A Complete Detailed Guide About Hafilat Card in Abu Dhabi - Prices, Recharge, & More

Key Highlights:

• Hafilat Card is a fast mode of using public transport in Abu Dhabi
• Know everything about getting a Hafilat Card in Abu Dhabi
• Process, Types, Recharge, & more explained in-depth

If you are new to Abu Dhabi, or travelling for the first time through the beautiful capital city of UAE, one of the best-suggested ways to explore this city is via public transport. Abu Dhabi’s strong and 24*7 available public bus service network is one of the best ways to get from point A to point B inside the city. However, to use the bus service in Abu Dhabi, a Hafilat Card is the fastest mode of payment. To know more about the Hafilat Card and how to get one, make sure to go through our complete detailed guide below.

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What is a Hafilat Card and why is it important?

A Hafilat Card is a modern payment method for bus ticket fares in Abu Dhabi. Consider it like your credit card or debit card that you can use to pay for bus travel in the city, as well as keep track of your journeys. This card can automatically detect the user's journey details and allows an easy and fast bus travel experience in Abu Dhabi. There are multiple positives of this card, some of which are explained below:

1. Eliminates the Need for Paper Tickets: The most basic purpose of this card is to eliminate the stress of carrying and managing paper tickets. Unlike old times, the Hafilat Card allows you the ease of travelling without worrying about buying and keeping paper tickets intact.
2. Ease of Carrying: A Hafilat Card is a single card made out of sturdy plastic. It does not easily get tampered with, and nor does the user need to worry about its maintenance. It is superbly easy to carry around and use.
3. Easy Boarding: With no paper tickets to worry about, a Hafilat Card allows you to travel without any hassles. The boarding and de-boarding process becomes quick and easy with it, saving time and effort for passengers.
4. Discounts: The multiple types of cards and short-term schemes offer discounted fares to passengers using the Hafilat Card. Hence, it also helps in saving money for passengers who use bus services in Abu Dhabi extensively.
5. Manage Expenses: Another benefit of the Hafilat Card is that it helps you easily manage your travel expenses. Additionally, you can also track your travel details and expenses, thus, easily managing your future travel routine.

How many types of Hafilat Cards are there?

To create a simple and effective ecosystem, Abu Dhabi’s government has created six types of Halifat Cards. These cards are basically differentiated on the basis of the use and services chosen by customers. To get a better understanding of these types, below is a brief along with the use of the types of Halifat Cards:

1. Contactless Smart Ticket (CST): The CST or a smart ticket is basically a card that has a short-term validity of a month from the date of purchase. It is available free of cost for the first month, and then it can be recharged according to the use pattern.
2. Anonymous Smart Card (CSC): The CSC is a permanent card type available for all citizens, offering a validity of up to 5 years. It can be purchased at a minimal cost of AED 10 from any of the card vending options.
3. Senior Citizen Smart (SCS): The SCS is basically a specific card type that has been designed for senior citizens only. It can be availed at AED 5 and the validity of it is for 5 years.
4. Special Needs/Disabled Card: The special needs/disability card is made for travellers with physical or mental disability, thus, helping them to use special services as such reserved seats on the buses. It can be availed only for AED 5 and it has a validity of 5 years.
5. Contactless Smart Personalized Card (CSC): This is a permanent card type that is available at AED 10 and has a validity of 5 years across Abu Dhabi bus terminals.
6. Student Card: As the name suggests, this is the card type that is specifically made for students. To avail of this card, a student needs to show their ID proof of their institution, therefore, availing the card at just AED 5. It has a validity of 5 years.

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What is a Halifat Card Pass?

For passengers who travel frequently and use buses more than ordinary passengers, Abu Dhabi’s government offers a Hafilat Card Pass. This pass has a validity of unlimited use, depending on the type of pass chosen. All of these passes are differentiated from each other with their validity and longevity as well as the use dependency of passengers. Below are a few benefits that a Hafilat Card Pass offers to customers:

• It saves the travelling time of passengers as they do need not to queue up every day in the ticket vending line. This also increases the overall pace of travelling in Abu Dhabi.
• Another benefit of a Hafilat Pass is that it offers ease of use. Customers can get the pass made within a few minutes, and then they need not worry about recharging it for the next couple of weeks, depending on the validity of the pass.
• A Hafilat Pass also offers a small discount for everyday travellers. It is recommended for passengers who use the bus service every day or very frequently in the city, as the pass will help them save money.

What are the different types of Hafilat Card Pass?

Depending on the frequency of use and services, a Hafilat Card Pass is sold in three main types. These have been explained in depth below:

1. Weekly Pass: The Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi issues a weekly pass for travellers looking for a short-term card pass. It has a validity of 7 days and it will cost AED 30 for citizens to get it availed.
2. Monthly Pass: As the name suggests, it is a pass that has a validity of 30 days or one month. This allows passengers to save more money than the weekly pass, and it is usually beneficial for passengers who travel a lot. A monthly Hafilat Card Pass will cost you AED 80 in Abu Dhabi.
3. Senior Citizen Pass: In lieu of keeping the senior citizens at their utmost comfort, the ITC issues a senior citizen Hafilat Card Pass that is free of cost. It has a validity of 1 year and it needs to be renewed within a span of this time. Also, to get this pass, a passenger needs to show their UAE ID, a copy of their resident visa, and a copy of their lease contract.
4. Special Needs/Disabled Pass: The ITC also offers a special pass for passengers with human disabilities. This pass is free of cost and has a validity of up to 1 year. It can be availed at any of the ticket office machine counters that are present at every bus station or terminal. A customer can get this card availed after showing their valid UAE ID and a valid medical report stating the disability.
5. T-Purse: It is a type of virtual wallet that passengers can use within the city limits of Abu Dhabi. Customers can recharge their T-Purse Hafilat Card Pass as per the requirement via online and offline modes. The charges for the T-Purse pass include -  AED 2 for boarding + 5 fils/kilometer (within the city), and AED 2 for boarding + 10 fils/kilometer (for Intercity and Expressway).

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Where can you purchase the Hafilat Card in Abu Dhabi?

Buying a Hafilat Card in Abu Dhabi is super easy. There are multiple outlets and ways that you can use to buy a Hafilat Card within minutes. These are explained below:

1. Bus Stations and Terminals: One of the easiest ways to purchase a Hafilat card is your nearest bus station or terminal. The select bus stations have a dedicated counter where you can purchase a new Hafilat card or pass, depending on the requirement. Additionally, the KIOSK machines installed at these stations/terminals, offer card vending and car recharge services as well.
2. Ticket Vending Machines: Abu Dhabi is a smart city, and the government has placed smart vending machines that passengers can use to buy Hafilat cards. A simple process of smart-touch helps in creating a new card easily.
3. Certified Sellers/Retailers: In lieu of extending the Hafilat card services to a maximum number of citizens, Abu Dhabi’s government has authorized multiple retailers or resellers like supermarkets, department stores, and more. These authorized retailers offer Hafilat card services for travellers.
4. DMT Customer Service Centers: The Department of Municipalities and Transportation (DMT) also offers a similar service via dedicated customer service centers. These service centers are spread across Abu Dhabi, and customers can get a new Hafilat card or pass made using the nearest center. The best part is that these centers are operational 24/7; providing extensive support to the citizens.
   

If you are looking to buy a Hafilat Card via your nearest bus station, below is the list of Bus Stations/Terminals with Hafilat Card facilities:

• Main City Bus Terminal
• Abu Dhabi International Airport
• Bani Yas Bus Station
• Mussafah Bus Station
• Shahama Bus Station
• Al Sila Bus Station
• Ghayathi Bus Station
• Liwa Bus Station
• Madinat Bus Station

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Hafilat Card Recharge Process- How to do?

Recharging a Hafilat card is an easy process. Considering the fact that this card has been specifically designed to cut down travel time and make travelling easy, the recharge process involved is also quick and convenient. There are majorly two ways to charge the Hafilat card - online and offline. Both of these methods are explained step-wise below:

Online Recharge Method

Online recharge of the Hafilat card is a simple process and the most convenient as well. Used by the majority of passengers, this method allows time saving and ease of effort. The Department of Municipalities and Transport has made a specific online portal where you can fill in your credentials and then easily recharge your card. We’ve sorted the step-by-step process of recharging the Hafilat card online below:

1. Login Hafilat Card Online Recharge Portal - Click Here
   The first step of recharging your Hafilat card includes visiting the online portal. The link above will take you to the homepage of the recharge portal. Once clicked, the portal will ask for your details for creating login credentials. If you wish not to create a login ID, you can also proceed to avail services without it. This portal allows you to pay fines, recharge your card, and register a new Hafilat card as well.
2. Complete Your Credentials & Select Amount
   Once you are done with the first step, the second step is to enter the details of your card. This includes the serial number of your card which is present at the backside of it. Once done, the portal will ask you to enter the amount that you wish to recharge. The selected amount can be anything within the range of AED 10 - AED 100.
   
3. Proceed for Payment
   Once you have selected your amount for recharge, proceed with the ‘add product to your basket’ option. This is basically an online cart where your final order will be pending for the last step of payment. Now, go to the cart and select for payment option. You can either use your credit card or debit card to pay the desired amount of recharge that you have selected. Once done, you will receive a recharge confirmation message on your registered mobile number within the next 48-72 hours.

Apart from the above-mentioned online method, there are various mobile apps as well that provide the service of recharging the Hafilat Card. These mobile apps are very convenient and help in recharging the Hafilat Card with the desired amount within seconds.

Offline Payment Method

Just in case you are not comfortable with the online method, you can also opt for the regular recharge through the offline method. You can follow the below-mentioned steps for an easy offline recharge of your Hafilat card in Abu Dhabi:

1. Visit Your Nearest Hafilat Sales Outlet
   To get your hafilat card recharged, you can visit your nearest authorized sales outlet. These sales outlets are usually certified retailers like supermarket stores or departmental stores. Additionally, you can also visit your nearest bus station with ticket vending machines or authorized card vending counters. Here, the authorized personnel will take care of your card recharge.
2. Submit Your Card
   Once you have reached out to the designated personnel responsible for recharge, provide them with your card handover. The designated person will then enter your card details in their computerized system, and ask you for the desired amount of recharge. This amount can be anywhere from AED 10 - AED 100.
3. Submit Amount
   After you have selected the desired amount fo recharge, you can submit the amount in any format - cash, via credit card, or via debit card. The balance amount will be returned to you if you are using the cash method.
4. Card Return
   The designated personnel will then return your card to you after the payment is successful. Your card will be updated with the new balance that you recharged it with.

Hafilat Card Balance- How to check?

Similar to the recharge process, the Hafilat Card balance check can also be done easily in a few steps. Users can either visit the authorized physical stations or use online methods to check the balance of their Hafilat Cards. If you wish to check the balance of your Hafilat card by using an online method, make sure to follow the below steps:

1. First, visit the official Hafilat Website online portal. Once done, log in with your credentials and go to the ‘check balance’ tab on the right. If you have not registered on the website, you will need to create an account and then proceed with these steps.
2. After you have clicked on the check balance tab, the next step is to enter the details of your card i.e. the card number which is present on the back side of your card.
3. Once you have entered the card serial number, click on OK to request confirmation. After this, the website page will display your remaining balance on the Hafilat card.
4. You can also use the same online portal to recharge your card if your balance is less.

Your Question, Our Answers!

1. How much minimum balance can I keep in my Hafilat card account?
   If you are going to use your Hafilat card frequently or regularly, it is mandatory to keep a minimum amount of AED 10 in it. Rest, you can add more depending on your travel and requirements. The maximum amount that you can keep is AED 100.
2. How do I get my Hafilat card renewed?
   If your Hafilat card has reached its timeline validity, you can easily get it renewed by visiting your nearest Hafilat card service center. There, a designated official will help you in renewing your card. All you have to do is submit the required documents, i.e. a valid UAE ID, and pay the renewal fee.
   
3. Will I get a refund if I submit my Hafilat card back?
   In case you are done with the use of your Hafilat card, it can be re-submitted to your nearest card service center. The service center will take your card and refund you the pending amount in your Hafilat account. You will need to submit a refund request form with your details and card details in it. The refunded amount will be reflected in your bank account within a time of 3-5 days It is a very convenient service, especially for tourists who plan to visit Abu Dhabi for a short time.
4. Can I hand over my account to someone else for use?
   If you are done with using your Hafilat card, we recommend you return it at your nearest Hafilat card center. While you can give it to your known or relatives for using it further, it will be still registered against your name.
   
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