Smart payment system for public bus services is now a reality in Abu Dhabi following the announcement by the Department of Transport of a new sustainable system which will use ‘Hafilat’ smart cards. The automated payment service which takes effect on May 15 will ensure that customers can buy and recharge the cards anytime and the fares will be deducted per trip depending on the distance travelled. Other services being fronted in the same card include weekly and monthly passes. It is a good idea for anyone planning a vehicle sale to be aware of these new changes.
The public buses will now feature a fare collection device at the entrance and the commuters are only required to pass the card over the device thus recording the trip start point and on exit, the same process is repeated thus calculating the cost of trip. The automated system will then deduct the fare from the e-purse and commuters can top up their cards when they wish.
The new service is expected to ease the fare collection process, reduce congestion on the bus areas during boarding or descending buses as well as offer a sustainable solution. According to the department, the system will be implemented in phases to eventually cover all public buses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Speaking about the system, Mohammed Nasser Al Otaiba, Acting General Manager of Bus Office at the Department of Transport said “This smart card or ticket deducts the fare of bus trips directly from cash value stored in the T-Purse. The fare is calculated automatically based on the distance of passengers’ journey from the moment they board the bus until they descent.” He also added that the features of the card include registration thus safeguarding the balance in case of loss of the card.
The infrastructure laid out for this system is in place with automated payment devices for topping up the cards already fixed in different locations across the emirate. These devices enable both cash and credit card payments which makes it convenient for travelers. If you are planning to sell your ride and travel by bus for a few days, do take note of the new system.
