e-go card sale attracts Global Village visitors

'This special service is yet another initiative from Dubai Municipality to facilitate easy buying of the e-go card,' said Essa Al Douseri, Acting Director of Dubai Municipality Public Transport department.

This facility is an addition to the growingly popular Global Villages bus service, he said.

'Also, various activities and competitions at the Public Transport Department's Global Village stall that offer different prizes reflect our commitment to the visitors and passengers,' said Al Douseri.

'The e-go card attracts a large number of people as it helps them financially by offering discounts and total convenience. It promotes the use of public transport buses as a result helps to reduce traffic congestion in the city,' he pointed out.

The e-go card provides a complete new mode of payment of bus fares. It streamlines passengers' commuting. The passengers now do not need anymore to reach into their wallet or dig into their pockets.

Faster than using cash, the e-go card moves with a show-and-go speed thus it saves on time providing hassles-free travel. It is a pre-paid electronic card enabling cash-less travel and passengers can further save time by putting more money on their cards.

Among the various benefits the e-go card entitles every cardholder is a special discount of 10 percent on travel fare. In addition to this financial advantage the consumer is allowed to use it for stipulated discounts at the various retail outlets in Dubai, which are being tied-up as loyalty partners with the e-go card.

The card use is simple. The passenger steps into any Public Transport bus, places the e-go Card on the ticket machine, informs the bus driver of his intended destination and collects the ticket. The money on his card is automatically adjusted. His ticket provides all the details including the balance amount stored in the card.

Any UAE national, resident or non-resident of UAE or traveller to the Emirate of Dubai is eligible to use the card.

The e-go card saves the bus driver's time in different transactions as a result it helps save travel time between destinations and increases overall efficiency and growth in passenger numbers.

A very contemporary, colourful and environment-friendly e-go card matches the modern, dynamic and progressive image of the Dubai Municipality. The e-go card is not just another plastic or a debit or credit card. This easy-to-use, easy-to-load and easy-to-replace card is surely becoming the Dubai traveller's first choice. e-go cards are available for use on Public Transport buses under three options:

Period pass option: This multi-ride option is for the regular bus rider who desires to possess a monthly bus pass. The passenger needs to visit any of the eight Public Transport bus stations, buy a card at Dhs5 and pay Dhd90 against the pass value for travel anytime, many times within the specified limits.

Thereafter for one calendar month, he/she can step into any Public Transport bus, show the pass to the bus driver and wave it over the ticket machine to ensure its validity. The month is calculated from the date the passenger uses the pass for the first time on the bus and not from the date of issue. At the end of the month, the passenger is required to bring the card to any of the bus stations, pay Dhs90 and extend the pass validity by one more month. The area of validity is revised for the monthly pass.

Purse option: This option is available for travel throughout the bus network at a fare discount of 10%. Under this option the passenger is required to pay Dhs5 and pay Dhs20 to initially load the card. Later on recharging and renewal he pays Dhs20 again or in the multiples of 10 if he desires to pay. At retail outlets the passenger needs to show the card at the cash counter to avail the benefits.

Student Option: For students special monthly pass is available at Dhs60. The student needs to produce a valid student identity card to avail the card.

Discounts up to 50%: The privileged e-go card holder is entitled for attractive discounts at various retail outlets that have teamed up with Public Transport as e-go card partners dealing in electronics, jewellery, footwear, textiles, money exchanges, medical centre, pharmacies, food courts and also travel agencies.

Prominent companies that have agreed to offer discounts ranging between 10 to 50 per cent, special facilities and rewards include: Jet Airways, Alukkas Jewellers, Murad Enterprises (Liberty Footwear), Lulu Hypermarket, Al Ansari Exchange, Dr. Moopen's Group, Al Sayegh Brothers, Dubai Optical, Gulf Wings Travel, Rose Photo Studio, Al Ghandi Electronics, Majan Travels, Nishi Textiles, UAE Exchange, Farook Stationery and Al Bayan Newspaper, Jumbo Electronics, Lamcy Plaza (for selected outlets), Al Ansari Exchange, and Dabaan Trading (Rimador Watches).

The card is also sold and recharged at the Dubai Municipality Public Transport Bus Stations. It is also available at Customer Service Centre in Karama. The card is sold against cash. Also, all major credit cards are accepted.