The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently signed an agreement with the Dubai Municipality allowing for operating and collecting fees of public facilities run by the Municipality in the Emirate via NOL card. The agreement is made in the context of the Dubai Government efforts to boost the cooperation between public entities in the interest of the local community, and in support of the Smart City initiative of the Dubai Government. 

Abdullah Al Madani, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector in RTA’s Head Office signed the agreement and signed it for Dubai Municipality Mohammed Abdul Kareem Julfar, Assistant Director General for Corporate Support Sector of the Dubai Municipality. Nasir Abu Shehab, Acting CEO of RTA’s Strategy & Corporate Governance Sector, in addition to officials from both parties, also attended the event. The agreement, which will be put into effect early next year, provides for using RTA’s NOL card in levying the entry fees of public facilities of the Municipality.

The two parties agreed to put the agreement into practice at four public parks namely, Al Mamzar Park, Zabeel Park, Mushrif Park, and the Creek Park. RTA has to install electronic systems for selling/recharging NOL cards according to places, quantities and specifications defined by both parties, while the Municipality undertakes to furnish the RTA with rules & legislations of relevance. 

Julfar stressed the importance of this agreement and this project, which epitomizes the deep strategic relationship between the Dubai Municipality and RTA in providing joint services for the happiness of community members by offering them smart technological services accessible to all community segments. “Public parks in Dubai are iconic entertainment avenues in the Emirate and attract more numbers of visitors each year. This new service contributes to easing the accessibility of parks via smart gates compatible with the Government’s transition to smart services,” he noted.

“The agreement with the Dubai Municipality underscores the commitment of both parties to broaden their partnership to better serve the public and make them happier. It comprises detailed provisions governing the collection process and all aspects needed to ensure a smooth implementation, which is slated to start early next year. This course of action is part of the continued cooperation of Dubai Government departments in support of the Smart City initiative with the aim of delivering services that make people happier by capitalizing on smart means aligned with the highest international standards,” said Al Madani.