Dubai RTA Increases Nol Card Minimum Top-Up to AED 50: What You Need to Know

Starting August 17, 2024, if you want to add money to your Nol card at Metro station ticket offices in Dubai, you will need to put in at least AED 50. Before, the minimum amount was AED 20, but now it has been increased to AED 50. This change is to make the process faster and to help reduce waiting times at the stations. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) shared this news on the X(Twitter) social media platform.

Understanding the New Minimum Top-Up Requirement

Here’s what you need to know about the changes coming to your Nol card.

New Minimum Top-Up: If you add money to your Nol card at a Metro station ticket office, you must put at least AED 50 on your card. This change is only for in-person top-ups at the ticket offices.

Online and Other Options: If you top up your Nol card balance online, at vending machines, or through other methods, you can still add as little as AED 5. These options let you recharge your card with a smaller amount.

Balance Requirement: To ride the Metro without any problems, make sure you always have at least AED 15 on your Nol card. This amount covers a round trip on the Metro.

Usage of Nol Card: The Nol card is a prepaid smart card you can use for many things in Dubai. It works on the Metro, buses, trams, and waterbuses. You can also use it to pay for taxis, parking, entry to public parks and museums, and even at over 2,000 stores.

Loyalty Program: The RTA has a Nol Plus program that rewards you with points whenever you use your Nol card. You can use these points to get discounts and other benefits at different places.

This increase is meant to make adding money to your Nol card faster and to improve the overall experience for people who use public transport in Dubai.

Why Did the RTA Increase the Minimum Top-Up Amount?

Here’s why the RTA decided to make this change.

Reducing Queues: The main reason for this change is to make the lines at ticket offices shorter and faster. By making the minimum top-up AED 50, the RTA wants to speed up how quickly people can add money to their Nol cards, so everyone spends less time waiting.

Encouraging Online Use: The RTA is also encouraging people to top up their Nol cards online using the Nol Pay app or the RTA website. Here, the minimum top-up is still AED 5. This helps take the pressure off ticket offices and makes it easier for people to manage their cards.

Overall, this increase is part of the RTA’s plan to make public transport better and quicker for everyone in Dubai.

How This Change Affects Nol Card Users

Let’s see how this change will impact you.

Increased Top-Up Requirement: If you’re adding money to your Nol card at a Metro station ticket office, you’ll now need to top up at least AED 50 instead of the old minimum of AED 20. This mostly affects people who like to top up in person.

Alternative Top-Up Methods: You can still add as little as AED 5 to your Nol card using other ways, like online, the Nol Pay app, or vending machines. These options let you avoid the higher minimum if you prefer.

Balance Maintenance: To make sure you can always complete a round trip on the Metro, it’s best to keep at least AED 15 on your Nol card. This advice stays the same, even with the new top-up rule.

Loyalty Program Benefits: The RTA’s Nol Plus loyalty program gives you points every time you use your Nol card. You can use these points for top-ups or discounts at different stores, which makes using the Nol card more valuable.

Streamlined Operations: The RTA hopes this change will make ticket offices less crowded and help commuters spend less time waiting in line.

Overall, while the new top-up amount might seem like a lot at first, using other top-up methods and taking advantage of the loyalty program can make it easier. Try out these options to see what works best for you.

Alternatives to the Nol Card for Public Transportation

Here are other ways you can pay for your rides in Dubai.

Cash Payments: You can pay with cash when you get on buses or enter Metro stations, but cash fares are higher than Nol card fares. For the Dubai Metro, cash fares range from AED 4 to 8.50, depending on how many zones you travel. If you use a Nol Silver card, it’s cheaper, costing only AED 3 to 7.50.

Single Journey Tickets: If you only need to travel occasionally, you can buy a single journey ticket for the Dubai Metro. This ticket costs AED 2 and can be used for just one trip. These paper tickets are disposable and cannot be recharged like a Nol card.

Nol Red Ticket: The Nol Red Ticket is a good option for tourists or people who don’t travel often. It’s a paper ticket that costs AED 2 and is valid for 90 days or up to 10 trips. You can use it for only one type of transport at a time, and it can be recharged for up to 10 journeys or 5 daily passes.

While these options give you flexibility, the Nol card is still the best choice for regular commuters. It works on all public transport and offers cheaper fares compared to paying with cash.

Read More About Other Alternatives to the Nol Card for Public Transportation

Tips for Managing the New Top-Up Requirement

Here are some easy ways to handle the new top-up rule.

Utilize Online Top-Up Options:

• Nol Pay App: This app lets you top up your Nol card without needing AED 20. Just download the app, sign up, and add money to your card using your smartphone.
• RTA Website: You can also use the RTA website to recharge your Nol card. It’s easy to use and helps you keep track of your balance.
• DubaiNow Application: This app is another good choice for topping up your Nol card online. It’s simple and fast to use.

Plan Your Top-Ups:

• Try adding a bigger amount to your Nol card less often. This way, you don’t have to keep going to the ticket office, and it helps you manage your money better.

Maintain a Healthy Balance:

• Always keep at least AED 15 on your Nol card to make sure you can pay for a round trip on the Metro. Check your balance often so you don’t run out of money before your trip.

Take Advantage of Nol Plus:

• Join the Nol Plus loyalty program to earn points every time you use your Nol card. You can use these points for future top-ups or discounts at stores, which can save you money.

Use Vending Machines:

• If you like topping up in person, try using RTA ticket vending machines or solar top-up machines. These might let you add smaller amounts than the new AED 20 rule at ticket offices.

Explore Alternative Payment Methods:

• If you don’t travel often, you can use cash or buy single journey tickets for your trips. This way, you can avoid the minimum top-up rule completely.

By using these tips, you can manage the new top-up rules while making things easier and saving money.