Do you frequently use public transport in Dubai? If so, find out what The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has in store for all public transport users. For the sixth Public Transport Day being held on the 1st of November, RTA is giving away prizes such as gold and laptops to the most frequent travelers. Other RTA projects include innovative changes in the city such as smart bus stations and shopping facilities at metro stations.
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Public Transport Day prizes & events
Prizes and events for the sixth Public Transport Day will kick off from 20th of October. Events include fitness competitions, fitness classes, basketball competitions. As for the most frequent travelers of public transport there are prizes to be won such as gold, Mac laptops and Apple watches.
How do I participate?
Gold and silver NOL cardholders are required to register their name using the RTA app or website. Personalized blue cardholders can participate directly. Prize giveaways will be based on a point system as for every check in and check out, commuters will get 50 points. The commuter with most points collected on their NOL cards will qualify for a draw to win prizes.
What prizes can you win?
There will be 50 winners in total with 10 winners in each prize category. The prize categories are as follows:
- First 10 winners to collect a 1,000 points will enter a draw to win 100 gms gold bar
- The next 10 winners get an Apple Macbook when they collect 750+ points
- Third set of winners get Apple watches when they collect 500+ points
- Fourth set of winners get headphones when they collect 350+ points
- Fifth set of winners get a Gold NOL Card when they collect 250+ points
Also, RTA will have daily draws where commuters get a chance to win 50 gms gold bars everyday from 20th October to 1st November at metro stations.
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Are you a fan of selfies?
Other RTA activities are also bound to please all the selfie addicts in Dubai. If you want to make the most of your daily commute to work or home, find any of the 30 hidden envelopes in public transports, click a selfie with it and upload it using the hashtag #PTD2015 to win prizes. Even if you can’t find the envelope, you can still participate. Just take a selfie on any public transport and upload it using the hashtag #PTD2015 and get a chance to win GoPro Cameras, Beats headphones, smart watches and self-balancing scooters.
Shop at the metro station
Here’s one way you can save time doing your chores on your way home. According to RTA, soon you will be able to shop for groceries or other commodities using interactive screens placed at metro stations. Your purchased items will than get delivered to any location such as your home or work. To make this service more convenient, RTA is considering to let commuters pay with the NOL balance on their cards or Etisalat balance on their phones. These smart malls will be initially launched in select metro stations – Mall of the Emirates, Damac Properties, Dubai Internet City, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Baniyas Station
Want to use NOL card for more than just paying fares?
New personalized NOL cards (Blue, Silver and Gold) can be issued directly from the RTA app or website using your Emirates ID. New NOL cards can also be used for e-payments such as Salik and smart parking app. Also watch out for the launch of RTA’s smart watch and other accessories with NOL cards functionality.
Smart bus stations
RTA is planning to evolve the bus station by including air conditioners and Wi-Fi facility. The smart bus stations will also offer services to recharge NOL cards, government bill payment machines, mobile phone charging stations, advertisement screens and sale of refreshments. The bus stations will duplicate the metro station concept which in turn will increase use of the public transit system. Over the next two months 50 stations will be set up around the city and another 50 are expected to be set up by next year.