seen the addition of a new channel.

“Broadening the implementation of smart applications and services contributes to realizing many objectives highlighted by developing and enhancing the role of mass transit systems, leveraging the efficiency of traffic systems, and revolutionizing the methods of performing operations and processing transactions such that it becomes possible to process many transactions and make shopping without having to travel any distance, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

With the commitment of the RTA to have introduced 200 smart services by May next year, these apps are likely to see many new services added to the existing ones, which now stand at 53 services.

Within this year itself, the apps are likely to see major changes, said Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Licensing Agency at the RTA.

At the same time, there are talks about possible future apps, with the development of a ‘traffic app’ among the most serious. The traffic app would provide real-time traffic information and establish best traffic routes, explained the RTA.

The existing apps can be accessed with an RTA username or My ID, explained Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of the Corporate Technical Support services Sector at the RTA.

“If somebody already has a username that is used on the RTA portal, this username can be used for all the existing apps too. If not, a person can register once, and use the same details for all apps.

“My ID is an initiative of Dubai Government, which allows residents to create a personal account on their portal. This ID can also be used for the RTA apps,” he elaborated.

All the apps are available on Android and iPhone, while all except the Smart Parking App and the Smart Salik App are available on Blackberry too. In the future all apps will be available on Blackberry and on Windows.

Smart Parking app

One of the most promising new app is the Smart Parking App, with RTA officials anticipating major developments under this app, such as the vacant spot identification, leading the motorist directly to the nearest empty spot on in any paid parking area in the emirate.

But that is talk for later, as the app features some new functions already. Allowing for the payment through mPay, the motorist will be able to avoid the 30 fils charge (s)he is charged when paying for parking through SMS.

Further, maps will route out all possible parking options in the emirate, and the nearest from a current location. For more information on the Smart Parking App, click (link story).

Smart Salik App

Another popular service, Salik account management is now available on the smartphone. Whereas several options allow Salik users to top up an account, these are now available on the app, without the need to get out of the car and purchase a recharge card.

Some other new features include code recognition, getting rid of the manual inserting of the recharge code, along with some existing services now available on the phone. For  more information on the Smart Salik App, click (link story).

Public Transport App

The Nol card functions have by far been exploited, if we believe RTA officials, and it is therefore no surprise that this service has led to the development of a dedicated app.

Currently the app does not offer much new but the availability of a new channel, which allows not only the existing services to be availed from the smartphone but also simplifies certain procedures, such as the scanning of a barcode.

The app enables customers to check their Nol card balance, obtain and follow-up personalised Nol card application, and top-up via mPay.

mPay is an existing payment channel where users insert their credit or debit card details and thereby enable card payment through the channel were the payment method is adopted. People can opt to insert their details for every single transaction, or make an account so the details are saved on the app.

Not unimportantly, the top-up through mPay is valid as soon as the Nol card is used, either on the public transport network or for the parking meter.

The future has much more to offer, though. “The Nol card is supposed to become much more than a payment method for public transportation and parking, it should become a payment method for a range of RTA services. We are working hard to realise this,” said Ahmed Bahrozyan.

Drivers and Vehicles App

The Drivers and Vehicles App is an extensive app with a large range of services related to the driver’s license, vehicle ownership, number plates, and traffic fines. Currently the app hosts 10 such services, and these are to be expanded to 70 over the months to come.

“The Drivers & Vehicles Smart Application is the fastest means to provide real-time data, be it in the form of texts, numbers, images, signatures or sites through the GPS system with high efficiency.

“The smart app automatically synchronizes data and stores it in the database so that users can access that data offline, and it offers real-time customer data checking by scanning the barcode, a unique feature unavailable in many smart apps,” said Bahrozyan.

Corporate Services App

The Corporate Services App responds to the immediate needs of the business sector in Dubai, and will be rolled out in five phases.

Currently, the app runs 6 services including the accessing of current and future tenders, reviewing tender procedures, applying for building construction and demolition permits, requesting commercials in Dubai Metro, requesting rental of retail outlets in the metro stations, and the replacement of taxis, school buses and luxury vehicles (Limousines).