If you live in Dubai then chances are pretty high that you’ve used a nol card in your life.
Regular users of the public transport smart card will make sure that their card is topped up with the right amount of cash to get around the city.
But from Saturday March 1, the minimum fee to keep it topped up is increasing from Dhs5 to Dhs20 at Dubai Metro vending machines.
The move was announced by the Roads and Transport Authority on social media in a bid to make journeys smoother for passengers.
أعد تعبئة رصيدك عبر قنوات الدفع الرقمية، ووفر الوقت والجهد. حيث سيكون الحد الأدنى لإعادة شحن رصيد بطاقة #نول عبر أجهزة بيع التذاكر 20 درهماً بدءًا من تاريخ 1 مارس. لتجربة تنقل أكثر سلاسة على متن المترو مع #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات.
لمزيد من المعلومات، يمكنك مراجعة صفحة دليل… pic.twitter.com/k4HqVS8ErL— RTA (@rta_dubai) February 25, 2025
Minimum top-up fees at Dubai Metro station ticket offices were changed to Dhs50 back in August so it’s still cheaper to use a machine than queue up at the desk to keep your nol card charged.
The RTA has suggested that passengers use digital methods to keep their balance topped up instead to make sure that journeys are smoother.
The RTA Dubai app, the nol Pay app and the transport authority’s official website have all been suggested as alternative ways to top-up which will mean you don’t need to queue up at stations.
Top-up fees apply to the silver, blue and gold nol cards. The standard issue single red ticket will remain at the same price.
Commuters should also have a minimum of Dhs15 on their nol card when using the Metro to cover a round trip. One-way fares range from Dhs3 to Dhs15 depending on area zones and the class you choose.
The nol card can be used on all forms of public transport in Dubai and even pay for access to attractions, buy dinner and groceries.
Source: Timeoutdubai
