Salik system is clear success, says official

Dubai: The road toll system on Shaikh Zayed Road has helped improve traffic flow and it has been widely appreciated by motorists, said a senior official.

"We are very proud to apply the toll system (Salik) successfully and those who have been betting that it will not work, have now agreed that Salik did make a difference," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

"Only a small group of people still oppose Salik but I must say that they do not understand traffic system," he told the press while responding to a question that Salik has created a traffic mess on alternative roads.

He said road toll is one traffic technique, which is being used internationally to ensure smooth traffic flow. "I don't understand why some people are still objecting to this whereas the results have shown that it has been extremely successful."

Counting the advantages of having Salik system, Al Tayer said it has provided easy movement to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars and civil defence vehicles.

"It has helped improve business on Shaikh Zayed Road and surrounding areas as people, especially businessmen, can move fast while the hotels can now transfer their guests to and from the airport without wasting time in traffic jams," he noted.

Al Tayer pointed out that traffic congestion on alternate routes is due to 'bad driving behaviour', which is the leading cause of traffic jams in the city. "Also, there are some people who take pleasure in violating traffic rules." He said that RTA has already launched awareness campaign to educate people on these issues.

Reaction: 'Don't sit on the laurels of just one road'

While the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority chief says that the Salik system has worked well, many motorists feel it has added to traffic congestion on roads. Motorists said that although traffic has reduced on the tolled Shaikh Zayed Road between Al Garhoud Bridge and the Mall of Emirates, they have been facing acute traffic jams on alternative routes. Some motorists felt that the road diversions are meant to force people to use Salik.

"I live on Al Maktoum Street in Deira and my travel time has increased from 20 minutes to at least 60 minutes from Bur Dubai to Deira because the traffic flow has increased on Al Maktoum bridge since the introduction of Salik," said Mujibur Rehman, a Pakistani businessman.

However, a manager at a five start hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road, said that Salik has been a great relief for their guests.

Obaid Mohammad, a UAE national, said the traffic was much better without Salik. "Instead of being happy over success of Salik on just one road, the RTA should also think about solutions for people suffering on other roads," he added.

Of course Salik has really made a lot of difference, especially after those dividers were installed after Garhoud bridge. Thank you RTA for that, it is wonderful. But Sharjah has to do something as well with regards to the traffic. We reach Sharjah from Shaikh Zayed Road so quickly and get stuck in Sharjah, which spoils all the mood. Viva Salik.
Mansoor
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 08:12

Do the people at the RTA actually use the roads in Dubai? It is clear to see that Salik has made traffic congestion worse - why direct traffic onto smaller roads not designed for the huge volume in order to make one (much larger) road slightly better?I have not yet met one person who believes that Salik is a good idea, or has made anything better.Try again RTA.
Keith
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 08:09

I believe most of the people who appreciate salik are those who are getting the salik card for free from their company. But people who are paying it from their own pocket will definitely find it another burden on their daily expenses, considering the salary and the prices of daily commodities. As they said if you want to get it free you have to take the alternative route which gets congested most of the time.
Jheng
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 08:07

Well, when you count the figures it does look a success in terms of revenue. As per my opinion the toll system is completely faulty. If the toll needs to be there it should be imposed on the whole of the SZR and not on one section of the road. Currently there is toll only at 2 points and rests of these roads are still congested. Look at Singapore, where whole roads are tolled. If you want to travel by SZR, the whole SZR is to be tolled.
Deepak
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 08:04

Those people, who claim that Salik is a clear success, obviously don't live in Dubai. The traffic gets worse everyday - the Sheikh Zayed Road might be clear, but the other roads are just gridlocked. How is Salik successful in that context? People are spending more time in their cars, using more fuel, emitting more pollution? Salik is not a success!
Anthony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:53

What else we expect from RTA? They surely can't say Salik is a failure (and it is ? 100 per cent), can they?
Sam
Ajman,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:47

It used to take me more than six hours to reach my home in Dubai from Abu Dhabi (while it should only take three hours), but with Salik in place, I arrive home on time.
Mahmoud
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:47

Salik is useful for people in places like Bur Dubai, Karama and Satwa as they get to use the toll area free.
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:46

I have arrived at work late for the past three days due to daily road diversions. Even Salik can't help. I leave home at 6:30am. Traffic used to be smooth at this time. Should we leave home at 5am now?
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:45

No doubt about Salik being a success. Before sSlik it used to take me two hours to reach Sharjah from Palm Jumeirah. Now I breeze off under 45 minutes. It is worth paying the toll and be with family early without any stress.
Rajkumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:44

Salik has done nothing to improve the traffic. All it has done is reduce traffic on that small stretch along Garhoud. As soon as you cross that stretch you are stuck in a jam. Areas which were traffic free before are now jam-packed due to Salik, including intersections at residential areas such as Barsha.
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:41

I think that Salik has reduced traffic on Garhoud bridge and at the 4th interchange but increased it everywhere else. I usually take the Business Bay Crossing to college. It used to take me 15 minutes to reach there and now it takes me at least 25 minutes due to drivers avoiding Salik.
Faris
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 11, 2007, 07:38