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Discuss this article (32 Comments)Salik expansion brings Dubai to halt
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Tuesday, 09 September 2008
zoomTRAFFIC NIGHTMARE: The expansion of Salik has increased congestion on alternative routes around Dubai. (Getty Images)
Much of Dubai’s road network ground to a halt on Tuesday morning as commuters attempting to avoid the two new Salik toll gates clogged up alternative routes.
The expansion of Dubai’s unpopular road toll system came into affect on Tuesday with additional gates on Al Maktoum Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road next to Al Safa joining the two gates already in operation.
Radio stations were inundated with calls throughout the morning of nightmare traffic on and around routes including Al Wasl Road, Floating Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.
Related: 70% don't want Salik to be expanded
Similar to the gates on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Mall of the Emirates and on Al Garhoud Bridge, motorists will pay four dirhams ($1.10) each time they go through the Al Safa and Al Maktoum Bridge gates, paying a maximum of 24 dirhams in any one day.
However, motorists will only be charged once if they pass through the two Sheikh Zayed Road gates within the space of an hour, in either direction, and the Al Maktoum Bridge gate will only be operational between 6.00am and 10.00pm.
The expansion has proved very unpopular with motorists still unhappy over the implementation of the first gates in July last year.
More than 70 percent of respondents to a recent Arabian Business poll said they were sworn enemies of the toll system, with 25 percent of those saying the existing gates should be dismantled and the RTA should rethink the whole scheme.
Media reports have claimed previously there are plans to introduce yet more toll gates on Emirates Road, Al Khail Road, Al Ittihad Road, Shindagha Tunnel and Business Bay Crossing by 2009, and on the yet-to-be-built Shindagha Bridge and a fifth bridge spanning Dubai Creek by 2010.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
RTA cares!
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 17:30 UAE time
Fazal, you are so right. Nobody should think that RTA doesn't care - they certainly do. About money. So please don't make excuses for them because "they do not have the experts to study the toll system properly". Should we feel sorry for them? Anywhere else, Salik would have been introduced after completion of the Metro (and the closing down of the building sites making things even more painful in Dubai). The main purpose of implementing an urban toll system - like in London and Singapore - is to get people to use the public transport system which is available and affordable. In Dubai, neither applies.
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 17:30 UAE time
Fazal, you are so right. Nobody should think that RTA doesn't care - they certainly do. About money. So please don't make excuses for them because "they do not have the experts to study the toll system properly". Should we feel sorry for them? Anywhere else, Salik would have been introduced after completion of the Metro (and the closing down of the building sites making things even more painful in Dubai). The main purpose of implementing an urban toll system - like in London and Singapore - is to get people to use the public transport system which is available and affordable. In Dubai, neither applies.
Salik Toll
Posted by Fazal Baig, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 12:20 UAE time
I agree with HISHAM, RTA does not actually bother, not because they dont care, but they do not have the experts to study the toll system properly. Because for me I dont see any value for money to use the salik tolls and it doesnt bother me because my company pays for it.. If you ever use the toll in countries like Malaysia, Canada and US you will feel the difference in using the toll roads..
UAE has a long way to go, and I am sure they will be there, not sure when, so lets wait and go with the so called planning..
Posted by Fazal Baig, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 12:20 UAE time
I agree with HISHAM, RTA does not actually bother, not because they dont care, but they do not have the experts to study the toll system properly. Because for me I dont see any value for money to use the salik tolls and it doesnt bother me because my company pays for it.. If you ever use the toll in countries like Malaysia, Canada and US you will feel the difference in using the toll roads..
UAE has a long way to go, and I am sure they will be there, not sure when, so lets wait and go with the so called planning..
Don't waste your time
Posted by Hisham on Monday 22 September 2008 at 09:50 UAE time
To everyone on this list .. sorry to say this, but your comments are such a waste of time .. RTA doesn't bother a bit to change their strategy .. and NOBODY from RTA would care less about traffic being smooth etc. To those who are for Salik, my only comment is "nice try".
Posted by Hisham on Monday 22 September 2008 at 09:50 UAE time
To everyone on this list .. sorry to say this, but your comments are such a waste of time .. RTA doesn't bother a bit to change their strategy .. and NOBODY from RTA would care less about traffic being smooth etc. To those who are for Salik, my only comment is "nice try".
Taxis and Salik
Posted by David, Dubai on Sunday 21 September 2008 at 14:15 UAE time
It's a waste of time to protest about this. As it is, you pay dhs 4 for a taxi to go through Salik, even if the taxi has already gone through it 6 times that day (the maximum chargeable).
Posted by David, Dubai on Sunday 21 September 2008 at 14:15 UAE time
It's a waste of time to protest about this. As it is, you pay dhs 4 for a taxi to go through Salik, even if the taxi has already gone through it 6 times that day (the maximum chargeable).
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