Dubai: Dubai will be the first city in the region to introduce a road toll system. Motorists who face the heat of clogged traffic in this fast developing emirate will start paying a road toll to use part of Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid roads - the city's busiest highways with major commercial development on both sides.
Toll gates have already been installed by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) near Al Garhoud Bridge on Shaikh Rashid Road and the Fourth Interchange near Mall of the Emirates on Shaikh Zayed Road.
Traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road is due to be reduced by 25 per cent after introduction of the toll. Currently, around 130,000 vehicles use Shaikh Zayed Road every day, and about 8,000 vehicles per hour cross Al Garhoud Bridge during peak hours in both directions.
The toll system has been named Salik, which means 'clear' or 'open' and will be operational from July 1. A test run began on June 15 to check the system but motorists will start paying the Dh4 toll each time they cross a Salik gate from July 1.
"Salik is considered one of the leading national projects that is going to be implemented for the first time in the region, and it is among the integrated solutions that aim to offer smooth and secured transportation in the emirate," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
Floating bridgeDespite fears among the public of congested alternative routes, Al Tayer said that most of the alternate roads will be completely activated in time for the launch of Salik.
"We have finished a major part of the Business Bay Crossing. Work on the Dubai Bypass Road, which provides a direct link between Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, will also be complete before the start of Salik. The RTA is also working on expanding Al Maktoum Bridge and Emirates Road, which will have six lanes on each side.
"In addition to this the Floating Bridge, being constructed between Al Garhoud and Al Maktoum bridges, is one of the major alternative roads planned to reduce the strain on Dubai's road network and its users, it has the capacity to accommodate 6,000 vehicles per hour during peak hours," he said.
All queries on Salik answered1) What is a Salik tag? A Salik tag is a sticker with an electronic chip readable by scanners installed at the toll gates using Radio Frequency Identification technology. It works in all weather conditions and speeds, and provides accurate and reliable identification of your vehicle.
2) Where can I buy a Salik tag? You can buy a Salik tag and open a Salik account at all branches of Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Bank in addition to Epco, Enoc and Emarat petrol stations in Dubai.
3) How does Salik work? Motorists will not have to stop to pay the toll. They will have to purchase pre-paid cards and the fix machine-readable-stickers on the vehicle's front windshield. Toll charges will be deducted from their cards every time they pass under the electronic gates fitted with scanners.
4) What is your Salik account? Your Salik tag helps the system to identify you and is associated with your personal Salik account. Your Salik account is created when you buy a Salik tag. You must provide information about yourself and your vehicle to open your prepaid account and properly pay your tolls. Simply having a tag on your windshield is not enough and may result in a fine if your tag is not registered to your account.
5) How do I open a Salik account? To open a Salik account you should provide a completed application when you purchase your tag. These applications are available at retail outlets or can be downloaded from the Salik website. Your account number will be sent to you via SMS when your application is processed. You will need to provide a copy of your car registration at the time of submitting an application.
6) Do I need to fill out an application form? Yes, when first opening your account you will be required to provide information including your personal details as well as a copy of your car registration.
7) What happens if I do not have a Salik tag but use toll gates? Ideally, you should get and install a tag prior to travelling through the Salik zones or take an alternate route to avoid fines. You will be fined Dh100 for not having a Salik tag. But there is no need to panic, as you can still have your fine waived if you open a Salik account and affix a Salik tag within two days of committing the violation.
8) What happens if I don't have enough credit in my account? You will receive an SMS as a reminder and you should top up your account. There are various methods to top up the account, including the web, participating banks or petrol stations.
9) Can I drive through the toll zone immediately after buying a tag? Yes, if your tag is purchased and installed properly and an application is submitted or in process, the proper toll will be assessed and no violation will occur.
10) Will I have a separate account for every tag? No, each account can have multiple tags. However, each account will have one account owner and one associated mobile number for communicating account information.
11) What if I damage or lose my tag? If your Salik tag gets damaged or lost, the vehicle owner must pay for a new tag to replace it.
12) Someone else was driving my car at the time of violation. Do I have to pay? Yes, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for any toll violation, regardless of who was driving at the time the violation occurred.
13) How do I manage my Salik account? You may access your account online at www.salik.ae or call the Salik customer service centre at 800 SALIK (72545). You can use ATMs at selected banks to top up your account or get a balance enquiry. Top ups can also be done online with a credit or debit card. Your account balance can be requested via SMS.
14) Are there any off or peak hours? No, there are no off or peak hours. Salik will be operational round the clock.
16) Who is exempt from toll charges? Public transport buses, school buses, ambulances, police and army vehicles will be exempt from the toll.
17) What if I have more than one vehicle? You can open an account in your name and buy tags under that account. You can buy tags for all your vehicles, but they will be charged to one account. You can add as many tags as you want to your account.
18) Is there a maximum amount that can be charged in a day? Yes, there will be a maximum charge of Dh24 for each car for unlimited crossings per day.
19) What happens if I get a fine for not having enough credit in my account? If you have a Salik tag on the windshield and pass through the toll gate without having enough credit, you will be fined Dh50. But the fine will be waived if you replenish your account within two days.
20) What If I am driving to Dubai from other emirates or other countries and do not have a Salik tag? You will see signs warning you about toll gates on the roads leading to toll zones. It is advisable to stop at the nearest petrol station and buy a Salik tag and register to open an account. But if you do not have time, you can just use the road and your fine will be waived if you register for Salik within two days.
21) What if my company has many vehicles? Companies or individuals who have more than one vehicle do not require separate Salik accounts for each vehicle. They can open one account in their name and can get separate tags for all their vehicles working under the same account.
22) Will passengers in taxis pay the toll? Yes, taxis are not exempt from the toll and the passenger travelling through the toll controlled area will be charged Dh4 with the taxi fare. However, passengers will have the option to opt for the Salik route or alternative routes.
23) What happens if you drive a rental car? Rental car companies will be able to check through the website whether the person who rented a car used a toll gate and they will be charged accordingly.
24) Can I use sections of the road between the toll gates without being charged the Dh4? Yes. You will be charged only if you pass through a toll gate. If you use part of the road, entering and exiting without going through the toll gates, you will not be charged.
25) How long can I use the credit in my Salik account? There is no limit. You can use money credited to your Salik account until you run out of credit. There is no time limit.
Traffic tariffType of service/ FeesAll types of vehicles -Dh4
Card and subscription fee - Dh50
Card replacement fee - Dh50
Card cancellation fee - Dh10
Transfer of card - Dh50
List of finesFailure to display the card on vehicle - Dh100
Repeat of same offence - Dh200
Third time same offence - Dh400
Insufficient credit in the card - Dh50
Manipulation or cheating in cards - Dh10,000
Delay in paying fines - Dh10*
Use of tariff gates by unauthorised vehicles - Dh100
An additional fine for non-payment - Dh10*
*per month
source:
http://dubaionline.mconet.biz/index.php?action=fullnews&id=326165&category=965&category_name=dubai_news
