Cashless commute! A guide to the Sayer card in Sharjah
Public transportation, such as buses, trains and taxis, is vital for people to get around in cities and towns. In fact, it can be a more affordable and environmentally friendly option than driving. Many cities use transport cards to make public transportation faster and more convenient. The Sayer card in Sharjah is one such example. It is a contactless and reloadable smart card, allowing riders to pay fares with a simple tap.
Learn more about different Sayer cards, how to register, use and reload them and where to buy them through this guide.
Travel Smart with a Sayer Card!
Sharjah Road and Transport Authority (SRTA) manages the public transport in Sharjah. To make using buses quicker and easier for residents, the SRTA has introduced the Sayer card. This convenient system eliminates the need to carry cash. You can tap your Sayer card on the reader when boarding a bus to pay your fare.
Different Types of Sayer Cards in Sharjah
There are three types of Sayer cards in Sharjah, including:
The Blue Card
The Blue or Sayer discount card offers a reloadable way to pay for bus rides in Sharjah. You can purchase this card for AED 50, AED 95 or AED 185, and it has a five-year validity. The blue card comes with a one-time fee of AED 5, which includes the 5% VAT. This fee is deducted from your initial top-up amount.
With the blue card, you get a 25 per cent discount on the original price, lowering the Sayer card price from AED 8 to AED 6.
Grey Card
The grey card or Sayer subscription card is a game-changer for frequent Sharjah bus riders. You have to pay a monthly subscription of AED 225 and enjoy unlimited bus rides for 30 days. The card costs only AED 5 (including VAT) and is valid for 5 years. Just remember to renew your monthly subscription to keep riding!
White Card
The white card is a free travel pass for Sharjah residents with disabilities or who are receiving social assistance. It allows them to use public buses for one year for free.
However, you must renew the card each year for a fee of AED 25. You can obtain a replacement card for the same fee if the card is damaged or lost.
How to Register Your Sharjah Sayer Card
Before initiating the Sayer card registration process, you must buy the card from a Mowasalat bus driver, Jubail bus terminal, Sayer card vending machines or other retail points.
Once you have the card, follow these steps to register successfully.
- Visit the Mowasalat registration page
- Enter the number mentioned on your Sayer card
- Take a photo of the card and attach it to the required field
- Enter the cardholder’s name, date of birth, gender, residential address and contact number
- Select the Emirate
- Enter the Emirates ID number or passport number and upload a copy of the same
- Select your nationality
- Enter the registration date
- Provide a password to complete the registration
Please note that unregistered Sayer cards cannot be transferred if lost or damaged. Hence, you must register your card with Mowasalat. If you have a registered card, you can block its further use and transfer the balance to a replacement card.
How to Recharge Sayer Card Sharjah
Topping up your Sayer card can only be done in person. You’ll have to visit a bus station or hop on a Mowasalat bus to reload your card.
Here’s how you can recharge your card:
- Board any Mowasalat bus.
- Inform the driver you want to recharge your Sayer card.
- Tell the driver the amount you’d like to add.
- Hand your card and the cash to the driver.
- Once processed, the driver will return your card along with a receipt. This receipt will show the previous balance on your card and the amount you just added.
How to check Sayer’s card balance online?
For now, you have to manually check the balance on your card since the option to check online is not available.
Every time you pay your bus fare with your Sayercard Sharjah, you’ll receive a receipt showing the deducted amount and your remaining balance. This makes knowing how much money is left on your card easy.
However, if you have a grey Sayer card with an unlimited monthly subscription, you don’t need to worry about checking your balance – hop on and ride!
Sayer Exempt Category
The Sayer Exempt Category card, issued by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), allows people with disabilities, elderly residents and social assistance beneficiaries to travel on Mowasalat buses within Sharjah free of charge.
To be eligible for the Sayer Exempt Category card, the applicant must be/have:
- UAE National or UAE resident
- Disabled or elderly (must have a card from the Ministry of Community Development confirming the disability)
- A card for beneficiaries of social services and be registered in the Department of Social Services
To apply for the exemption, the applicant must submit the following documents on the Mowasalt website:
- Personal Photograph
- Copy of passport
- Emirates ID copy
- Copy of ID card from Ministry of Community Development
- Copy of ID card from Department of Social Services
Once you’ve applied for your Sayer Exempt Category Card (new, renewed or replacement), you can collect it at the SRTA office located at the Al Jubail Bus Terminal Cashier Office.
The office is open every day of the week from 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. for your convenience. However, remember to bring a valid Emirates ID for verification when picking up your card.
FAQs About Sayer Card Sharjah
What is the difference between Sayer cards and normal tickets?
Sayer Cards are reloadable. This means you can easily top up your card on the bus, saving precious time. Plus, Sayer cards offer discounted fares compared to buying individual paper tickets.
What can I do if my Sayer card is lost or stolen?
Immediately call the customer service hotline at +971-600-522282 and report your card serial number in case your card is stolen or lost. Mowasalat will send its agent to disable the card within 48 hours. However, only registered Sayer cards can be disabled.
Where to buy a Sayer card?
You can purchase and recharge Sayer cards by asking the driver on the Sharjah public buses or by visiting the Al Jubail Bus Station.
This concludes our guide on Sayer card Sharjah. If you commute frequently within Sharjah for work or leisure, familiarise yourself with Sharjah bus stations for a hassle-free experience.
Similarly, if you are travelling to the capital, our guide on bus service from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi can be useful. Moreover, those going to RAK can review our Sharjah to Ras Al Khaimah intercity bus post to plan their trip accordingly.
On the other hand, our folks in Dubai can use RTA nol cards to easily pay for multiple types of public transport, including the metro, bus and RTA taxi.
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