Many countries are moving towards a cashless society. In London or Hong Kong, you can fly through your day without ever touching paper money. Our society is not immune to this changing way of paying for goods and services. Just a few short years ago, credit cards and online payments were not the norm and now they are an increasingly unavoidable part of life.
The introduction of the Hafilat smart card for bus travel is a step towards a truly cashless society. The Hafilat card will replace coin payment on public buses in Abu Dhabi. Before we bemoan the removal of cash on buses or warmly embrace this move, let’s reflect on a small detail.
A cashless society is all about ease, convenience and security. Without a simplified and streamlined process, the change will cause more problems than it solves. One universal smart card, possibility linked to one’s Emirates ID, would be a good way to facilitate this change and improve our lives.
