Special Features
RTA To Add More Feature to Nol Cards
Before the end of the year, Nol cards, which are now used for public transportation, will be enabled to function as an e-wallet that will allow people to use them at groceries, Mohammad Yousuf Al Mudharreb, Director of Unified Automated Fare Collection Department, said in an exclusive interview.RTA is already in talks with prominent grocery and supermarket chains to get their support and participation in the implementation of the new feature for the Nol card.
The initial response from merchants has been very positive, he said.
"Merchants would prefer use of Nol cards because cash handling costs them money as they often employ cash management companies."
"And many credit card companies are not interested in these small amounts of money because it does not benefit them much," he said.
The touch-and-go-technology used in Nol cards would mean that customers will not have to wait in queues and sign slips, as they do when using their credit cards and debit cards. Customers can just scan and leave, similar to the way they exit Metro Stations.
Current card holders will not have to buy new cards to enjoy the new feature. They can simply use their existing cards with sufficient funds.
