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Sharjah to Launch e-card System for Public Buses

SHARJAH — Passengers of Sharjah public buses will enjoy an electronic payment system with discount offers within two months.

Being launched by the Sharjah Public Transport Corporation, the smart cards called ‘Sayer’ can be used in the corporation’s all transport services.

Director-General of Sharjah Transport Abdullah Al Zari said on Tuesday that the new system is aimed
to make bus fare payment convenient to passengers.

“The convenient method of e-payment will save users’ time instead of paying for a ticket for every bus trip.”

Under the system, passengers can charge their smart cards as much as they wish. They can use the balance amount in a specified time.

“Passengers have only to insert their smart cards into a card reader machine fixed in the bus which will automatically deduct the due fare,” Al Zari told Khaleej Times.

Besides, the passenger needs to pay only Dh4 when buying the card the first time. “They can then recharge the card with not less than Dh20 at a time.

“By that, they can enjoy a 50-fil discount per trip.”

An average trip costs Dh3.5 instead of the current Dh4, which is now paid in cash. People with special need to pay only Dh3.

Al Zari said Sharjah Transport is planning to introduce discounts for student taking monthly subscriptions.

Reacting to the announcement, Egyptian teacher Mohamed Ashmawy said the new service would save passengers’ time and effort.

“We no longer need to stand in queue to get a ticket whenever we take the bus,” he said.

Pakistani cashier Tahir Rashid said adopting electronic services in all government transactions makes things easier. “With the smart card, one can pay for the ticket faster and more conveniently,” he said.

Indian grocer Nufal Mohyeldeen said the smart card will save him money. “Being a daily passenger of Sharjah buses, and having a discount on every trip, I will definitely save more money,” he said.

The cards will be available at the corporation’s public bus stations and select locations in the emirate.

“The name of the card ‘Sayer’ has been carefully selected in standard Arabic language to match all passengers,” Al Zari said.

The project is to be run in collaboration with Kuwait-based KGL Company franchised to run the public buses in the emirate. The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai launched the first phase of its Automatic Fare Collection System in the form of e-cards for people travelling in public buses in May this year. It launched Nol cards, which can be used in Metro trains as well as buses, in September.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.ae