Palm Jumeirah Monorail passengers could use RTA smart cards
The palm jumeirah monorail
People having Smart or Fare Card, which will be launched by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) soon, will be able to use the same while commuting on the Palm Monorail, officials of Nakheel, developers of the project, have said.
The new transport system of Palm Jumeirah will be opened for the public in April this year. Earlier, officials had announced that the monorail would be extended to link it with Dubai Metro via the proposed Al Sofouh tramline.
Chris O’ Donnell, CEO of Nakheel, said Nakheel and the RTA had decided upon a joint ticketing system.
“Our cooperation with the RTA extends as far as a joint ticketing system that will enable holders of a RTA fare card to pay for journeys on the Palm Monorail,” he said.
In 2007, the RTA announced the Dh102-million Unified Automated Card Project which will cover all modes of transport, including buses, taxis and abras, and also for parking.
As per the initial plan, the system will first be introduced in buses, taxis, abras and waterbuses. Phase two will see the Dubai Metro also starting to accept the card.
It will be a cash-free system under which commuters need to use the card to make the fare payments. These smart cards can be recharged once the balance is over.
Last week, Nakheel hosted a delegation from the RTA on the Palm Monorail’s first official ride.
The delegation, led by Rail Agency CEO Abdulmajid Al Khaja, travelled from Gateway Station at the trunk of Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis Aquaventure Station.
“When we connect the Palm Monorail to the Metro, we will be able to offer passengers a journey from Dubai International Airport to the hotels on Palm Jumeirah, using just one card,” Khaja said.
The monorail will initially carry up to 2,400 passengers per hour per direction on four separate trains, each made up of three cars.
