Dubai: Two more Salik toll gates will be installed in Dubai - one each on Al Maktoum Bridge and between the First and the Second Interchanges on Shaikh Zayed Road, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said on Tuesday.
"The installation of the new toll gates comes as part of the second phase of the Salik system to regulate traffic on Dubai Roads," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA. The new toll gates will start working from September 9.
An RTA source told Gulf News that more Salik gates will be installed on Dubai's roads in future but he did not specify the locations.
Residents said the new toll gates would not ease traffic congestion but simply add to their cost of living.
"This will definitely be a big dent on our budget and add to the cost of living at a time when residents are already facing problems like price hike in food items and ever increasing house rents," said Mohammad Faisal, a motorist.
"The idea of controlling traffic congestion by introducing Salik is a little too early especially in the absence of a Metro and lack of public transport buses and taxis," said Abdullah Abdul Rahim, an Emirati.
The RTA installed Salik gates on Al Garhoud Bridge and near the Al Barsha interchange on Shaikh Zayed Road in July 2007 to ease traffic congestion. A motorist has to pay Dh4 for passing through the toll gate every time.
However, motorists will be charged once if they pass through two successive Salik gates including the new one near the Second Interchange (Safa Park interchange) and the existing one at Barsha on Shaikh Zayed Road, in one journey. The maximum charge for using Salik is Dh24 for a motorist a day.
"Salik is a part of integrated solutions that aim to reduce traffic. These solutions comprise road projects and infrastructure; metro systems; public transport and marine transport apart from several traffic policies that encourage the use of public transport to reduce traffic jams in Dubai. Salik is an effective tool to reduce the usage of private cars," Al Tayer said.
He said the new phase of Salik project comes after a comprehensive study of the first phase and especially after the opening of the new Al Garhoud Bridge.
The study focused on the traffic jams on some major roads in Dubai and the alternative routes that can resolve the issue.
The study also highlighted the success of the first phase in reducing traffic at toll areas by 25 per cent and lowered the duration of the journey on Shaikh Zayed Road by 50 per cent, while increasing the average speed from 40kmph to 80kmph.
Fast track: Dedicated bus lanes
With the introduction of new Salik toll gates, dedicated bus lanes will be introduced on Al Ittihad Road, Emirates Road and Shaikh Zayed Road to provide fast track routes for passengers travelling between Sharjah and Dubai and also to Jebel Ali, Media City and Tecom areas.
"A comprehensive public transport system will be another option in addition to the alternative roads to avoid the Salik toll system and to encourage people to use public transport," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Dedicated bus lanes will also be introduced on several roads in Bur Dubai.
Have your say
Do you think more toll gates will help ease congestion? Why? How will this affect your budget and daily commute?
Your comments
Why are they doing this to us? It's obvious that this isn't because of traffic congestion, but about getting more money! The UAE isn't a tax free country anymore, as we've to pay hidden charges, which aren't added on top of our salary. Everything will go up again!
Andrea
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:43
The RTA has broken its promise of not installing any more Salik gates until the Metro is launched. This proves we cannot trust the RTA at all now. It's really disappointing!
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:25
I think this is great, I am sick and tired of people who don't want to pay Dh4 for Salik and instead they clog up the side roads around Al Barsha and other areas, only to find them back on Shaikh Zayed after Mall of the Emirates. And for all you people complaining, read the article! If you pass through two gates in a row you only pay Dh4, AND you can't be charged more than Dh24 a day, no matter how many times you pass through. Good job RTA!
Jalal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:18
It is more cost effective to live in Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah and even hire a driver to get to work in Dubai than pay the high rents in Dubai and pay the tolls too.
Kavitha
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:44
Introducing Salik is probably a good idea to ease traffic congestion, but how can we use public transport when it is so unreliable? Coming to our office in Dubai Investment Park area, the public bus comes every two-and-a-half hours. Can they not think about other alternatives?
Jerry
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:05
Good job RTA, this will hopefully take most of the bad drivers off the roads and into the public transport system, and with more toll gates implemented on a lot more roads our roads will be safer to drive on, and lets face it, the Salik is not as costly as toll gates in most parts of the world. If you cannot afford it, use public transport!
Anna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:00
If the objective is to ease traffic, then Salik should be activated only during the peak hours of the weekdays. Weekends and holidays should be Salik free.
Gestalt
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:35
If the maximum charge per day is Dh24, then how do taxis still charge passengers every time they pass through a toll gate? Surely a taxi would clock up his Dh24 within the first few hours of the day, yet they still charge well into the evening.
Karl
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:26
I think there is no point in providing an area for comments. If the comments are not considered valid by the authorities and are not taken into consideration, what is the point in posting it?
Anu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:19
'Salik is a part of integrated solutions that aim to reduce traffic.' What part of Salik is integrated exactly,there is NO viable alternative to get people off the roads just yet, the metro and tram systems are not ready and all salik is doing is creating dangerous bottlenecks of traffic elsewhere...how can that possibly be seen as safe or an integrated approach.This is money making project by the RTA,if the metro was up and running already they could justify it but it isnt.With this, comes the rising food prices,rent,petrol and VAT coming next year I wouldnt be surprised if people decide to move on to somewhere cheaper and better organized.
Jane
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 03:08
Just more profit for RTA.By the way any body reconized that the traffic has been decreased on the roads which already have salik!!!
NM
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 02:40
Hope RTA in the near future will not issue a decree to install a Salik toll gate at my villa door or my parking lot !
osti
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 02:27
There are two issues with Salik:
1. It has been introduced without any viable public transportation alternative (such as the metro.)
2. It has choked up the alternative routes. For example, the roads in Barsha are clogged because of Salik avoiders.It sometimes takes up to 45 minutes,to get from the Springs to Sheikh Zayed Road because of the heavy traffic in and around the Greens.
Therefore,one can conclude that the sole accomplishment of Salik has been to raise revenue.The traffic problems have only gotten worse.
Askari
Dubai,U.A.E.
Posted: May 28, 2008, 02:26
This was intended to be a congestion relief measure. Now it is patently clear that this is nothing but a senseless revenue accretion tactic that makes a mockery of common sense, and adds another burden on the working public
C. Sabapathy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 02:02
Ok the idea of Salik is to decrease the traffic on congested roads by forcing people to divert to less traffic roads. So when Salik phase 1 was first installed, people did divert to less congested roads. But those roads ended up more congested than Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR), therefore, people decided to revert back to SZR and pay to reach their targets faster. Result: SZR is still congested with Salik presence. Therefore, RTA/Salik failed to solve the problem. Lesson Learned: RTA should rather work on designing wide and proper road systems before forcing people to divert to incapable alternative roads.
Alaa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 01:14
I don?t think any of the decision makers are really bothered of what we write here or what the genuine concern is. With or without Salik it still takes almost the same amount of time for me to get to work or get back home after work. Anyone who says they reach much faster surely is not being honest. Best solution is to live near your work place but sadly I don't think I or majority of the people in this country can do so.
Rony
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 00:29
DUBAI is a tax free city. how many of us will agree to this. WE dont pay tax but only we are charged for using roads and other facilities
kailash
dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 00:29
I cant say anything cz RTA will not listen to us, they will do what they want. It's of no use to cry or complain.
Anu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 00:28
RTA is not reducing congestion, but is making matters worse, now, the Shindage Tunnel and other toll free bridges will be occupied. If at all the RTA wanted to reduce the number of cars in Dubai, they should take steps like reducing number of cars on a family, to at least 2 cars. since this will stop traffic problems and parking problems. Why did not the RTA at least ask for an open Public Poll before taking such an act.
Ashwin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 00:25
UAE never imposed any open taxes upon people, specially expatriates.so SALIK is the start of those taxes, now it is no more tax free zone. Eventually it is going to be a burden for the middle class and they have to leave for another Better Country where they can get good social and health security in return of those taxes paid to the government.
Gul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 00:25
Don?t know where Dubai will take is it a constructive measure or a destructive measure --unable to realise?? Hope for best
Abedi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:58
According to me toll gate charge should be taken once in 24 hour. Instead of every moment. It is very expensive for all and it effects to increase the price of each and every field.
Thanks
sunil
dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:54
The whole concept of Salik is predominantly to make money. Salik would not have been active on Fridays and Public Holidays, moreover after the peak hours, such as after 9pm.
The whole idea of controlling Traffic congestion by introducing Salik is not justified by the RTA. This will only increase more traffic in the city.
When the metro is not set up, you do not get taxi?s when you need one desperately, the public transport buses resemble a mini train on the streets, this is not acceptable!
Maroof
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:49
All it can say its not right .. what about the low income people. A lot of us indians and others have come to dubai for a better life...but its just getting harder.
rohan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:45
Can't believe that SALIK has done anything other than increase the funds of the RTA. I see queues of traffic going into Dubai from MOE to trade center every night of the week. It's amazing what some will do to avoid paying 4 dhs. Maybe the new gates will help but I think it more likely that the people of Umm Sequiem and Safa will suffer in the same way as those living in Barsha. Furthermore isn't it obvious that the traffic problems around Garhoud have been solved by the opening of the new bridge and not just Salik?
dozza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:44
Bad news for the motorists of UAE especially Dubai
Ronnie
Dubai,Philippines
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:44
My interpretation: Once all phases of Salik are complete road users will be paying a lot of money to use the same routes with same amount of traffic - since there will be no escape.
Nitin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:40
Where did the 25% less traffic go to? Sufouh Road and through Barsha of course. Diverting traffic from a high capacity road onto congested roads does not make Salik a success. Salik should be removed until the Metro is running and there is an alternative to Sheik Zayed Road.
Stuart
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:38
This is unacceptable. Why should they put more tolls? Why should I pay 32 aed to go to work everyday? This is gonna cause more problems and solve any.The only beneficiary is RTA.
Maz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:27
The claims that Salik has reduced traffic is not true as it has created more congestions on alternate roads. Now installing Salik on Al Maktoum bridge may reduce the traffic there but Floating Bridge and Shindaga Tunnel will get choked.
RTA should have improved the public transport to discourage people from using vehicles and then introduced these kind of tolls.
Biju
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:21
Congestion, install toll gates. Issue Resolved!
Traffic Jam, install toll gate. Issue Resolved.
Oh I sneezed, install toll gate. Issue Resolved.
Please, all the above mentioned areas were recommended by RTA as toll free routes.
Muhammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:15
I think this is not fair for the public, RTA is just making the people to pay for crossing roads, now within a year two more toll gates are being introduced, who knows one day it will be on all roads just increasing the cost of living in UAE. Traffic is a big issue but i dont think that these toll gates are the only solutions.
Mohammed
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:08
It is very funny, that RTA installed toll gate of Garhoud bridge, which resulted in excess traffic on Maktoum, now they will install new gate on Maktoum to reduce the pressure, which will ultimately transfer to some other route, it seems that we are stuck in vicious circle created by RTA.
Kamal
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:01
Installing another gate is not the answer. Think as if it's a river. You're clogging up paths but the pressure is building up else where. You have to look at ways to reduce traffic and educate people to use public transport instead.
Mohamed
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:57
If Salik's objective is to reduce traffic congestion, why charge toll on public holidays and at night.
Reveal the hidden objective?
DSA
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:51
Enough now. I am soon going to pack my bags and leave this country where people are looted officially. Its better that I return home and pay taxes there which is just one fourth than the rents I pay here. Additional toll will just increase the inflation as transporters will increase rates.
Mustafa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:51
It is so absurd, salik on Al maktoum too. we living in Bur Dubai, working in Deira, need to pay toll though paying high rent and living in Dubai. They should put salik in Al mulla area to control the Sharjah traffic not to enter Dubai city instead of burdening the Dubai residents on top of high rents.
Biji
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:32
New Salik Gates, yeah, more profits for RTA. More traffic on roads. What an idea.
Mazhar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:24
This is very unconvincing indeed ,
it will cost you 8 aed to just to enter in Bur Dubai, do they expect people to own swimming cars or what?
Adeel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:18
