Millions hit in wallet as Salik expanded

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ROAD TOLL: The RTA said it is expanding its Salik road toll scheme, adding an additional two gates. (Getty Images)

Millions of motorists will have to fork out more money to drive in Dubai after the transport authority announced an expansion to the unpopular Salik road toll scheme.

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said on Tuesday it was adding an extra two toll gates - one on Sheikh Zayed Road at the Al Safa Park Bridge and the other on Al Maktoum Bridge - bringing the total number of toll gates to four.

Currently there are toll gates on Al Garhoud Bridge and on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Mall of the Emirates.

The new gates will go live from September 9, the RTA said.

The RTA has been dogged by talk of a massive expansion to Salik ever since the scheme was launched in July last year.

Media reports have claimed there are plans to introduction additional toll gates on Emirates Road, Al Khail Road, Al Ittihad Road, Shindagha Tunnel, Business Bay Crossing and Maktoum Bridge by 2009, and on the yet-to-be-built Shindagha Bridge and a fifth bridge spanning Dubai Creek by 2010.

Motorists are charged 4 dirhams ($1.1) each time they pass through the toll gates, paying a maximum of 24 dirhams in any one day.

The RTA said motorists passing through Al Safa and the gate opposite Mall of the Emirates would be charged a toll fee of 4 dirhams once if they pass the two gates in the same journey.

The authority said the gates were being installed to reduce congestion caused by motorists trying to avoid the toll gates opposite Mall of the Emirates and on Al Garhoud Bridge.

The RTA said the first phase of Salik had reduced traffic at toll areas by 25%, and lowered journey times on Sheikh Zayed Road by 50% and increased average speeds from 40 to 80 km/h.

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READERS' COMMENTS

New Salik Toll Gates
Posted by Rochard Kamel on Thursday 26 June 2008 at 15:45 UAE time


What if someone passes through the Al Barsha, Al Safa and Garhoud crossing, will the fee still be four dirhams

Would Cycles be exempt or heavily charged?
Posted by kaptain, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 31 May 2008 at 12:37 UAE time


Cycles are the response. People should abandon cars for once and have fresh air on cycles. No matter how long the distances but once one hits the road on twos; it would be a habit.

But spending a whopping AED 24 is nowhere near logical on every trip. That could be put to some good use.

If pedaling hurts; get a mechanic to fit some motor to it. Or better to use the scootie thing.

Comments from RTA
Posted by allan, Dubai, UAE on Friday 30 May 2008 at 09:44 UAE time

Mr. ArabianBusiness Editor,
Since comments and reactions by readers in this webpage are not read by RTA (i dont think they will bother either), can you liase the concerns of the road users to them?

Editors reply I am sure the RTA will be monitoring the public reaction to their latest announcement.


Regards

Salik
Posted by Wayne, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 29 May 2008 at 12:30 UAE time


To my knowledge Salik is in place to encourage people to use puplic transport and leave their cars at home to relieve congestion on the main arteries.
My question is this. Is a taxi a form of public transport?
If yes then why the additional AED 4.00 on the meter when hitting the toll gates?
Surely, Dubai taxies, as a branch of the RTA should be exempt from the toll?
Just a thought...

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