Your Nol card is about to do a lot more than get you through the Metro gates. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a next-generation Nol-Jaywan card, and the first trial starts this November.
The card brings together the existing Nol system and Jaywan, the UAE’s national card payment scheme. It will arrive in phases, starting with a pilot. Here are the five features to know about.
1. One Card for Transport and Everyday Payments
The big idea is simple. You use the Nol side for your journeys, and the Jaywan side gives you access to wider digital payment services. The RTA says the aim is to link public transport with everyday services, so residents and visitors get more ways to pay from a single card.
2. Public Transport, Taxis and Parking
The first phase begins in November 2026. It covers RTA’s public transport services, public and private transportation, including taxis, and public parking.
Behind the scenes, the upgrade uses account-based ticketing. In plain words, different transport services are tied to one connected payment system, so paying for a ride, a taxi, and a parking spot should feel more joined up.
3. Smartphone Activation
You won’t have to rely on the plastic card alone. The RTA says commuters will be able to activate and use the new cards through smartphones running Android and iOS. That gives you another way to manage your card and reach services from your phone.
If you already like skipping paper, this fits well with the push toward digital tickets. We covered the QR option in our story on Dubai Metro, Tram and bus QR code tickets.
4. Access to Transport Across the UAE
The cards are also meant to support public and private transport services across the UAE, and they can be used through online booking platforms for public transport. The RTA says this should widen how commuters reach transport beyond Dubai.
The source doesn’t name the services or cities involved, so it’s wise to wait for details before planning trips around it.
5. More Than 120 Offers and Discounts
Cardholders will get access to more than 120 promotional offers and exclusive discounts. The idea is to give people extra value when they use the card for everyday services.
No brands, percentages, or start dates have been shared yet, so treat this as a promise for now, not a guarantee of savings.
What We Still Don’t Know
The announcement lists the planned features, but several practical questions are open:
- When the card will be available to the general public
- How much the new card will cost
- Whether existing Nol cards will need to be replaced
- Which offers and partners will be included
The RTA also hasn’t said who can join the pilot, so there’s nothing to apply for yet.
What Should Commuters Do Now?
Nothing urgent. Keep using your current Nol card or digital ticket, and wait for official updates from the RTA. Be careful with anyone offering “early access” cards online, since the rollout hasn’t opened to the public.
If you want a closer look at the money-saving side of the story, here’s our piece on the new nol card arriving this month with 120+ discounts.
The Nol-Jaywan card is Dubai’s attempt to turn a travel card into an everyday payment tool. A pilot this November is only the first step, and the key details on price, replacement, and discounts are still to come. For now, it’s a plan worth watching, and one that could make daily trips a lot simpler.