Now top-up Dubai Nol card anytime, anywhere

Instantly topping up a Nol card when you are not near a top-up facility is now possible.

Through a 'swipe and pay' option on the public transportation app of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Nol card can be topped up and used right away, said Khalid al Awadhi, Director of Automated Fare Collection at the RTA, at the ongoing Gitex Technology Week.

Previously, credit that was purchased to top up the Nol card online could not be used until the credit was activated.

"The credit purchased online would not actually be stored on the Nol card until a person would activate it at a vending machine.

"This was particularly troublesome for bus commuters, because all bus stops don’t have a vending machine," said Al Awadhi.

As a result, commuters would sometimes end up at a bus stop without being able to board a bus.

Nol cards can now be topped up anytime anywhere, said Al Awadhi.

"There is an option on the app where the top up can be done through a scan. With a smartphone you scan the Nol card. You select the amount you want to add and the top up is done," he said.

Another option allows for transfer of credits from one to another Nol card. First, the source card is scanned, followed by the card receiving the credit.

In both cases, the balance is on the Nol card and available for use immediately.