Other choices for commuters
The Roads and Transport Authority have definitely jumped the gun on Salik, this matter needs some more research and common "social" sense. Usually the roads with a toll on them are not the only choice of commute, but the alternative. That's how it is in the US. It meant that if I was late for a meeting and wanted to get somewhere faster I would take the toll road because it was never crowded. This is not the case with Salik, so please don't try to offer it as a solution when it is clearly not!
From Mr Shoaib Mushtaq
Dubai
Why 24 hours?
If the purpose behind implementing Salik is to solve the traffic problems in Dubai, then why is it going to run 24 hours a day? It should at least be free on holidays and off-peak hours. I think this is simply a way to increase profits. Just imagine travelling to the malls located beyond the Salik gates from Bur Dubai and coming back, it will cost an unnecessary Dh16.
From Ms Nousha
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Traffic disaster
The decision would have been welcomed if there were alternative routes. Other countries that introduce a toll system already have fully functional public transport systems in place, which leaves options for their residents to use other means of transport. The UAE should study and conduct a wider research before launching this disaster!
From Ms Caroline
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Troubled mission
I truly believe that an alternative system needs to be developed before introducing Salik. It is not logical to rush into the matter, as a large number of people are going to be negatively affected. Motorists have apprehensions about the success of Salik, which is making them think twice before purchasing the toll tags.
From Ms Mahima
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Badly congested
It is a good thing to make people use alternative roads but only when you provide enough alternatives! Al Khail Road and Emirates Road are already extremely slow moving during peak hours. When Salik is introduced they will become even more congested. The RTA should at least wait till they complete road works on Al Khail and Emirates roads.
From Mr M. Srikanth
Dubai
A study is needed
Clearly the proposed toll system is to generate profit for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Dubai lacks alternative routes to handle the rerouted traffic and an efficient public transport system. RTA should implement Salik once the Metro is completed or when new roads have been completed. Salik is going to make the commuter's life miserable through the Al Maktoum and Business Bay bridges. Further, the residents of Jumeirah and Al Wasl will pay the price. RTA should have done a detailed study before taking this decision.
From Mr Prasanth
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Exempt motorbikes
What are the Salik rules for those of us who ride a motorbike? Being a biker I have a few concerns. I think charging the same amount for motorbikes as for a four-wheel-drive is not justifiable. Also we don't have windows and therefore where do we display the tag? If we stick it on the bike than it is very likely that it will be stolen. May I please request that the Roads and Transport Authority to exempt motorcycles from Salik.
From Mr Ali Al Syed
Dubai
I don't agree
For me to take my children to and from school, from Al Barsha, I travel a total of 200 metres on the highway, for which I will pay Dh4 each time. Anyone going from interchange four towards Jebel Ali is likewise charged - without going near the congestion area in town - how does this make sense? The gate should be under the Mall of the Emirates bridge, so the people joining the highway at interchange four are not penalised. Better yet - move the gates on the other side of the road to charge cars as they enter the congestion area.
From Ms Fiona C.
Dubai
A map please!
I ask the Roads and Transport Authority to please map out - for the general public - the alternative routes or methods of transport that they want people to use instead of Shaikh Zayed Road. I am assuming that these routes and methods have been assessed during the studies for Salik. In short I'd like to see what choice I have, instead of paying the Dh16 I am going to be charged for my daily trip to work.
From Mr Iain
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Burden the pocket
I completely agree if the main purpose of Salik is not to generate revenues, but to reduce traffic and ensure smooth flow, then the timings should be altered. After 9.30 pm till the early hours of the morning, the roads are not congested, so there is no need for Salik. The hole in the pockets of middle class people is increasing and it is becoming more and more difficult to make ends meet, so please don't add to the burden.
From Ms Bina Khiani
Dubai
We need protection
I agree with most of the comments against Salik on Page 3 of Gulf News ("Toll sparks fears on Jumeirah and Al Wasl roads", June 14). I would like to add that traffic is going to be forced on to Al Khail and Emirates roads, which are already death traps. Instead of trying to make money, I suggest that the Roads and Transport Authority and the Police work together to remove the ruthless drivers from our roads. Please start protecting those of us that are law-abiding before you start charging us.
From Mr Andrew
UAE
Full name withheld by request
A blunder
Salik is sure to cause havoc on Dubai roads. Be it home, office, restaurants and malls, Salik is the hot topic being discussed. People are already planning to use other roads to avoid Salik. I definitely would like to see how the Roads and Transport Authority is going to rectify this huge blunder.
From Mr Ahmad
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
RTA doesn't care
It scares me that within a few days I'll have to change my daily route because I can't afford to pay the toll. I spend a lot of time on Dubai roads due to the never-ending traffic, which I am, in fact, getting used to. However, I am not sure what I am going to do come July 1. Maybe I'll change my route or just simply get to work late every day and possibly end up losing my job. But who cares because the Roads and Transport Authority certainly doesn't!
From Mr Abdullah
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Not possible
I can't imagine that it is possible to have more traffic on Emirates Road. It took me three hours on Saturday to get from Trade Centre to Ajman. Only the divine knows what is going to happen when this new toll system is implemented!
From Ms Mona
Ajman
Full name withheld by request
Instead of Salik
Salik should be put on hold till an alternative mode of transport is made available to commuters. Currently people who use the roads are bona fide commuters not joy riders. Instead of Salik, the Police should patrol the roads and implement strict traffic rules.
From Mr Kishore Watson
Abu Dhabi
Not right
Before implementing Salik, we should be provided with alternative public transport such as the Metro. It is not the right time to charge people when you have given them no alternative.
From Mr F. A.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
A slight confusion
The television advertisement for Salik informs drivers to place the Salik sticker one centimetre below the rear view mirror bracket on the windscreen, at the front of the vehicle. The cameras on Shaikh Zayed Road are being set up to take pictures of the rear of vehicles as they pass. Any explanations?
From Mr Paul Sherlock
Dubai
Gulf News Reader's Club member
In'toll'erable
A seemingly awesome plan is going to turn into a real nightmare and create misery in residential areas, as traffic will try to detour to service roads. I predict more accidents and further congestion. It will impact everybody's daily life in more than one way, adding more inflationary pressure to the UAE economy.
From Mr Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai
Gulf News Reader's Club member
Too much talk
The Salik debate has been blown out of proportion. The idea of a toll is to generate revenue for the concerned department to improve infrastructure. Check out the tolls in the US and Europe. I can tell you Nice to St Tropez costs 45 euros.
From Mr Howard Michael Nuttall
Dubai
Solve the problem
I feel it is simply a way for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to make money because Salik will make life more difficult. Instead of making roads more accessible, the RTA is trying to get rid of the problem without properly solving it. If a toll system is going to be introduced, it should be done after improving roads and completion of all road projects.
From Mr Syed Asif
Dubai
Cheaper answer
Salik is not going to reduce traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road because most people commute to Deira, Rashidiya and Sharjah because of the high rent prices. Instead of Salik and other road networks, introduce low budget accommodation in Jebel Ali. This way the middle class people who work in the Jebel Ali area will not have to commute all the way to the other side of town and at least 25 per cent of the Shaikh Zayed Road traffic will be reduced.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Ruin other routes
I think Salik may help reduce traffic congestion on Al Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road, but it will devastate the traffic on other routes. I think almost everybody would prefer to take a different route than pay the daily toll unless it's absolutely necessary. Salik should be delayed till other routes are opened and the Metro is operational.
From Ms Saima Dhani
Dubai
Explaining it
Salik has become a hot topic of discussion - as the implementation date approaches - and most people oppose it. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has been running a campaign to inform motorists about Salik. This is all well and good because Dubai has a major traffic issue. So then why are people opposing Salik? I think its because despite its campaign, the RTA still hasn't managed to explain how the toll is going to improve the traffic situation. If they can successfully explain it, then maybe people will look forward to Salik.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Tense commuters
I strongly oppose implementing Salik. They should first improve the infrastructure and then think about charging. Commuters are already suffering from daily traffic jams. Salik will create more tension.
From Mr C. Sekar
Dubai
It's wrong
This is another way of making money. If Salik is solely for the purpose of reducing traffic then it should only be charged during peak hours and definitely only after the Metro is up and running.
From Mr Rayyan Al Khateeb
Abu Dhabi
Don't mind
The toll system will only benefit those who don't mind paying an average of Dh250 per month. Others will have to spend more time in the traffic to avoid paying. I predict that a journey from Jebel Ali to Sharjah, which already takes an average of two hours, will take an average of three-and-a-half hours. Implementing Salik without providing any additional roads is absolutely a bad idea.
From Mr Anish Prince
Dubai
Dangerous crossing
Some drivers are making dangerous U-turns - in spite of the fact there is a no U-turn sign - at a specific traffic light in Bur Dubai. It happens all the time and it is very dangerous and could lead to an accident. I - as a pedestrian - am literally scared to cross the road even if the light is green at the zebra crossing. I ask the concerned authorities to please put an end to this and impose stricter rules on errant motorists.
From Mr Vijaya Rajit
Dubai
Sad state
In reference to the on going conflict between journalists and the Venezuelan government, I must say that it is a sad state of affairs. The media is the main way of communicating, and the fact that it has been cut is not acceptable. I was watching the protesters on TV, who were not just journalists but government people also; their support is deeply appreciated.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Ajman
Gulf News Reader’s Club Member
Banding together
The Lebanese Army should be exactly what it is meant to be; a “Lebanese army”, not Muslim, not Christian, and it should definitely be pro-Lebanon. This will be a defining point in the modern history of Lebanon. Where an army can prove itself to its own country – for whom it is there to defend and protect. This can only be good for Lebanon. It is high time that the Lebanese people banded together and scold other external influences that aim to send this small nation into a perpetual problems.
From Mr Tony Mouhrab
Shameful bullies
Bullies are a shame to their parents and family (“Schools should deal with bullies”, Gulf News, June 5). They lack respect and obedience, which ought to have been inculcated from childhood onwards. I know of a case when a tall girl of class ten was forced to sit with the air-condition turned full on her by the girl bullies in her class. She wasn't allowed to move away as the others' view to the blackboard would be obstructed. Just as charity begins at home, good manners can only begin at home. Many parents here do not control their offspring well enough.
From Dr Mathew
Ras al Khaimah
Full name withheld by request
A bully’s revenge
It is hard to control bullying taking place in schools because it mostly goes on secret (“School takes bullies head on” Gulf News, June 4). The situation tends to go unnoticed by teachers because the victimised pupil will hesitate to come forward and name the bullies, fearing vengeance. In my opinion teaching children respect for others begins from home, because over pampered children may be susceptible to emerge as bullies.
From Mr. Shafeeque Babu
Dubai
Bachelor bane
Kudos to human rights, for highlighting the unfair treatment of bachelors. We need to understand that today medieval thinking should not prevail. We should see that we need one another and see the good and not the negative side. Stop stereotyping.
From Mr Felix Sabiniano
Abu Dhabi
Useless history lesson
The US continues to defy world opinion by engaging in Iraq. Americans don’t seem to learn from history. Did Vietnam teach them nothing? Now thousands of Iraqis and non-Iraqis are dying because Bush wants to control not only oil, but also the very essence of life itself in the Middle East. Not very helpful, is it?
From Mr Adrian Caoimh
Australia
Bringing in religion
Once again the US is bringing religion into any activity done by a non-Christian. What is the US up to? Do they want to start a religious war? I see no point in identifying the religion of the plotters. How is it that Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bomber) was not called a Christian while other people's religion comes to the forefront? This is appalling.
From Mr Salim Mohammed
Abu Dhabi
Helping the commuter
I would like to mention the trauma each individual goes through in the morning near the Garhoud area. There are about 3-4 schools and all the buildings around are commercial. There is ongoing metro work, dozens of school buses and thousands of vehicles but no parking spaces. It would be appreciated if before commencing the road works, the authorities would build parking lots (at least paid ones). We have to drive our vehicles, as the bus service is very poor and not frequent enough. Please help all the people who start their day in such circumstances.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
