Nol Card Concessions & Discounts: Students, Seniors & POD
Concession Rules at a Glance
- Students: 50% discount on single trips and 30/90/365-day passes (UAE residents only).
- Senior Citizens: 50% discount (strictly UAE Nationals aged 60+).
- People of Determination: 100% free travel on Dubai Metro and city buses.
- Children Under 5: Travel 100% free; no card or ticket required.
- Mandatory Requirement: Must hold a personalized Blue Card (AED 70 issuance fee).
Official Concession Eligibility & Fare Rates
| Category | Discount | 1 Zone / All Zones Fare | Eligibility Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | 50% Discount | AED 1.50 / AED 3.75 | UAE residents enrolled in UAE schools/universities (ages 5-25) |
| Senior Citizens | 50% Discount | AED 1.50 / AED 3.75 | UAE Nationals aged 60 and above |
| People of Determination | 100% Free Travel | AED 0.00 / AED 0.00 | Sanad Card or official disability document holders |
| Children (Under 5) | 100% Free Travel | AED 0.00 / AED 0.00 | All children under 5 years old (accompanied by adult) |
1. Student Concession (50% Off)
Students between the ages of 5 and 25 studying at recognized government or private educational institutions inside the UAE are eligible for a 50% reduction on all standard public transport journeys.
The discount applies to both single pay-as-you-go trips (e.g. 1-zone trips cost AED 1.50 instead of AED 3.00) and to weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual Nol travel passes. Student cards are personalized with the pupil's photograph and name to prevent unauthorized card sharing.
2. Senior Citizens (50% Off - UAE Nationals Only)
Senior citizens who are citizens of the United Arab Emirates and aged 60 years or older are entitled to a 50% discount across the Dubai Metro, Tram, and bus networks.
3. People of Determination (100% Free Travel)
Dubai is committed to providing universally accessible public infrastructure. Individuals categorized as People of Determination (persons with physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities) travel completely free of charge across Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and RTA urban buses.
Eligible residents must apply for the dedicated People of Determination Blue Card by linking their Ministry of Community Development card or Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA) Sanad Card. Tourists with physical disabilities can also present official governmental disability certificates at RTA Customer Happiness Centers to receive a free travel permit during their holiday stay.
4. Children Under 5 Years (Free Travel)
All infants and young children under 5 years of age travel free on Dubai public transport. No card, ticket, or advance reservation is required. When passing through metro gates, an adult passenger simply taps their own card, and the child walks through the wide accessibility gate simultaneously under direct adult supervision.
How to Apply for a Concessionary Blue Card
Application Procedure:
- Visit the official RTA website (`rta.ae`) or open the nol Pay app.
- Select "Apply for Personal Nol Card (Blue)".
- Choose your concession category (Student, Senior Citizen, or People of Determination).
- Upload required verification documents: Emirates ID copy (front and back), recent passport-sized color photograph with white background, and official school/university enrollment verification letter (for students) or Sanad card (for People of Determination).
- Pay the AED 70 issuance fee (AED 50 card creation/printing + AED 20 initial usable e-purse balance).
- The card is dispatched via courier to your UAE address or made available for pickup at your selected metro customer desk within 4 to 7 working days.
Validity & Annual Renewal Requirements
While the physical Personal Blue Card has a hardware lifespan of 5 years, the student concession status expires annually. Students must renew their educational eligibility status at the start of each academic school year by submitting an updated proof-of-enrollment certificate through the RTA portal or app to continue receiving the 50% discount.
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Special Categories & Concessions Portal— Verified 50% student/senior rules and People of Determination policies.
- Dubai Community Development Authority (Sanad Card Guidelines)— Confirmed accessibility transit integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international tourist students get a 50% discount on Dubai Metro?
No. The 50% student concession is legally restricted to students enrolled in accredited educational institutions inside the United Arab Emirates holding a valid UAE residence visa and Emirates ID. International tourist students pay standard fares.
Do expatriate senior residents qualify for senior citizen discounts?
Under RTA regulations, the 50% senior citizen discount applies exclusively to UAE nationals aged 60 and above holding a valid Emirati passport/Emirates ID. Expatriate senior residents and visiting seniors must use standard Silver or Gold cards.
Can tourists with disabilities (People of Determination) ride free in Dubai?
Yes, eligible tourists with disabilities can obtain free travel cards by presenting their official government disability certificate or Sanad card at designated RTA Customer Happiness Centers (such as Al Manarah, Al Barsha, or Umm Ramool) upon arrival.
At what age do children need their own Nol card in Dubai?
Children under 5 years of age travel completely free across the Dubai Metro, Bus, and Tram networks and do not require a Nol card. Once a child turns 5 years old, they must possess and tap their own valid Nol card.