Page 39 - SALIK PR REPORT JANUARY 2024

“We can make more national highways connecting all emirates, but
construction will take longer. In the meantime, we can implement flexible
timings for schools and work areas – some can start between 7am and
8am, and others can start at 9am, 10am or 11am, so not everyone will be on
the road at the same time."

Flexible Salik tariff

The introduction of new Salik gates – one located at Business Bay Crossing
on Al Khail Road and the other one at Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road
between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street – meanwhile is
expected to reduce traffic on key Dubai routes by up to 42 per cent.
But passing under one of these new toll gates would mean a minimum of
Dh8 additional expense travelling between home and work daily,
accumulating up to Dh160 monthly. “This extra expense will eat up
our monthly household budget as this is already equivalent to 10 bags of 5-
kg rice at Dh15-16 per bag,” as noted by a KT reader earlier.
This is why motorists like Mahafus strongly suggest implementing flexible
Salik charges.
The RTA has also announced that it is considering introducing dynamic
pricing, whereby higher charges will be levied at peak times.
“That is a welcome consideration,” noted Mahafus, “as some motorists will
be able to avoid toll charges if flexible work and school timings are
introduced. The flexible tariff is already being implemented in Abu Dhabi,
and it gives motorists window time to pass Darb toll gates for free during
non-peak hours, Sundays and holidays.”

Flexible solutions

Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE,
noted: “Road toll has three objectives – to generate revenues to finance the
maintenance and expansion of the traffic infrastructure; to help reduce
traffic on congested roads to alternative no-toll roads, thereby regulating
the flow of traffic; and to reduce traffic to benefit the environment by less
pollution.”

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/transport/salik-gates-in-dubai-flexible-work-hours-carpooling-
can-help-ease-toll-costs-traffic-jam