Still topping up your nol card in Dubai? This travel pass could save you Dh250

Dubai: Are you a commuter who frequently uses the Dubai Metro, buses and trams? Don’t top up your nol card before every trip – there’s a way to save up to Dh250 on your daily commute, and earn thousands of nol Plus points! Here’s what you need to know about the new announcement by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that’s going to help you pocket savings as you travel around the city, this summer. How do I save? If you upgrade to a 30-day nol pass between May 26 and June 26, you can save up to Dh250 on multiple trips on the Dubai Metro, the tram, and RTA public buses, in addition to earning up to 3,000 nol Plus points. To do this, switch to the unlimited travel pass via your nol Pay app. What is the unlimited travel pass? The RTA offers an unlimited travel pass that you can apply to your personalised nol card, for 30 days. It allows you to take multiple trips on any line of public transport in Dubai for the same price as a single trip, saving you hundreds of Dirhams each time you use it! There are also unlimited travel passes available for seven days, 90 days, or 365 days, but the RTA is focusing on the 30-day pass this summer as your best option for saving and gaining reward points. This monthly pass is not available as a standalone product; instead, it is loaded onto an existing Silver, Gold or eligible Concession (Blue) nol card. While Silver nol cards give you access to Standard class on public transport, and are best for regular commuters who want a budget-friendly commute, Gold nol cards permit access to Gold class cabins on the Metro and trams, and are designed for users who prefer comfort, more space, and quieter cabins. The Concession or Blue nol card is for these eligible groups: students, senior citizens and residents, and people of determination. Note that the Red nol ticket, which is a ticket for a single trip, does not support monthly passes. How does it work? The unlimited travel pass depends on two factors: your nol card type, and how many zones you need to cover. The Dubai public transportation map is divided into seven zones, with each zone containing Metro, bus, tram and water bus stations. The unlimited travel pass gives you the option to travel within one zone, two adjacent zones, or all zones. The best part? You can travel within your selected zones as much as you want, for 30 consecutive days. You will still need to tap in and tap out at every gate, so that the system can check your pass and zones automatically. The unlimited travel pass is ideal for regular commuters, students, and long-stay visitors in the city. How much does it cost? Here is the 30-day unlimited travel pass price, based on nol card type and zone coverage. Silver card price: One zone : Dh140 Two adjacent zones : Dh230 All zones : Dh350 Gold card price: One zone : Dh280 Two adjacent zones : Dh460 All zones : Dh700 Concession (Blue card) price: One zone : Dh70 Two adjacent zones : Dh115 All zones : Dh175 How to buy the unlimited travel pass First, you will require an existing nol card. If you do not have one, purchase it through the RTA’s website (rta.ae) or visit the nearest Dubai Metro station and buy a nol card from the ticket office. Once you have acquired your nol card, download the nol Pay app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in with your UAE PASS. Scroll down and click on ‘Purchase Travel Pass’. Next, place your nol card on the back of your phone. You can remove it once the app alerts you that it has completed scanning the card. This allows the app to retrieve information from your nol card, such as your current balance, and transaction history. Next, select the type of travel pass you need, for instance: 30-day pass. Now, choose the zone type: Single zone, two adjacent zones, or all zones. A map will appear on your phone. Select the zone (or zones) you would like to make part of your regular commute. Be careful with your decision! If you travel with the pass outside your selected zones, you will have to pay full price. Once you have decided the duration of the travel pass, and associated zones, pay with your credit or debit card online. Once payment is complete, scan your card one more time to activate it. Now, you can travel as many times as you like, within your chosen zones, and enjoy savings!