Hassan is a new Dubai resident who works at a store downtown. Every morning, Hassan takes the bus to get to work and uses his NOL card for payment. He’s been using the same NOL card for 2 months now and has become quite familiar with it.
He recently heard about how can check the balance available on his NOL Card online, so he decided to try it out. After visiting the RTA website, he was able to see that there was only Dh 7 left in his account and realized that he would need to refund soon if he wanted to continue taking public transport.
What a moment, isn’t it? What refund options will Hassan have at hand?
We help you. In this article, we will show you how to top up the NOL card and all the information you need to know about how it works.
Contents
- 1 What is the Public Transport NOL Card?
- 2 How much NOL Card costs?
- 3 Where I buy an NOL Card for Public transport?
- 4 What type of NOL Card can I choose?
- 5 How to use NOL Card when using a transport
- 6 How to check my NOL Card balance online?
- 7 Using the NOL Card on the Dubai Metro – Know this beforehand to save money
- 8 RTA mobile apps
- 9 Final Summary:
What is the Public Transport NOL Card?
The Public Transport NOL Card is a smart card issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to facilitate payment for public transport-related services in Dubai. It can be used on buses, metro, trams, and even for payments at parking machines in the city.
Valid for this transport:
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How much NOL Card costs?
NOL cards cost either Dh 25 or Dh 70. The Dh 25 card comes with an initial balance of Dh 19.5 and the Dh 70 cards come with a balance of Dh 60.
With this NOL Silver Card, you get 19 e-purse value credits worth travel.
Where I buy an NOL Card for Public transport?
There are several ways to get your NOL card. You can buy it at ticket offices, from machines, RTA customer happiness centers, authorized sales agents, or online..
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What type of NOL Card can I choose?
The NOL card is a convenient way to pay for all purchases related to public transport, such as the metro, bus, and tram, as well as paying for parking.
But before you buy an NOL Card you should know about the different types and their features.
Choose your preferred NOL Card
The NOL Silver Card is an intelligent choice for those who want the ease of a smart card with an e-purse. Registered users can have up to AED 1000 loaded onto their cards at any ticket office. Plus, getting the card is quick and easy–for only AED 25 (including AED 19 e-purse value).
The NOL Gold Card comes with all the features of the silver card but gives you access to premium seats in the metro’s gold class for a small surcharge. You can get this card from any ticket office for only AED 25 (including AED 19 e-purse value).
Blue Card. Your NOL Personal Card is a personalized smart card with an e-purse that can be loaded with up to AED 5000. For only AED 70, you can get this card immediately from any ticket office (including AED 20 e-purse value).
The NOL Red Ticket is a cheaper alternative to the regular ticket, as it only costs AED 2. It is also more convenient because it can be bought from any ticket vending machine and does not expire.
How to use NOL Card when using a transport
Using your NOL card on public transport is very simple. All you need to do is tap the card against the ticket reader at the entrance and exit of the station or bus. When using it in parking machines, just hold it up to the sensor before payment and after making the payment.
How to check in:
- You must maintain a minimum balance of AED 7.50 on your card at all times.
- Locate the nearest Metro station or bus/water bus stop.
- Place your nol Card on the card reader to begin using public transport.
- You will know you have successfully checked in when you either hear a beep or see a green light.
- Pass through the gate/entrance.
How to check out:
- Find your way to the nearest Metro or bus/water bus station.
- Use your NOL Card on the card reader
- After you’ve completed your purchase, wait to hear a beep or see the green light which signals that the check-out was successful.
- Pass through the gate/entrance.
The gate will automatically calculate the cost of your trip/journey based on how many zones you have passed.
How to check my NOL Card balance online?
Thanks to a recent development by RTA, you can now check your NOL Card balance online. Log in to the RTA website and select ‘My NOL Balance’ on the main page. You will need to enter your card number and click ‘check balance’. Your current balance will be displayed on the screen. You can use a NOL card balance checker via the NOL app.
- Log in to the RTA website ➡️ Option Check NOL Balance
2. Enter NOL tag ID and press Search
3. Your card balance will be displayed on the screen
You can recharge your card online or at any ticket office with a minimum of AED 7.50 up to a maximum of AED 5000. Recharging more than once per month will provide users with additional discounts and advantages such as free trips, discounts on taxi fares,
Using the NOL Card on the Dubai Metro – Know this beforehand to save money
The Dubai metro is a great way to get around the city, but there are some things to keep in mind to avoid fines. For example, you can’t eat or drink on the metro, and you can’t take large items like suitcases on board. If you don’t follow these rules, you could be fined up to 500 dirhams.
To prevent this from happening to you, here is a list of possible fines you can get on the Dubai metro for not knowing the rules.
| Metro Penalties | Fine |
|---|---|
| Use of public transport facilities and relevant transport services or to enter or exit the fare zone areas without payment of exact fare. | AED 200 |
| Failure to present the Unified Card upon request. | AED 200 |
| Using a card designated for others. | AED 200 |
| Using an expired card. | AED 200 |
| Using an invalid card. | AED 200 |
| Selling Unified Cards without prior permission from the Authority. | AED 200 |
| Using Counterfeit card. | AED 500 |
| Causing a disturbance or inconvenience in any way to users of Public Transport and Public Facilities and Services. | AED 100 |
| Accessing or sitting in areas designated for specific categories. | AED 100 |
| Eating and Drinking in areas where eating and drinking are not allowed. | AED 100 |
| Sleeping in passenger shelters or any place where sleeping is prohibited. | AED 300 |
| Damaging, vandalising or destroying equipment or seats on Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 2000 |
| Parking vehicles in areas designated for metro users for a period exceeding the permitted period. | AED 100 per day & Up to 1000 |
| Entry into restricted areas inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services in violation of posted warning signs and boards. | AED 100 |
| Standing or sitting in non- passenger areas inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 100 |
| Putting feet on seats. | AED 100 |
| Selling or promoting, in any way goods and commodities inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities. | AED 200 |
| Failure to comply with the instructions of the inspectors or authorised personnel of the Authority or obstructing the performance of their duties. | AED 200 |
| Using Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services contrary to the Authority’s instructions posted on signboards. | AED 200 |
| Bringing animals into Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services, except guide dogs for blind persons. | AED 100 |
| Spitting, littering, or performing any act that would compromise the cleanness of Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 200 |
| Smoking inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 200 |
| Misusing lifts or escalators. | AED 100 |
| Boarding the Public Transport Facilities and Services by climbing or jumping. | AED 100 |
| Opening the doors or attempting to access or leave Public Transport while it is moving between stations and stops. | AED 100 |
| Carrying or using materials or equipment that may cause inconvenience to users of Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services or endanger their safety. | AED 100 |
| Causing any distraction or obstruction to driver of Public Transport Facilities and Services while he is driving. | AED 200 |
| Carrying Alcoholic beverages inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 500 |
| Carrying hazardous items, including weapons, sharp tools or inflammable materials, inside Public Transport and Public Transport Facilities and Services. | AED 1000 |
| Using any security or safety device or tool, including emergency exits where it is not necessary. | AED 2000 |
| Misuse of the emergency buttons | AED 2000 |
RTA mobile apps
RTA’s primary focus is your happiness. In order to do that, we created fast and easy access to our services through smart applications– all designed around you and your needs. By making these changes, we are supporting Dubai’s transformation into a smart city as well as achieving other strategic goals.
If you need check balance NOL with your smartphone please donwload app now
NOL Card holders can now check their card balance online. To do so, log in to the RTA website and select ‘My NOL Balance’ on the main page. You will need to enter your card number and click ‘check balance’. Your current balance will be displayed on the screen. You can also check your balance via the NOL app.
Final Summary:
RTA offers a variety of NOL cards with different features and prices. All cards must have a minimum balance of AED 7.50 to be used on public transport. The Blue Card is a personalized smart card with an e-purse that can be loaded with up to AED 5000. The NOL Red Ticket is a cheaper alternative to the regular ticket, as it only costs AED 2. Recharging more than once per month will provide users with additional discounts and advantages such as free trips, discounts on taxi fares, etc.