UAE | Traffic and Transport
Residents avoid Salik gate
On the first day of Salik, Sharjah residents commuting to Dubai appear to have decided not to enter the toll zone in Al Garhoud to avoid paying the toll fee.
- By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
- Published: 11:45 July 1, 2007
- Traffic flow on the Garhoud Bridge at around 8am on Sunday.
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Sharjah/Dubai: On the first day of Salik, Sharjah residents commuting to Dubai appear to have decided not to enter the toll zone in Al Garhoud to avoid paying the toll fee.
The usual one and half hour morning journey was reduced by half, as many people seem to have opted for alternative routes rather than head towards Al Garhoud where the first toll gate has been installed.
It took this reporter, who left Al Khan area at 7:45am, around 45 minutes to reach Al Safa. Traffic flow to the Garhoud bridge appeared to have reduced by more than 50 per cent.
Motorists driving on Al Ittihad road experienced some slight congestion up till the Airport road where majority of the motorists were heading towards the clock tower roundabout.
Have your say
Have you bought a Salik tag? If you haven't bought one, why? Do you plan on buying the Salik tag or will you just avoid the toll gates? How did you find your commute today? Was traffic a breeze or where you caught in a traffic jam?
Your comments
We have enjoyed the drive on Sunday morning. We left Rolla at around 7am and reached Jumeirah at 7:40am. It was a dream come true. The Dh4 reduces a lot of stress.
Selvarajan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 13:07
The first day of Salik has caused a massive traffic jam from the Airport Road to the Clock Tower in Deira.
Ann
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 12:15
I visited eight petrol stations to buy a Salik tag yesterday and was told each time that they have run out of stock. It was extremely silly and I had to take the Business Bay bridge to avoid the toll gates.
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 11:59
I was in Dubai for the weekend and I had to purchase the Salik tag so as not to be penalized on my way out to Abu Dhabi. Now I realize that I am not going to use it frequently.
Karim
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 11:36
Salik has made things worse. I live in Barsha and it now takes me 30 to 45 minutes to get in and out of the place.
Nadia
Dubia,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 09:44
I stay in Greens and have bought a Salik card. I travel to Dubai and back and am ready to pay the toll fee. But now, getting out of Greens takes 20 minutes and getting in from Shaikh Zayed Road takes 60 minutes because people who want to avoid Salik are using roads around the Greens.
Rinsy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 08:16
The effect of Salik will be visible once the schools are functional. It is holiday time now and nearly 50 per cent of the transport comprising of school buses are off the road.
Evon
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 08:04
I bought a Salik tag just in case I need to pass a toll gate. As much as possible I take an alternative route.
Romeo
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 07:54
Why we are so happy that Salik reduced traffic congestion? Just wait till September when all residents will be back here after enjoying their vacation.
Agha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 07:52
My commute was torture and I don't even need to use the toll roads to get to work. I live in the Arabian Ranches and I had to go to a 9am meeting at the Green Community. Traffic on Emirates Road was stationary between the Ranches roundabout and the next one and I arrived an hour late for my meeting. Then I had to go to the office in Media City and got caught in the Al Barsha flyover tailback for an hour and 40 minutes. I have no other way of getting to work other than joining the toll dodgers on the Emirates Road and Al Barsha flyover. I'm preparing a packed lunch for this morning's commute.
Jacqueline
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 07:51
Salik has made the Shaikh Zayed Road easy but the other roads a nightmare. Neither the residents nor the city is ready for Salik because many residents do not have the financial means as well as the culture of using tolled roads. The city does not have alternatives to tolled roads either.
Mustafa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 02, 2007, 07:39
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