By Ashfaq Ahmed, Deputy UAE Editor www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued exclusive Silver and Gold Nol Cards for public transport users in Dubai to commemorate the opening of the Green Line of Dubai Metro.
The Green Line, the Metro’s second, is set to open on September 9.
“We are launching a limited edition of only about 10,000 cards to commemorate the opening of the Green Line,” said Abdullah Al Madani, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Corporate Technical Support Services Sector at the RTA.
He said the new cards feature a special design marking the opening of the Metro’s Green Line and will be sold at a price of Dh35 per card including credit of Dh14.
“The RTA is always seeking to roll out ideas that fit effectively and positively with key events. Opening of the new line has prompted us to offer public transport users in Dubai a chance to acquire distinctive new Nol cards in a limited edition,” he said
All the exclusive Gold and Silver Nol Cards will be sold only at the Metro stations.
Meanwhile, according to RTA statistics, more than three million Nol cards have been sold until July this year since the launching of the Metro on September 9, 2009.
“This comes to an average of more than 5,000 Nol cards of different categories being sold every day and it shows how fast the public transport system is getting popular in Dubai,” said Al Madani.
Nol silver card is the top seller, with sales records showing about 3,000 cards being sold daily.
Al Madani said the Metro has yet to complete its second full year, but the number of commuters, now more than 150,000 daily, is showing an upward trend due to its efficient services and facilities.
Al Madani said due to this radical change in the public transport sector in Dubai, the daily transactions of Nol cards are on an unabated rise.
The RTA offers four categories of Nol cards — Red, Silver, Gold and personalised Blue Cards. It also offers discounted Blue Nol Cards for students and senior citizens in addition to monthly passes. Those with special needs have free passes.
