Dubai: When the clock strikes 00:00:01 on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, the Al Safa Salik toll gate will start charging every passing vehicle.
At 6am, the toll gate on Maktoum Bridge will also kick in.
These mark the start of the Phase II of Dubai's Toll Gates System aimed at easing congestion in the emirate, said Salah Al Marzouqi, Director of RTA Intelligent Traffic Systems Department, adding that the Maktoum Bridge toll gate will be free of charge from 10pm to 6am when the Floating Bridge remains closed.
“When a vehicle passes under the Al Safa gate, the toll charge will be deducted once even if the vehicle passes under the Al Barsha gate (and vice versa) within a specific period of one hour.'' The Saliks are fitted with control systems to detect traffic bottlenecks triggered by accidents, he said.
“RTA has provided five alternative routes and a number of deluxe public buses. These include the 13-lane Business Bay Crossing and the Floating Bridge linking the terminal point of Al Ittihad Road near City Centre with Al Riyadh Road in Bur Dubai.
“The Emirates Road has also been widened from three to six lanes in each direction up to the Arabian Ranches Interchange.'' Motorists may further opt for the Dubai Bypass Road consisting of six lanes in each direction linking Dubai with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, he said.
“The RTA has also introduced state-of-the-art public buses alongside ‘Lift Me' - a public transport service meant initially for RTA employees. Moreover, the RTA has signed strategic agreements with eight companies in Dubai where the RTA Public Transport Agency (Mobility Management Programmes Section) will facilitate deployment of buses to ease transportation of employees to and from their work places,'' Al Marzouqi said.
The RTA has also launched ‘Share with Me' - a service that encourages shared transport among motorists working in neighbouring areas, he added.
Fast facts
Salik (Arabic for open or clear) was first introduced in July 2007 at Garhoud and Barsha
- The system deducts Dh4 from pre-paid toll accounts of subscribers by using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
- An IVR system allows subscribers to check account balances and details of toll gate crossings through SMS. Call 800-72545
- Subscribers may log on to www.salik.ae for topping up of Salik credits. They may use several payment options such as credit cards, e-dirham or direct debit from their bank accounts
- Subscribers may also use conventional ways of topping accounts by visiting petrol stations (Emarat, EPCO, ENOC and ADNOC) or Dubai Islamic Bank or the Emirates Bank
- For registering complaints on Salik log on to www.ecomplain.gov.ae
