UAE: Nol cards applicable for booking Etihad Rail passenger train tickets
Ticketing via the card will be among the range of booking and payment solutions accessible for the nationwide railway network. Soon, travelers can utilize nol cards for Etihad Rail passenger train journeys once operations commence across the UAE.
This ticketing method is described as "one of the various ticket booking and fare payment solutions" for travel on the pan-UAE railway network. This development occurred as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the World Government Summit. The MoU signifies the initial phase of a collaborative effort, with the RTA tasked with developing ticket booking and fare payment solutions through its nol system.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, emphasized that these ticket reservation and payment systems will serve Etihad Rail passengers throughout the UAE, aiming to deliver integrated, user-friendly, and efficient digital services. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of Etihad Rail, highlighted the operator's intention to capitalize on the RTA's proficiency in implementing smart technologies and solutions.
The number of active nol users has exceeded five million, with over 30 million cards sold since the system's inception in September 2009. The RTA recently unveiled a project to modernize the existing nol system, transitioning from traditional plastic card technology to a digitally-driven approach, incorporating a digital payment system using central transportation tariff wallet technology.
United Arab Emirates trains are intending to connect eleven localities between Al Sila and Fujairah; the precise launch date is still up in the air, but passengers may expect speeds of up to 200 kmph between stops. These trains are anticipated to reduce travel times by 30–40 percent when compared to more conventional modes of transportation.
By 2030, the number of passengers is expected to reach more than 36.5 million annually. Etihad Rail recently provided a glimpse into its passenger trains during the inaugural rail journey between Abu Dhabi city and the Al Dhannah region.
