How to travel cash-free on Abu Dhabi buses

Abu Dhabi commuters will soon find the ease of traveling with a reloadable transportation card, applicable in all public and intercity buses with the launch of a new automated fare collection system named Hafilat.

The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi announced today that it is gearing up to roll out an advanced automated fare collection system next year under the name of “Hafilat”, with an integrated infrastructure of sale and balance reloading channels that have different features and facilities.

The Hafilat card will enable the commuter to enter the bus by simply swiping the card along the card validator, placed at the entrance and exit point. The machines automatically calculate and deduct the fare as the passenger enters and exits the bus, and provides passengers with balance information.

Introduced in all buses in Abu Dhabi and Alain, an integrated purchase and reload system is planned to be rolled out with easy access for all commuters.

Firstly, the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM), which allows users to independently buy and top up their cards as well as pay fines for violating public transport rules and regulations, will be installed in main bus stations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain as well as in shopping malls. These TVM’s will accept credit cards as well as cash, with the ability to return change if needed.

The second component is the Swift Reloader Machine - a much simpler machine that allows commuters to simply recharge their “Hafilat” cards. This machine only handles bank notes and unlike the TVM, does not return change. 300 Swift Reloader Machines are being installed in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain bus stations as well as in customer care centres, bus shelters, and many points of interest such as the Abu Dhabi International Airport, shopping malls and hospitals.

In addition, an onboard service is also available for inter-city busses only, which enables passengers to purchase temporary “Hafilat cards” from the driver and reload their existing permanent “Hafilat” cards by paying the driver directly, the fare is then deducted automatically.

It is also noteworthy to mention that “Hafilat” will offer ticket offices, to be located in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Bus Stations, where commuters are assisted by official personnel if they wish to purchase different kinds of cards, personalise their cards with names and photos, renew their cards, place complaints and pay for fines. A lost and found service will also be available.

Khaled Mohamed Hashem, Executive Director of the Land Sector at the Department of Transport, said: “The launch of ‘Hafilat’, the automated fare collection system, is in line with the DoT’s strategy to provide easy, convenient and flexible solutions for commuters to reload their cards and pay for their trips via various safe accessible channels, thereby avoiding long queues to enter and exit the bus.”

“Following the rollout of the service, the DoT will work to equip the cards with further features such as mobile or online payments as well as the potential to pay for other transport related services including taxis, ferries, Mawaqif or even possibly to pay for other non-transport related services such as cinemas and football matches”, he added.

Following the official launch of the cards in the coming year, the DoT will study public response, carefully assessing suggestions and feedback in order to ensure the public comfort in using the system.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.