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Hafilat for beginners

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If you want to use a bus in Abu Dhabi, don’t expect to be able to use cash.

From the middle of May, the new Hafilat cards have been the only way to pay for a bus journey (unless you still have an Ojra card – you can’t buy one any more but existing Ojras will be valid until November).

Coins should no longer be accepted on the buses for travel, but that hasn’t been communicated well to some bus drivers.

Hafilat – which means ‘buses’ in Arabic – is a pre-paid card, much like a debit card, that allows you to travel on any of the Department of Transport’s (DoT) public buses.

Some of the fare rates have changed, too. Travelling anywhere within the city still only costs AED 2, but travelling to the suburbs now costs an additional 5 fils per kilometre. Inter-city bus rates start at AED 10 with an extra 10 fils per kilometre.

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It took us a while to understand the system, but here’s our explainer:

There are six different cards to choose from for different purposes: one Temporary and five Permanent.

Temporary cards cost AED 5 and have a validity of 14 days. These cards are issued at the main bus stations, a few shopping malls, the airport and even on the bus by the drivers. We recommend this card for tourists and people who don’t use the public bus service often.

The basic Permanent card costs AED 10. You can have a personalised card with the same features and your name and picture on it; that costs AED 5 (the DoT would prefer that you have the personalised card for practical reasons).

Other Permanent cards are special versions for senior citizens, people with special needs and students. Senior citizens and Special Needs cardholders can use the bus services for free and are not required to recharge their card; students get a discount.

These can only be issued at the Ticket Sales Office and the Customer Service Centre in the DoT as you need to show ID and other necessary documents.

All permanent cards are good for five years.

Any card can be recharged using a new family of Ticket Vending machines and ‘Swift Reloader’ machines in various points around the city including some bus stands, shopping malls and hospitals.

The Hafilat card is a small step towards the Surface Transport Master Plan that aims to revolutionise public transport in the capital by 2030. However, this initiative by the DoT has received mixed reviews since its launch. While some commuters find it convenient to not have to carry change, others are simply confused.

Tell us what you think. Email us at [email protected]

For more information about public transportation in Abu Dhabi visit: www.dot.abudhabi.ae

16 Responses to Hafilat for beginners

  1. Cherry May says:

    I bought my Hafilat card for 1-month use, last September 3, 2015, Thursday, and then I used it last Saturday but when I’m going to leave the bus and try to check out , the system keeps on telling Check Out not allowed. What does it mean? Every time I check out it always reminding me this message and then whenever I will check in on the other day it keeps on telling Please Remember to check out. Please clarify. Thanks

    • Rachael Peacock says:

      Hi Cherry May,

      Please contact the Department of Transport if you have any problems with your Hafilat card. They should be able to advise you. http://dot.abudhabi.ae/en/info/contact_us

      Thanks,
      The ADW Team

    • Alee says:

      Check out after the doors are open for exit, It should work… Even i had faced the same issue initially :)

  2. ziyaudeen says:

    Hi,
    I have hafilat card when i try to refill in the hamdan street and electra street machine its booth are not working. then i try to the bus all so i cant refill. then how can i refill it? and i hope that department all so give better service to public.

    • Rachael Peacock says:

      Hello Ziyaudeen,

      We’re sorry to hear you’re having so much trouble with the Hafilat card. We are a magazine that simply presents the facts so if you’re having any issues you will need to contact the Abu Dhabi Transport Authority directly.

      Good luck.
      The Abu Dhabi Week team

  3. ziyaudeen says:

    And your customer care conduct number all so not working 800 55 555

  4. mildred says:

    hi…i bought my hafilat card from the machine along electra street and everyday im travelling via A1 bus going to ADAC but when i punched my card its not working…can someone do tell me why its not working? i bought Permanent Card for AED 90 ( Monthly Pass AD-80dhs; CSC Anonymous-5dhs; Deposit-5dhs)…thank you in advance

    • Rachael Peacock says:

      Hi Mildred,

      Please contact the Department of Transport who should be able to help you with any questions about your Hafilat card: 800-888 88

      Thanks,
      The Abu Dhabi Week team

  5. Ayesha says:

    I am a student living in Abu Dhabi and with schooling in Dubai. I want to know what fare I will have to pay, the discount rate and the stops the bus makes in Dubai (a map would be extremely convenient)so that I can find one closest to my school.

  6. Virendra Verma says:

    Hi,

    If i am travelling by A1 bus for Airport. Can i pay cash for ticket or hafilat card is only option.

  7. Arun says:

    Hi sir can you tell me the validity of 20 dirhams card

  8. Vanita says:

    Dear Sir / Madam,

    Please can you tell me how can I recharge my Hafilat card online.

    Thanks and Best Regards

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