Photos: Shihab
Dubai commuters may soon be able to use their palms to ride the Metro without needing a Nol card, with the technology expected to be rolled out by 2026, according to an official from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). "We are currently testing this technology at our centre of excellence at RTA, and it requires at least a year and a half of thorough testing and quality assurance," said Salah Almarzooqi, director of the Automated Collection System at the authority. "Only then can we introduce it to the market, making it ready for rollout by 2026 or later," he added.
During a demonstration of the system at the RTA’s stand during the Gitex Global technology exhibition, authorities showcased how commuters could link their palm with a Nol card. This would allow them to scan their palm at the smart gates at Metro stations, facilitating easy passage. The cost of the journey would be automatically deducted from the linked Nol card.
Almarzooqi further explained: "RTA is developing this project as part of its transition to an account-based ticketing system. With this, a passenger can pay for the Metro, buses, and any public transport simply by scanning their palm. Additionally, as Nol cards are accepted in various shops, once this concept is finalized and approved, we plan to expand the system so that you can also pay at these shops using your palm."
Previously, an official from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) informed Khaleej Times that a solution to provide faster, seamless services using the palm of the hand, linked to entities in both the public and private sectors, is being developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE.
Almarzooqi also mentioned the significant interest in the newly introduced Nol cards for tourists. "The tourist card was launched in June, and we have observed a substantial number of people purchasing it. When tourists arrive in Dubai, they can obtain this card at the airport for Dh150, which can be used for the Metro, tram, buses, and even receive discounts at over 800 vendors across the UAE, primarily in areas such as desert safaris, hotels, and other tourist attractions," he noted.
In February, RTA introduced a new Nol card tailored for school and university students, which also functions as an internationally accepted student ID card, offering access to thousands of services and discounts worldwide. The student Nol card provides discounts at various vendors including Emirates, booking.com, Qatar Airways, YouTube, Spotify, and Noon.
