Salik - your comments

The controversial Salik road toll scheme has met with mixed reaction from Dubai's commuters since its introduction by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the beginning of July.

Motorists now have to pay AED4 every time they pass under the toll gates located on Garhoud Bridge and on Sheikh Zayed Road next to Mall of the Emirates.

Some have slammed the scheme for increasing traffic over the city's other bridges and on roads such as Al Wasl as motorists try to avoid the toll, while others boast of clear roads on their way to and from work.

Salik has also split the opinions of ArabianBusiness.com's readers. Some complain that "communication around this whole Salik deal has just been ridiculous," while other readers say "road pricing is a wonderful congestion easing scheme!"

Here are your comments for and against Salik:


FOR:

"I love the new toll road. I get home or to the office in no time at all - at any time of day. I can't help thinking however that the reason for this is that I am one of the people who can afford to pay 24 dirhams a day."


"The toll has reduced traffic on the Garhoud Bridge and SZR and I for one appreciate the fact that I can now get home to my kids in 20 minutes instead of an hour and a half after work like it used to before the toll was imposed. As for off peak hours - even at 12 pm at night Garhoud bridge used to be clogged with Sharjah traffic on the weekend."


"Road pricing is a wonderful congestion easing scheme. The key to remember when adopting such measures is that alternatives to driving must be in place for them to function properly."


"Apart from the discount of 80% for residents within the controlled area (I think 50% would be more appropriate, given that they too contribute to the congestion), I agree wholeheartedly that Dubai needs more road tolls.  I would also like to see motorcycles and taxis exempt from the tolls."
 

"The RTA will implement the highest standards with a price that everyone utilising it will pay. Now if anyone who finds these solutions too expensive for them, they can use alternative roads."


AGAINST:

"It has been a nightmare for the residents staying around the toll gates. It has become impossible to reach home on time. It would be an excellent idea if the government reconsidered the toll fee to one dirham instead of four dirhams and then maybe everyone would welcome and appreciate the Salik."


"I live in Rashidiya and I used to take the back route to get home to my family more quickly. Now thanks to the Salik I don't get to spend time with my family as I'm stuck in traffic for two hours each way. And we cannot afford another expense on top of all other bills. If the bills just keep piling up where is the family life for expatriates? What will they spend and what will they save to secure a better future for their children?"


"I don't know how the RTA has come up with such a solution. Introducing a toll toad after the start of the metro would be understandable but now there's more traffic and pressure than a solution. I used to get to work in 15 minutes but now it takes 50 minutes. Is this the idea of reducing traffic?"


"The communication around this whole Salik deal has just been ridiculous.  I bought the tag well in advance and to date have not received the promised registration SMS.  Even worse is that the different government departments don't seem to be communicating very well with each other."

 
"Build a proper alternative infrastructure and then tax us!"


"What's the hurry in launching the toll system? Can the government not wait until the alternative routes i.e. metro and new roads are constructed? I live at the border of Sharjah and Ajman and study at AUD. My driver will have to pass by the toll system at least 4 times a day. The government should reconsider this system."

 
"As a former policeman I can see that this is just an attempt to gain more revenue, as it will force all the traffic onto other roads that are ill equipped to handle it.  There are no bus lanes or car pool lanes in Dubai, the metro is not finished and you have a police force that is reactive rather than proactive most of the time."


"As Dubai seems to be following other major cities with the new toll, it is not following their steps in providing better infrastructure, alternate arrangements and increased pay scales in step with the inflation in expenses.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM