How to check RTA Nol card balance online?
The Nol card is a convenient facility offered by the Dubai RTA. Users can use it to make payments when using trams, buses, metros, or any public transport in the city. It is a big help in making parking-related payments too.
The Nol balance can be checked online at the website of RTA. Continue reading to know more about the Nol card and the various steps for checking the balance online.
What is a Nol card?
Launched in August 2009, the Nol card is a smart card or an electronic ticketing chip issued by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai. The credit card-sized device can be used by the holder when using public transport like trains and buses in Dubai.
‘Nol’ in Arabic means fare, and it is written as نول in Arabic. The contactless chip, developed by Octopus Cards Limited, a Hong Kong-based tech company, is capable of storing prepaid funds so that the user can use it whenever required. It is mandatory that it is credited with funds before travel else the passenger cannot use it.
The typical way of using the Nol card is to tag it on or off at the e-terminals in buses and e-gates at metro stations. When it is purchased for the first time, the user needs to pay a designated amount as a one-time fee. The passenger has to buy it from the metro station or at the bus terminus. Topping up the balance can be done offline at ticketing offices or online. The mode of payment includes cash, credit, or debit cards.
Due to its effectiveness, it has received various awards. One such accolade has been bestowed by the Smart Card Awards ME 2013 for the ‘Best Prepaid Card in the Middle East.’
Benefits & Types
Benefits
The biggest advantage of the card is the reduced waiting time for passengers when queuing up at ticket counters. The authorities promote the use of this plastic chip by offering discounted fares to passengers. These are some of the benefits of the Nol card:
- People of determination can travel for free on the metro and buses when using the Blue card.
- Senior citizens and students get up to 50% discount on the fare with the Blue card.
- The integrated chip is tamper-proof and has an antenna that ensures safety and security.
- No need to carry cash in your wallet anymore. It is a multi-purpose chip that can be used not just for travel; it can be tapped to order groceries, breakfast, light snacks, fuel, etc., from about 2,000 stores around the metro stations. The maximum amount that can be spent is up to AED 200.
- It is a user-friendly, easy-to-use chip.
- This card can be used in Dubai on land and water while traveling by bus, metro, tram, and water bus. It can also be used to pay for parking fees at RTA-approved parking areas, Dubai Public Parks, about 2,000 retail and food outlets, and the Etihad Museum.
Types
There are four categories of the Nol card. These are –
Red Ticket: Red Colour is for tourists & occasional users and can be used only in buses, metro, and trams. However, it cannot be used for private tours, desert safaris or camel rides. It is a paper-based ticket that can be bought from a ticket vending machine. Each ticket is valid for a period of 90 days from the purchase date and can be bought with AED 2. The user can use it for 10 or lesser number of journeys. The special feature is that it can be used as a monthly pass or for unlimited one-day trips. It is anonymous by nature.
Silver Card: Silver Colour is for frequent travelers and is applicable for all modes of public transport. The validity period is 5 years from the purchase date. You can maintain a balance of up to AED 1,000. The first-time cost of purchasing the ticket is AED 25. The cost of each trip is calculated automatically and gets deducted from the balance. The maximum duration of journey allowed for this category daily is 180 minutes.
Gold Card: The Gold Card is the premium category with special features. For example, the users can access gold card privileges in metros and trams and travel in luxury in the specially-reserved Gold Class seats in Dubai Metro. Like the Silver chip, it is also valid for 5 years from the issue date and can be used across all public transportation modes. The first-time cost is AED 25. Daily, the rider can travel for up to 180 minutes (maximum). The cost of the trip is calculated automatically and deducted from the balance.
Blue Card: This is for regular commuters, students, elderly people, and people of determination. It is applicable for all transportation modes and is valid for a period of 5 years. The difference between the silver and blue categories is that the user has a secure balance in case it gets misplaced or lost. It costs AED 70 upfront and can be loaded with up to AED 5,000. Trip cost calculation is automatic and deducted from the balance. It has a photo – hence, is personalized. The user gets SMSs and email notifications. There’s a discount for students, senior citizens, social affairs beneficiaries, and people of determination.
The RTA keeps introducing specially designed cards from time to time. In such cases, the Nol card features iconic landmarks of the city like the Burj Khalifa, Trade Center, Burj Al Arab, and so on. It is done by the authorities for familiarization purposes. The RTA also, from time to time, launches limited edition cards to mark special events.
Where to buy a Nol card in Dubai?
It can be purchased from the Dubai Metro station ticket counters as well as Dubai bus station ticket offices. The Red and Silver ones can be bought from Ticket Vending Machines. The Blue chips can be purchased online. The Silver cards can be purchased from the RTA authorized sales agents and customer service centers.
How to check my Nol card balance online?
If you use your Nol card regularly, you can check the balance by a simple tap on the electronic machines upon entering the bus or at the electronic gates as you enter the metro station. However, if you are not a regular user or you are nowhere near a metro station, how will you check the balance?
Thankfully, RTA has provided a facility wherein passengers can use the website to find out the balance on the smart chip.
These are the steps to follow:
- Open the site:https://www.rta.ae/wpsv5/wps/portal/NolBalance
- You will find several boxes. One of them will say, ‘Check Nol balance.’ Click this button.
- You will be prompted to enter your Nol tag ID. This ID can be found on the backside of the plastic chip at the lower bottom of the left-hand side.
- Enter the ID. Wait for a fraction of a second, and you will be able to see the balance on your card.
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How to check my Nol balance on my mobile?
To check the balance on your mobile, follow these steps:
- Download the app ‘RTA Dubai’ on your mobile.
- When you open the app after the installation process is completed, you will find the button ‘Check Nol Balance.’
- Press the button.
- It will ask for your tag ID.
- Enter the ID. Press on the button ‘View Balance.’
- Within seconds, your exact balance amount will be visible on the screen.
Nol card balance check with number
It is pertinent to mention here that the balance can be checked only when you have the unique tag ID or the number with you. This is present on the backside of your card. In case you have lost it, you need to report the same to RTA at the earliest.
To check the balance using the tag ID, please refer to the steps mentioned above.
How to check my Nol card balance online?
You can check the nol card balance by going to the RTA website. For detail procedure, please refer to the steps mentioned above.
Nol Minimum Balance
The minimum balance required to keep it activated is AED 7.50.
How to use nol card?
Users need to ensure that the smart card has the minimum balance.
Steps to use it –
- You will find the e-readers at metro stations, the entrance of buses, trams, and water buses.
- Hold it on the e-reader for checking in.
- If the ‘check-in’ is successful, there will be a beep or green light. Pass through the gate.
- When you need to get down, approach the gate of the bus/water bus/tram or the electronic machines at the metro station.
- Again, hold the card on the e-reader machine. Once it beeps or there’s a flash of green light, pass through the gate, alight the vehicle, or leave the station.
- Finally, when the fare is deducted, check that the correct amount has been applied.
Nol card usage
The smart chip can be used for the following purposes:
Transportation
- You can travel using any means of public transportation within Dubai using the chip. This includes buses, trams, metro, and water buses.
- You can pay parking fees at RTA-authorized parking sites.
Non-Transportation
- Use the RTA chip for micro-payments to buy food and groceries.
- It can be used at ENOC and EPPCO gas stations for fuel.
- Visit Museums and Parks like the Etihad Museum, Al Khor Park, Quranic Park, etc.
Concession
The concession is offered only on the Blue ticket, which is a personalized card. A 50% discount is applicable when traveling by bus, tram, or metro in Dubai. This discount can be availed by students between the age group of 5 and 23 years, senior Emirati citizens who are above 60 years of age, and social affairs beneficiaries.
The service is free-of-cost for kids below 5 years and for people of determination.
Top-up
Topping up is simple and involves 2-3 basic steps. Below are the important points:
- The minimum balance on it should be maintained at AED 7.5 for regular usage.
- For anonymous categories, the maximum amount for top-up is AED 1,000, and for the personalized chips, up to AED 5,000.
To charge it, follow these steps:
Online Method
- Open the site:https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/nol/topup-nol
- Enter the tag ID.
- Enter your registered email id.
- Click on the CAPTCHA to notify that you are a human.
- Click on Confirm to make the payment.
Offline Method
- Nol ticket vending machines are present at almost all metro and bus stations and stops in Dubai. It can be recharged at such machines.
- It needs to be placed on the machine. It will display the card type and the current balance.
- Select the option ‘Nol Recharge Amount.’ You can use cash or other means to recharge it. You need to provide the exact change as the machine will not return any money.
- Make the payment. The ‘Print Receipt’ screen will appear once the payment is done. You should not remove the card till you see the ‘Print Receipt’ screen. It is a confirmation that the payment has been received and the top-up has been completed.
Top-up can also be done using the RTA Dubai App.
Conclusion
Use the Nol card to travel easily on public transportation in Dubai. Remember to maintain the minimum balance and top it up regularly to avail of all the services hassle-free.
FAQs
Can the Nol chip be used for paying taxi fares?
Yes, it can be used to pay in RTA taxis.
Does it work in Abu Dhabi?
It can be used in intercity buses, but it cannot be used while using public transportation in Abu Dhabi.
