Motorist charged toll without using gate

Dubai: Motorist Benedict D'Almeida was shocked when he received an SMS telling him he hardly had any credit left on his Salik tag - because he claims he has never passed through a toll gate.

The 40-year-old Indian, who works for a catering company, bought his Salik tag at the end of June, a few days before the hi-tech system went live on July 1.

Since that date, D'Almeida insists he has never passed through the toll gates near Mall of the Emirates or Al Garhoud Bridge.

As a result, he should still have Dh50 credit left on his tag, but instead he received a text message telling him there was just Dh2 credit remaining. The message continued: "Please add funds to your account immediately to avoid violation fines."

D'Almeida said he was "very surprised" to receive the SMS from Salik, adding that it caused him "utter frustration".

"I am sure there must be some mistake in the system since I have never passed through the toll gate," he said. When he called the Salik helpline, D'Almeida said he was told to visit the Salik offices in Rashidiya in order to solve the problem.

However, as the office's opening hours coincide with his working hours, he said he is unable to go there to sort out the problem.

"Before I explained things to the customer service representative, he asked: "Have you received an SMS?" This means they must have received similar complaints about SMSs," he added.

Other residents have made similar complaints to D'Almeida, among them Toni, who received an SMS saying she had just Dh2 credit left, despite having used Salik only four times. She said she tried calling the hotline, but it was always busy and she could not get through.

"Why should we get messages from the RTA if there is anything wrong with their system?" she asked. Toni also complained that her husband had not yet received a confirmation SMS although he bought the tag on June 20.

One motorist said when he called the RTA helpline after receiving a Dh2 reminder, the response of the operator seemed to suggest that there had been many similar complaints.

"I called the hotline, and one person who answered asked me if I have received the message before even I told him my problem," he claimed.

Other Salik users have said they have received accurate reminders when their balance dropped to Dh10.

An RTA spokeswoman said the organisation had received other complaints about Salik.

"We are trying our best to fix the system for all the customers. It is a new system and maybe there are some people who have received wrong SMSs for the credit they have," she said.

"We are trying to update the system and to make the improvements," she added.

Helpline: 800-72545

I had the same problem. I was told to add Dh40 to my account to avoid violation fines.
Fatma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:38

Third class RTA, third class Salik. Both are a headache to the expatriate as well as nationals.
Adil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:25

II am working in a construction company as an administrator. I bought 8 salik tags from an Emarat petrol station on 20 June 07. But still I am waiting for the salik account number from RTA. I have tried several times to contact the concerned person over phone, but their lines are always engaged. Then I visited RTA Head Office on 10 June 07 to know about the salik account number, the concerned person informed me that you have to wait until the message from RTA for the salik account number. When I was in RTA, I could see many people there to know their account numbers, which they still have not received.
Prasad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:20

That's it! I am not buying this tag!!
Wissam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:14

This happened to my friend also. He passed the toll gate only once. He got a message saying that Dh12 has been deducted from his account.
Rajesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:10

I have 2 vehicles on my Salik account. I also received sms saying that I am below the allowable limit. When trying to enter the website to look what amount is left on what vehicle it is not possible. I recharged my account with Dhs.400, but is not showing on my account. I did not receive any sms after recharge of my account and still don't know for which vehicle the recharge was done.
William
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:08

Salik online services are unavailable. Their customer service helpline is extremely busy. When they are not ready to cope, why did they start??
Abdul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:08

In a hurry to launch the Salik, RTA failed to properly test the system and resolve all bugs. This is what is done with any automated system, but unfortunately not with RTA. And the sad issue is that there isn't any way to fight all such behaviours of RTA. Where to go? Luckily, Gulf News has been the voice for the people.
Karkain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 08:04

Due to all of the growing problems with Salik, the first month should be under grace and not greed.
Drew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 07:54

I have used my Dh50 on my salik tag and till now I never even got a message for the same. I don't know what the RTA is doing!
Elie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 07:28

RTA should have tested prior to Salik going live. Any project needs to undergo pre-commissioning test prior to its implementation. Had the RTA done their homework this wouldn't be a problem now.
Ebrahim
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 07:03

I've got the activation SMS yesterday and also a message which says, my account balance is Dh28. But when I login to the Salik website, it shows I've got just Dh18. I wonder when they will clear all the bugs in their systems first.
Shon
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 11, 2007, 06:03