Dubai’s RTA nol system upgrade has reached 72% completion, marking a major milestone in the authority’s plan to transform the existing card based ticketing (CBT) system into a digital payment platform powered by account based ticketing (ABT).

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said the upgraded system will be among the most advanced globally. It is designed to keep pace with the latest developments in digital payments and financial technology while aligning with international best practices. The project is scheduled for full completion by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the project represents a strategic step in RTA’s broader digital transformation journey and a long term investment in the future of digital services.

He said the initiative will enable RTA to build a unified and integrated payment ecosystem connecting different transport modes and services. It is also expected to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer convenience.

Furthermore, Al Tayer said the project supports the leadership’s vision of using advanced technologies to simplify government services, improve customer experience, and strengthen Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to live, work, and move around.

The RTA nol system upgrade is also expected to significantly enhance customer experience by expanding payment options and introducing modern digital payment methods. According to Al Tayer, the initiative reinforces the nol card’s position as one of the region’s most advanced digital payment solutions.

In addition, the project supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy and strengthens integration across multiple economic and service sectors. Al Tayer said the upgraded nol platform will evolve into an everyday payment tool that contributes to Dubai’s digital economy and smart city ambitions.

The project has been divided into three phases because of its scale.

The first phase will introduce QR code ticketing through digital channels.

The second phase will launch a new generation of nol cards built on updated technologies and global standards. These cards will be compatible with bank card technologies and will automatically link to customer accounts when purchased.

The third phase will complete the system upgrade by enabling additional payment methods, including bank cards and digital wallets, for public transport fares across Dubai.

According to Al Tayer, the upgraded platform will introduce several new customer features. These include creating customer accounts, linking nol cards to individual accounts, adding nol cards to smartphone digital wallets, purchasing tickets using QR code technology, and implementing flexible fare structures across public transport services.

Customers will also be able to manage multiple nol cards, including those belonging to family members, through a single account. They will have the option to assign different top up amounts to each linked card, activate automatic top ups through bank account integration, review daily transaction statements, block lost cards, and recover remaining balances.

Meanwhile, RTA is also upgrading systems, payment devices, and smart kiosks across public transport stations to support the new payment technologies. As a result, customers will be able to pay fares using QR code tickets, new generation nol cards, bank cards, and digital wallets.

Beyond public transport, the upgraded system will expand the use of nol cards across retail and digital commerce. Customers will be able to use the new generation of nol cards for shopping through digital channels and at retail outlets across the UAE, similar to bank cards.

RTA originally launched the nol system on September 9, 2009, alongside the opening of Dubai Metro to simplify access to public transport services.

More recently, the authority introduced several initiatives to expand the platform’s capabilities. These include the nol Student Package, launched in collaboration with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Association, offering dedicated discounts for students worldwide.

RTA has also introduced promotional nol Travel cards for residents and tourists. In addition, it enabled nol card payments for soft mobility services, including e scooters, to improve first and last mile connectivity with public transport. According to the authority, this remains one of the world’s pioneering applications of integrated mobility payments.

With the RTA nol system upgrade progressing toward its 2027 completion target, the authority aims to deliver a more connected, cashless, and digitally integrated transport payment ecosystem that supports Dubai’s broader smart city and digital economy objectives.

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