Travails of travellers if a toll is introduced
In the news item “Toll system ‘will add to burden’” (Gulf News, December 19) Haytham Al Shami, a traffic analyst, states: “Such a toll system is adopted in London, Paris and many other European cities.”
It seems he has forgotten one vital fact: these cities have multiple, efficient public transport systems by way of rail, bus and ferry, interconnecting all by a good network.
One does not even need to own a car. What do we have here? Dubai Municipality bus service, which just serves the people in Dubai.
The only way to travel or get anywhere in the emirates is by car. So why penalise those who live in Sharjah because of high rents in Dubai?
From Ms U. Navalkar
Sharjah
I was disappointed to learn about the proposed road toll, as there is no efficient public transportation available between the emirates. The current bus service does not connect to all parts of Sharjah or all the main points in Dubai.
Public transportation is all about speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The authorities should provide some relief to commuters who cannot afford the high rents before a toll is introduced. I would happily keep my car at home during workdays if the public transportation was good.
From Mr S. Balasubramanyam
Dubai
If the amount spent on installing and operating tolls on Dubai highways was instead used for an inter-emirates rail network, it would be more beneficial to the UAE.
It would improve the transport structure, help tourism, lessen traffic congestion and improve trade among emirates.
I wonder who came up with the idea of a toll. Is it because other metros have it? Have the authorities done their homework? Have they researched how much it will affect businesses and tourism?
It seems they have completely forgotten about the "negative" side of it.
From Mr M. Mohad
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
The congested Dubai roads are an indication of Dubai's economic wellbeing, reflecting the contributions to the economy made by other emirates.
The proposed toll will burden these very inputs and create conditions conducive to the transfer of services to other emirates.
The Dubai Economic Department should look at the proposed road toll. Certainly, Dubai would not like to see the Dubai Shopping Festival and Global Village undersubscribed due to the toll.
From Mr A. D'Souza
Abu Dhabi
Increasing rents, water and electricity bills, children's education, other family expenses kept spinning around my head as I read about the proposed road toll.
With this tax, the long, pleasure drives from Sharjah to Dubai will take a back seat. Now, a visit to the Jumeirah beach and the malls will slowly fade from our daily entertainment routine. But what about our daily office routine?
We are helpless, and will have to undergo this gruelling change. The authorities should give a second thought on this issue.
From Mr D.V. Prakash
Dubai
A friend recently moved house from Dubai to Sharjah due to a rent increase of Dh5,000. Now, with the highway toll, which he and his two sons may have to pay at Dh3 daily, he will have to spend about Dh2,700 annually.
Can the difference of Dh2,300 compensate for the waste of time, energy and the trauma while shifting from Dubai to Sharjah?
The increase in the cost of living is extremely high against the increase in the salaries, if any. And then we read about the plight of labourers not getting their salaries on time or not being paid for months.
There should also be a strict law against employers who put a dent in the reputation of the country.
From Mr N. Sadhwani
Dubai
Dubai Municipality knows why people live in other emirates although they work in Dubai. It is because it is demolishing all the low-cost houses and making expensive apartments and buildings.
Directors cannot run a company alone. No city can be built with only rich people. It also requires other staff, from managers to office boys.
To accommodate these low-salaried people, the Municipality should make some low-cost housing at the outskirts of Dubai with all amenities prior to introducing road toll.
From Mr A.J. Rebello
Dubai
A road toll is not a solution but a burden on the people. The best solution is introducing an inter-emirates public transportation system. I wonder what prevents the authorities from implementing this.
One bus reduces 10 cars (or more). Simple equation. I hope the authorities take up this issue in a positive manner or else the collection of toll may spread to other emirates also.
From Mr R. Sirajuddin
Dubai
The authorities could increase the cost of vehicle registration by Dh50 instead of putting a road toll of Dh5 a day. Alternatively the authorities should compel employers to increase salaries of employees by 10 per cent every year.
From Mr M. Kumar
Dubai
Forcing people to pay the road toll to ease the traffic congestion is wrong. No matter what they do, people will continue to go to work every day.
Instead of opening Al Mamzar Road again or building an extra road, the authorities think of taxing the motorists. I thought their job was to make people's lives comfortable!
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
The proposed road toll, on the lines of major cities in the world, should come only when Dubai has provided public transport at par.
To reduce the traffic on Al Ittihad Road, Al Mulla and Al Qiadah underpasses should have concrete barriers. Five lanes should be provided for each direction and Al Mamzar Road should be opened up, too.
With the proposed road toll, business is bound to suffer in Dubai, with people coming out only in dire need. Dubai Shopping Festival will be the first indicator of the adverse impact of this tax.
From Mr S.M. Rizwan
Dubai
