Silver, gold Nol blue in 15 minutes

Dubai commuters can now customise their silver or gold Nol cards in 15 minutes by simply presenting their Emirates ID, said the Road Transport Authority (RTA).

Under a new initiative called Nol Express, customers can opt to switch from a silver or gold Nol card to the blue Nol card without the hassle of going through a lengthy application procedure.

The presentation of the existing Nol card and Emirates ID should be enough for the new card to be issued, while waiting.

The blue Nol card is a personalised version of the travel card and includes a picture of the user in addition to personal details.

There is a personal blue card for the normal class, and a personal gold card, or the so-called gold blue card, explained Khaled Abdul Rahman Al Awadhi, Director of Automated Fare Collection, Corporate Technical Support Services Sector of RTA.

One of the main advantages is that the blue card allows for balance protection, explained Louloua Yousif Al Asmakh, Deputy Director and Clearing and Settlement Manager at the Unified Automated Fare Collection Department earlier.

“When the card gets lost, the user can report the loss after which we will block the card. The remaining balance will be refunded to the card owner.”

However, there are several advantages to the blue card, which is generally used much less than the silver and gold card.

“As a blue card user you can have a monthly pass; which allows you to make an unlimited number of trips for a standard charge.

“Monthly packages are available for specified travel zones as well. For example, if you travel the same route in the same zone every day, you can have a monthly pass within that zone. Any trip made outside that zone would be charged extra.”

The blue card for the regular class can be purchased for Dh70, while the gold blue card costs Dh80.

“These charges will remain the same, although it is now easier to obtain the card,” said al Awadhi.

“The Nol Express card will be issued within minutes from the moment of applying for the service, scrapping the hassles of manually applying and having to wait two weeks to receive the card.

 “We have carried this initiative in collaboration with the Emirates Identity Authority aiming to streamline procedures of converting the Emirates ID card into a smart e-application through using the particulars of the customer entered in the Emirates ID card as a source of information needed for issuing the NOL card.

“The initiative has also been made possible thanks to the partnership with ENOC Company where it has been agreed to deliver the service all over its ZOOM outlets at the metro stations.”

Currently the service is available at Burjuman and Al Fahidi Metro Stations, while 8 outlets will be added by the end of November this year at 8 metro stations namely: Al Rashidiya, Salah Uddin, Deira City Center, Al Qiyadah, Emirates Exchange, Mall of the Emirates, Union Square and Baniyas.

The RTA is considering the provision of this service at external locations in the future, it stated.

The Blue card is not to be mistaken for the personalised Nol card, an initiative which was introduced late last year.

Although this initiative enables commuters to personalise their Nol card, it does not offer the same discounts or packages available for blue card holders. Personalising a Nol card can be done at Metro stations against a charge of Dh30.