Salik 'will worsen traffic situation in Dubai'

Dubai: Residents and business leaders have said Dubai's current road infrastructure cannot handle the traffic diversions that will result from the road toll system, Salik, suggesting a delay until alternatives are in place.

Their apprehensions came as Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), yesterday announced the authority's strategic plan, revealing Dh45 billion will be spent on development projects until 2020.

Due to be implemented on July 1, the toll system set up by the RTA will charge motorists Dh4 per crossing at its two toll gates at Garhoud Bridge and near Mall of the Emirates on Shaikh Zayed Road. The toll ceiling per day is Dh24.

Adel Bel Shalat, Managing Director of Bel Shalat Real Estate, told Gulf News that the current road network in Dubai cannot accommodate a toll system, saying it needed to be studied before implementation to avoid rushing into introducing it.

The CEO of Al Habtoor Group, Mohammad Al Habtoor, said Salik would result in traffic being diverted to residential areas. "Those living in Jumeirah and Al Wasl will face even more traffic now," he said.

Michael Banas, Operations Manager at Subway restaurant, said the location of the toll gates would cause more traffic jams. "The gates should be located close to Dubai-Sharjah road to divert motorists to Emirates road," he said.

Residents said the system should be rethought since it will add more pressure to the already crowded highways that motorists will use to avoid paying the toll.

Abdul Aziz Hassan Ahmad, a 34-year-old government employee, doubted the effectiveness of the system, saying it was not fair to pay a fee and continue to wait in traffic.

'Won't buy tags'

Another resident said the Salik website does not provide comprehensive information on the toll system.

In Gulf News polls, readers have aired their reservations on the system. To a question, do you think the road toll will reduce congestion on Shaikh Zayed Road, 71 per cent said no and just 29 per cent said yes. On the Dh24 toll ceiling, 70 per cent said they would less likely use the tolled road, 18 per cent said they are not bothered and just 12 per cent said they were more likely to use it.

To another question on when they would buy the Salik tag, 49 per cent of readers said they will not purchase them.

Sales of the Salik starter pack around Dubai were off to a slow start, according to a manager of a petrol station close to Shaikh Zayed Road.

"We have only sold about 10 starter packs since they became available on the market," he said, adding that other locations saw better sales.

UAE based readers - How will Salik affect your daily life? Will it be detrimental to your business?

I am really scared that salik is about to come, I have been using Al Khail road to reach Al Quoz and already I am spending 3 hrs on the road and I am beginning to prepare myself for even giving more share from my day to the roads. Truthfully my day is divided between three segments i) Job ii) sleep iii) commuting and hardly I am able to give time to my children, I don?t know from which slot I will have to extract this extra hours which salik will impose on me, because definitely the situation will be worse on the alternative roads because it is limited and big population now works towards Jebel Ali because this is the area which is under massive development. Let?s hope for some good news.
Irfan
dubai,uae

We are already facing major traffic congestion on all the roads in Dubai; introducing salik will worsen the situation.
Khalid
Dubai,UAE

As far as I see the toll system, it is generally going to add more traffic to the highways, especially the Emirates road. People who work in Jebel Ali are going to be more affected with this. People will try to avoid the Shaikh Zayed road to stay away from the toll which would eventually add more pressure on Emirates road or subsequent parallel roads. I don?t see any way by which this system is going to ease the traffic problem in Dubai but just aggravate it. The Garhoud and Shaikh. Zayed roads might be traffic free but who wants to use them as 70 per cent of the public don?t want to use the tolled roads (unless for people who work there). Public transport, school and college buses, etc. passing through these areas will make an added value to its monthly charge because of this system.
Meera
Dubai,UAE

Without making any alternative roads /means the implementation of toll gates is just an additional cost added to the life in UAE like the parking fees.
Swapna
Dubai,UAE

I think Salik is a bad idea in the present time. I agree with all other readers, the un-availability of sufficient road and transportation structure will result in worse traffic jams. The only difference that will happen is that the traffic jams may clear around Shaikh Zayed Road, but it will get much worse within the city. I lived in Dubai for 3 years and I know how difficult it is to try to divert to another street.
Wissam
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Introducing a toll system is a good idea to reduce traffic through particular roads and to divert some percentage to other free roads. But the time which RTA has introduced is totally wrong as all other alternative roads at present are under maintenance due to metro or other reasons. ''Dubai the city that cares'' should make it clear that the alternate roads should be convenient to the traffic and the intention is not only making money but also to provide a smooth life to Dubai residents.
D. Raj
Dubai,UAE

Agree to the fact that the toll systems are necessary to curb the traffic, but this has to come into place when you have a good alternative road and transportation infrastructure, meaning alternative roads that are able to cater to the current traffic and when the Dubai Metro go live.I think the authorities need to rethink about the toll system.
Naushad
Dubai,UAE

What benefit will toll have for the common man when an alternate road is not provided? Is this just another way to make money and burden residents who are already suffering with inflation and high rents. This is clearly not fair. The effect of tax free benefits is nullified by schemes like this
Smith
Dubai,UAE

There simply are no alternatives. Public buses are unreliable and overcrowded at best, taxis are often unavailable and alternate roads are also jam packed. The RTA should have used the funds to expand and accelerate the metro project instead. A park and ride metro station at the Dubai-Sharjah border for Sharjah residents would be far more effective in getting cars off the roads.
Shezanne
Dubai,UAE

I am a resident in Sharjah, and I feel that there should not be any toll system in UAE. Firstly, the RTA should concentrate on relieving traffic situations which are getting worse everyday. They should be more concerned with the welfare of the road networks especially when they have decided to close down certain routes for expansion. It seems this way Dubai govt. is trying to force people into using the toll system and give a further boost to Dubai earnings. We should be given the liberty to choose options with the comfort of traffic solutions.
Nabiel
Sharjah,UAE

Salik will add woes to already crippled traffic management system of Dubai. All construction activities and developments should have been preceded by a well planned infrastructure development which can handle the huge traffic associated with the present boom in all fields. The toll system should be postponed till the construction of major intersections and critical road constructions are over. Commercial aspect of this toll system: middle class income people cannot afford this Dh24/day.
Corbet
Dubai,UAE

I don't think RTA have done a thorough study or research on the benefit of introducing toll gates. I don't think Dubai is ready for Toll gate yet. Once the govt. provides better means of transportation like improved buses, trains, etc. then it should implement toll gate. This is definitely not the right time.
Hanan
Dubai,UAE