Scarce Salik tags leave drivers bitter

Dubai: Motorists, especially those coming to Dubai from other emirates and neighbouring countries, are finding it difficult to get the Salik tags needed to pass through toll gates on Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Garhoud Bridge.

Many motorists complained that they had to pass through the Salik toll gates on their way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai because the petrol stations along the way did not have the Salik tags.

“We don't sell Salik tags,'' said a salesman at the first petrol station upon entering Dubai from Abu Dhabi.

John Sweeney, a British resident of Abu Dhabi, said that it was a frustrating trip for him because he could not find Salik cards at any of the petrol stations along the way.

“I also tried to get off Shaikh Zayed Road while approaching the Salik gate near Mall of the Emirates but could not do so because of construction and a lack of information signs for alternative routes,'' he said.

Sweeney said that he tried at least two petrol stations to buy a Salik tag but could not get one.

He was left with no option but to pass through the Salik gate and get fined.

“I think the Roads and Transport Authority should remove the sign at the entrance to Dubai which reads ‘Salik tags available at all petrol stations','' he said.

Complaint

Sweeney called up the customer service to complain about the situation. “I was told to come back to Dubai from Abu Dhabi to complain at the traffic department about the Salik fine,'' he said.

He did not want to come back again because he did not want to pass through Salik gates again to get another fine.

“Then I was told that the Salik tags are also available at petrol stations in Abu Dhabi and I will not be fined if I get my car registered with Salik within 48 hours of getting fine,'' he said.

Sweeney went to at least three petrol stations in Abu Dhabi to purchase Salik tags but was told that they did not sell them. “I don't know what to do and where to go. But I don't want to pay a fine because it was not my fault,'' he said.

A number of motorists from Oman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah also contacted Gulf News to complain about the lack of Salik tags at some petrol stations.

Gulf News also tried to get Salik tags from the same petrol stations but could not.

“We can top up your balance if you already have a Salik tag, but we do not have new ones,'' said a salesman. Many of the petrol stations in Sharjah, Ajman and other emirates also do not sell Salik tags contrary to the RTA's claim that all petrol stations sell them.

An official at the RTA, however, denied there was a shortage of tags, saying that they have not received any complaints.

New bridge: Gates to be moved

Salik toll gates installed near Al Garhoud Bridge will be moved to the new bridge, said an official.

"The toll gates will be installed on the new Al Garhoud Bridge within a couple of days," said Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). She said that the bridge would be fully operational in March.

An RTA official said that motorists who do not have Salik tag can also call the call centre on 8009090 for information about alternate routes.

Have your say
Do you have Salik? Where do you usually get your Salik tags from? How much have you spent so far? Tell us at
letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the comments form below.

This is the second time icome from Oman I can not buy salik card in your Petrol stations what is going on?
Ismail
Muscat,Oman
Posted: January 21, 2008, 11:45

I had a similar experience trying to get a Salik Tag as Mr. Sweeney except I tried nine petrol stations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi before I got one. The Salik "Helpline" was entirely unhelpful, all they did was repeat that tags were available in every fuel stop, which they quite clearly were not. I complained verbally and in writing. Five months later have yet to receive a response.
Alan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 10:17

Salik is taking far more time than expected to get itself stabilise. I come to Dubai once in every two weeks. Buying Salik for the first time was the same experience as most of the other people and was forced to cross the first gate without it. Now I get weird messages on my mobile showing decreased amount on my salik account although i'm not in Dubai and my car is always very much with me.
Irfan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 09:56

Last weekend I want to recharge my salik tag. but their online service is not working. So I think that i'll charge from the petrol station.but when I stop on to petrol station on the way in Dubai area they told me we don't have service. So I passed without that, if RTA don't have facility why they are putting fines. First try to improve your service then start fines.
Shazad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 09:49

These are mere excuses for not buying salik cards or avoiding fines. RTA has clear instructions all along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway on how far the salik gate is and which is the last exit. I think everyone who has a car should buy a salk card as you don't know when you would be requiring to use it. May be this is a lesson for those who do not have a salik and should register ASAP.
Faiz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 09:31

The same thing exactly happened to me last time I went to Dubai two months ago. I was very frustrated since I didn't even know how to complain about it. If officials from RTA denied the fact then let them publish on GN a list of petrol stations still selling Salik.
Deruy
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 08:27

I am also a resident of Abu Dhabi and I face another kind of problem every time i want to come down to Dubai: Petrol Stations in Abu Dhabi do not re-charge Salik and direct inquiring customers to banks to do so. Those banks in return, tell those customers that they have to open accounts to use the service. To add insult to injury, the re-charge service online does not work, not to mention that it kills the PC and the Internet connection due to its poor design.
Wissam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 21, 2008, 07:32