Businessmen feel timing is not right

Dubai: Businessmen who have reservations about the introduction of a road toll have said that although Salik could eventually ease the flow of traffic, it lacks adequate preparation and planning to be implemented so soon.

Mohammad Khalaf Al Habtoor, CEO of Al Habtoor Group, said the problem with Salik lies with the timing of its implementation rather than the tolling system itself.

A frequent user of Al Wasl Road, Al Habtoor said he expects longer traffic jams on the road "since people trying to avoid Salik will end up using Al Wasl Road".

Adel Bel Shalat, Managing Director of Belshalat Real Estate, told Gulf News that a flat fee during rush hours would be more convenient for businesses.

Rushed decision

"The transport infrastructure in Dubai is not ready to accommodate Salik yet. It seems like this is a rushed decision that hasn't been studied well. I live close to Shindagha tunnel, and am expecting the traffic situation there to get even worse."

Sharaf Al Deen Sharaf, Vice-Chairman of the Sharaf Group, said the method of implementation of the Salik road toll system will not meet the need of motorists in Dubai, especially since it will be applied round the clock.

"This system should only be implemented during rush hours. Starting with a 24-hour road toll system will not help," said Sharaf, suggesting a test period of two months for the system.

"Alternative routes have been suggested but these routes are already packed during peak hours. There aren't enough alternative routes available," he said. The timing of Salik's introduction, he added, was not right.

Ali Al Kamali, the managing director of Datamatix, said that 'much more effort' was needed to make motorists aware of the system.

"Projects introduced previously without the right planning have not been effective. The advertisements and notices we've seen so far are not enough," he said.

Restaurant managers said that they were not sure how the toll system would affect them but one assured Gulf News that costs would not be passed on to the customer.

"It will not affect any of our prices and our policy of free home delivery will remain the same," said Emad Fahim, General Manager of Domino's Pizza.

- Additional inputs from Siham Al Najami and Mariam Al Serkal, Staff Reporters