Changed your mind about Salik?

Each week Arabian Business invites you to have your say on popular issue. This week: Changed your mind about Salik?
Yes | No

Rajesh Amir Kahn, Dubai, UAE: YES

Well, you can't argue with a free road - which is what Al Garhoud bridge is now. I appreciate the fact that the traffic has gone elsewhere, and it is now summer, but the glass is only half full, appreciate things for what they are, now. Fast and congestion free. Then again the RTA is not off the hook yet. Let's see what happens after the summer. We have to assume that by then, roadworks elsewhere will have been cleared, and alternative routes across the creek put in place. At the moment the authorities have earned my trust and respect for being brave and forging ahead. Because of that I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. Go RTA - you can do it.

Dave Rollo, Dubai: YES

The road toll has been a great idea and helped reduce traffic congestion in the city. The problem with the new Salik setup is that it hasn't reduced traffic but just moved it to other areas. I think that the root of the problem is the amount of traffic coming from Sharjah each day. You look at the cars, and mostly there is just one person in each car. I think the toll should be first put on all the roads in and out of Sharjah, and only be active during the busy periods. That said it's much better now than before.

Vince, Kuwait: YES

Salik has made Dubai a smaller place to be. It is a lot easier to travel nowadays, not just because of the toll system but because most schools are closed for the summer and a significant amount of residents are out for a break. Dubai's experience perhaps we should also consider introducing it in order to free up the congested freeways in Kuwait during peak hours. It has been a resounding success in Dubai and I can see it spreading further across the city. It has definitely changed my mind. Coming home from work across Garhoud bridge is no longer a chore, the incessant beep of car horns blaring in my head has disappeared and there is no longer any need to scramble for a spot in the best lane to avoid trucks, lorries and large and slower vehicles. I don't mind paying a little extra if it means me getting home to my family much sooner, and I now have time to exercise, cook and enjoy a relaxing evening in front of a movie with my kids.

Harry, London, UK: NO

The introduction of Salik has reduced traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road but led to some overcrowding on other roads. This is similar to the London congestion charge that led to the reduction in traffic in the centre of the city. However, there is one big difference. In London, the motorist pays from 7am to 6.30pm, and only once a day. In the case of Salik the motorist has to pay all the time going into the controlled zone and out of it. This seems unfair (despite the maximum US$6.50 limit). Perhaps the authorities concerned need to look at this apparently unnecessary burden on the motorist.

Rajshree Misra, Dubai: NO

The RTA should have studied carefully the implementation of the road toll system. The timing of the roll out of the road toll system, coincided perfectly with the summer vacations of most schools. Since the traffic eases out during the summer months, it has given the ‘illusionary' idea to the public that Salik is working for most people. The benefits of the road toll system, however, are no more real than a mirage in the desert. The thing is you can't judge the success or failure of Salik because all expats and nationals are on their vacations. Schools are also still closed. You will certainly need to wait until September to make an objective assessment.

Ahmed Mohammed Almarri, Dubai: NO

This place is not as bad as some might think. That said, being an individual who understands where people are coming from, feedback is always more than welcome. We all know prices have increased, Salik is burning a hole in our wallets, and we might soon be singing ‘Maktoum bridge is falling down' due to the number of cars on the bridge during peak hours, there is nothing new about that. However, in most cases, what is being said is not often meant to be constructive feedback, it actually is very much the only contributor to that smell of negativity in the air. This place is not as bad as you might think it is. Surely some of the reasons why you came to this country have disappeared or are starting to, but look around you, there's still a lot of good things about the place. And Salik is definitely one of them.

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