UAE public transport: How seniors can travel free or get 50% off fares

Dubai: If you are a senior citizen or resident, did you know that you could enjoy massive discounts, or ride for free, when using public transport across the UAE?

The transport authorities in different emirates offer discounts or free rides for users who have a transport card which clearly identifies them as over the age of 55 or 60. The age limit varies between different emirates, but what remains common is that you can easily travel within different emirates more easily as a senior citizen or resident. Here’s how.

Senior citizens and residents with a valid Emirates ID can travel using public transport across the UAE and avail a 50 per cent discount, by applying for a nol personal card, which is directly linked to your Emirates ID.

To be eligible for the 50% discount for senior citizens and residents, you must:

You can apply for the card online, by visiting https://nol.rta.ae/manage-nol-card/apply-nol-card or at any of the Metro station counters across Dubai. Make sure you have your photograph and a valid Emirates ID.

You can then use various public transport modes like Dubai Bus, Metro, tram and abra.

The Hafilat bus card has a ‘senior permit’, which allows residents and citizens aged 55 years and older to travel for free, when using public transport.

The permit is valid for one year and offers unlimited free trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

In order to apply for the card, you will need to visit a customer happiness office at a bus station in Abu Dhabi, along with your Emirates ID and personal photograph.

The Sayer card by Mowasalat, Sharjah’s public transport service, has a special card for categories of passengers who ore exempt from public transport charges, which includes senior citizens and residents who are at least 60 years old.

You can apply for a Sayer card within the ‘exempt category’ online by visiting https://mowasalat.ae/exempt-category/registration.

Once you have filled out the application and submitted all the required documents, you can collect your card from the cashier’s office at the Al Jubail Central bus station.

Required documents:

While the card is issued free of charge for the first year, it has to be renewed each year. The renewal fee, according to Sharjah RTA is AED 25, inclusive of five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT).