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Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will start operating on Tuesday the second phase of the Toll Gates System (Salik) on Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Safa.
The first phase of the system covered two gates, on Al Garhoud Bridge and Al Barsha on Shaikh Zayed Road, which became operational in July 2007.
The RTA on Monday announced in a statement that the Toll Gate at Al Maktoum Bridge will be free of charge when the Floating Bridge is closed from 10pm to 6am daily.
The maximum charge for passing through the gates in one day is Dh24. And motorists will be charged only once when they cross Al Safa toll gate and Al Barsha toll gate (near Mall of the Emirates) in one trip, in a span of an hour.
Alternative routes
Salah Al Marzouqi, Director of the RTA's Intelligent Traffic Systems Department, said motorists can use alternative routes and public buses to avoid Salik.
Alternative routes include the 13-lane Business Bay Crossing, the Floating Bridge linking the terminal point of Al Ittihad Road near City Centre to Al Riyadh Road in Bur Dubai and Emirates Road, which the RTA has widened from three to six lanes on each side, up to the Arabian Ranches Interchange.
Your comments
My question is: what's the deal with Taxis and Salik - are they going to be exempted (as an alternative transport option to using your own car)? It's pretty predictable that taxi drivers are going to take every opportunity to pass Salik gates, as after they pass the 24 Dhs limit it's just extra cash in their pocket.
Clinton
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 10:34
What's the point of putting Salik if the traffic is still a disaster? Alternate routes are also confusing and long way.
Angel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 09:55
Hey why not install a Salik at my kitchen entrance? you can make money whenever I want to grab something to eat from the kitchen and believe me, you guys can make a lot of money since I "love" food!
Traffic has gone worse after the installation of the first two Saliks. The 2nd phase will only cause further chaos.
Sheraz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 09:32
The new toll gates are not a solution to the traffic problems; in fact they will create more problems on alternate routes. Salik should have been introduced after RTA had completed most of their ongoing projects and after Metro had started functioning.
M S
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 09:31
There is no traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road. This is really amazing... I'm just worried about these other people who are not passing through Salik, they should be going through real hell. I saw the long line of people trying to go into Al Wasl road to avoid Safa toll gate, it looks like they'll stay there for at least an hour.
Sam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 09:22
I just want to know what has prompted the authorities to have more saliks. Salah Al Marzouqi has asked motorists to use "alternative routes" and "public buses" to avoid salik. Where is the alternate route? Where is the public transportation system? I guess people don't have the choice but to pay salik.
Raman
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 09:11
Honestly I don't think it helped at all, nevertheless because of the Salik the traffic in the Greens and Al barsha area got worse!
Paco
Dubai,Uae
Posted: September 09, 2008, 08:58
I am working in Business Bay and living in Diyafa road. Just for using Shaikh Zayed road for such a small stretch I'm now forced to pay toll. I do not have any alternative as the road from Business Bay directly hits the toll point. The alternative routes suggested are only for those who drive long distance. But, the planners have not considered people like us! There should be some kind of link roads to jump over these small stretches.
Somu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 08:51
I don't get it. Why aren't all the toll gates free during off-peak hours? Is it really about traffic congestion?
Anand
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 08:20
kudos to RTA to make Dubai roads free to unwanted traffic and thus provide stress and jam free travel. RTA should put up toll gates at borders between Sharjah.
Parminder
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 08:19
As said by Mr.Salah Al Marzouqi use public buses to avoid Salik but where are the buses to use we have to wait a min. of 2 hour on a bus stop to get in to the bus.
Javeed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 09, 2008, 07:37
I dont think previously people are just roaming in Dubai, they are on the road as they have to otherwise who want to be in these traffic. So there are least chances that rush will come down. The only thing is that one has to pay till inflowing of people out numbered outgoing one's.
Mujtaba
Jeddah,KSA
Posted: September 09, 2008, 02:39
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