Dubai Smartphone app to pay bills revamped and relaunched

DUBAI // A smartphone application allowing residents to pay utility bills, traffic fines and Salik charges has been redesigned and relaunched.

The mPay app by Dubai Smart Government has been completely revised, said Ahmad bin Humaidan, director general of the DSG.

Users of the original app, launched in November last year, met long delays and a complicated interface.

"It has been completely re-engineered from the bottom up," said Mr bin Humaidan. "It's now integrated completely with all government departments and there is no waiting time if someone wants to pay a bill.

“In addition, people can see how much they need to pay and it is updated straight away. We have developed this app with extensive support and cooperation of our government partners to provide a convenient package of utility and bill payments.”

The redesign followed extensive feedback from customers. The app had been downloaded 13,000 times from the iPhone and Android app stores, Mr bin Humaidan said.

There were 53,000 transactions and Dh15 million in government fees collected through the app.

He said he expected the number of downloads to double.

The app is connected to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Etisalat, the Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Police.

Services include mobile phone and broadband bill payment, Dewa bills, traffic fines, Salik and Nol cards.

It follows a wider initiative by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to improve smart government.

Mr bin Humaidan said DSG planned to offer a wider range of apps to cater for residents' demands, some of which would be released at the GITEXGitex technology show next month.

“This is just a sample of what we will be offering,” he said. “There are many more projects under development that will change the way people access government services.”

mcroucher@thenational.ae