Hundreds of passengers flocked to Abu Dhabi’s main bus station on Monday to get their hands on Hafilat smart cards before Friday’s launch of the automated fare-collection system.

Commuters can either buy temporary, permanent or personalised cards, with their photo, name and mobile number.

Cards for students, those with special needs and senior citizens are also available. They can be recharged at two kinds of automated payment machines.

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On Monday, passengers were taught how to use the top-up machines – a ticket vending machine, at which they can buy and top up cards with bank cards or cash, and a swift reloader machine, which only accepts bank notes, with no change offered.

“With the Hafilat card, you can store a monetary value electronically in the T-purse, and a weekly or monthly pass,” one staff member said. “You can top it up with Dh20, Dh50 or any amount.”

Weekly passes are Dh30 and valid for unlimited travel for seven days. Permanent and personalised cards can be recharged to a value of Dh150. A fixed weekly value of Dh30, or Dh80 a month, can be added. These tariffs cover travel only within the city of Abu Dhabi. Permanent cards – worth Dh10 – were handed out at the bus station yesterday.

The transport department said the use of coins on buses will gradually be phased out.Read More