Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed upgrading 165 out of the 262 ticket vending machines across metro stations.
The new machines feature several improvements, including faster transaction processing time.
Through this initiative, the RTA aims to achieve two significant goals: upgrading devices to enable digital payment transactions for recharging nol card balance, and enabling these devices to return change in the form of paper or coin currency.
Hassan Al Mutawa, director of rail operations at the rail agency, RTA, said: “The renovated TVMs have a stylish design and distinct colours to help customers spot them easily at each station. These devices reduce transaction processing time by 40 percent, ensuring passengers have a smooth and comfortable experience.”
“As part of the upgrades made to the TVMs at the Red Line and Green Line metro stations, the machines can handle both banknotes and coins, which meets customers’ needs. Riders can also now complete nol card recharging process much faster, which reduces waiting time at TVMs,” he added.
Increasing digital payments
Al-Mutawa further added: “The RTA strongly focuses on financial sustainability and operational efficiency, with a key objective being the secure digitisation of services. To encourage customers to adopt digital payments, RTA plans to increase the current 20 percent segment of nol users adopting digital methods in the Dubai Metro. This will reduce the logistic services associated with cash handling.”
Metro Blue Line
Late last year, the Dubai Metro announced an expansion project. A Blue Line with 14 stations will add to the Metro’s growing network. The $4.9 billion project is expected to be completed in 2029, according to the RTA. If the deadline is met, it will coincide with Dubai Metro’s 20th anniversary.
Read: The inevitable link between the Dubai Metro Blue Line and real estate
The new line will add 30km to the Dubai Metro, zipping around major areas. These include Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, Global Village, Rashidiya, Warqa, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, Academic City and more. It will serve 1 million residents and accommodate 200,000 passengers per day by 2030. A decade later, it is likely to cater to 320,000 passengers daily.
The Dubai Metro has so far served two billion passengers since it first opened on September 9, 2009, the RTA said last year.
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