'Salik should be reconsidered'

Dubai: Why should we pay the road toll fee when we will get stuck in traffic anyway? This was the refrain of a cross section of residents who said plans for Salik should be reconsidered.

Salik, the road toll system which will be implemented on July 1, drew wide scepticism and concern.

The system to be introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will charge Dh4 each time a driver uses Al Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road.

Many motorists agreed that the toll system will not be helpful and will only aggravate the existing problems.

Specific budget

Abdul Aziz Hassan Ahmad, a 34-year-old Emirati government employee, said he does not think that Salik will solve the growing traffic problems, but having wider roads will.

"Salik might ease traffic on the stretch it is installed on, but what about the road after the toll gate? Why would I pay when I will get stuck in traffic after I pass the toll gate?" he said.

Ahmad insisted that "Salik will not be useful for motorists, but rather exhausting for them."

Moneer Al Rahma, an Emirati government employee, said the timing of the toll gate is not right.

"I think the RTA should at least delay the project for one or two years when other projects such as the metro and other alternative routes become operational," he said.

Al Rahma said now he will have to allocate a specific budget to use roads. Ahmad Al Rayes, a 24-year-old Libyan business consultant shared the same opinion and said the public transport system should be completely settled.

The Salik toll system will only bring more traffic and sadly it will add to the costs of living, said Mona Mezel. The 20-year-old Palestinian student said it is a good system but it is not being implemented correctly.

"The common person who takes the tolled routes to go to work, pick his kids, or go to college will have to pay around Dh60 a day, this is wrong," she said.

Her colleague Mohammad Shoaib, 22, said: "We are all against the toll system and once it is applied the authorities will realise it will not solve the traffic problem. It will only become worse."

Mariam Abu Na'mah, a 23-year-old American Public Relations Account Executive, thinks the fee is high.

"It is expensive and I think that it will worsen the traffic situation because now everyone will try to take a different route to avoid paying the toll. It will push the traffic in another direction. The traffic congestion on Al Maktoum Bridge could get a lot worse."

RTA 'approved project after studies'

Salah Bu Farousha, Traffic Public Prosecutor, said he supports Salik, but has reservations.

"It is a trial and we should not make premature conclusions. If people do not cooperate, it will be a problem. I am sure RTA has approved this project after thorough studies. Recently traffic police were asked if they are ready in case of traffic congestions and they said yes they are ready," he said.