Roads & Transport Authority - Mohammed Al-Munji: H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) announced the details of the contract signed between the RTA and Electronic Documents Center (EDC) "Octopus Co." to introduce the Unified Automated Card Project covering all modes of transport and parking; the first-ever of its type in the Middle East, at a cost of AED102 million.
This was unveiled in the press conference held yesterday in the presence of Abdulla Al Madani, CEO of Corporate Support Services, H.E. Abdulla M. Alashram, Chief Executive Officer of EDC, Ismail Al Abbas, Vice Chairman of Al Abbas Group, Brian Chambers, International Operations Director, Octopus Knowledge Limited, Deema Gandalf, Senior Administrative Advisor of IBM, engineer Ali Mahdi, Director of Unified Automated Card of Transport Systems, engineer Ramadan Abdullah, Director of Rail Operations Dep't, and a number of RTA departmental directors.
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer stated that the multi-modal unified automated card project provides the best and smoothest services of transport systems. "The project envisages provision of a unified e-card for all transport modes, including public buses, marine transport modes (abras & water buses), and Dubai Metro in addition to parking" he said. Al Tayer further pointed out that this card is safe, difficult to counterfeit and modeled after established worldwide specifications. It is manufactured by more than one manufacturer; accordingly multiple purchase sources are offered. Moreover, the card meets the future requirements of the e-payment systems i.e. the possibility of adding multiple & diverse applications. It could be sold at the commercial outlets, petrol stations and ATMs; this makes it accessible to our customers, and enhances the confidence of public transport & parking users in the services delivered by the RTA.
"The scheme is based on the use of contactless smart cards (Type A Mifare) that will hold an electronic purse, also known as a pre-paid stored value purse. The intention is that passengers of multi-modal public transport services, including taxis, and users of parking facilities, will be paying for their services through deduction from the electronic stored value purse. The cards will be sold and can be topped up (value added) at Metro and Bus Stations as well as designated authorized agents. Facilities will also be provided for 'Auto Top-up' where cards are linked to a designated credit or debit account of the cardholder that will be debited for every top-up performed through the system. Internet Top-ups will also be available" Al Tayer added.
The Chairman of the Board & Executive Director of the RTA pointed out that the scheme aims at encouraging the public to use mass transit modes through enabling bus, metro and marine modes passengers, as well as users of parking facilities to pay for their services through deduction from the electronic stored value purse (the card). It can also be used in payment of some low-value purchases (micro payments) from commercial outlets and bodies to be designated later on. He said that all transactions, including sales, top-up, and usage transactions, will be processed through a central clearinghouse operated under the direct control of RTA, through Unified Card Dep't.
Al Tayer further added that the Card covers the use of Dubai Metro, public buses, marine transport modes, and car-parks. "RTA is keen to provide diverse types of cards to meet all requirements of the community sectors such that they include single ride card, ten rides card, daily cards, weekly cards, monthly cards and prepaid cards".
H.E. Mattar Al Tayer commented on the implementation chart of the scheme saying that in the 4th Quarter 2008, the unified card service will be launched for public buses, water bus, and parking meters. In the 3rd Quarter 2009, the unified card will be launched in Dubai metro, whereas in the 4th Quarter 2009 more services customer care related services will be introduced through the web including, online loading (topping) up, automatic reload, to start using the unified card on the metro.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2007
