Salik (In Arabic: سالك meaning "clear and moving") is the name given to the electronic toll road system in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The system has been by some residents of the city state for being an added expense for them. However, in general the system has been well received as a further way of attempting to reduce the serious congestion issues facing Dubai. The Salik toll system was implemented by Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on 1 July 2007.
Motorists are required to buy a 100 AED pre-paid card that is affixed to their windscreens. 4 AED ($1.08) will automatically be deducted from their account each time they pass through toll gate. Initially there were two toll gates, one near Al Garhoud Bridge, and one near Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road, but later in September 2008 two more gates were installed. The maximum charge per day per car using the tolled roads will be 24 AED ($6.48). Alternative routes include Business Bay Crossing, Floating Bridge (close to Al Maktoum Bridge; connects Al Ittihad Road (in Deira) with Al Riyadh Street (in Bur Dubai)), Al Khail Road, and Emirates Road.
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On 9 September 2008, two more SALIK gates were started. One at Safa Park and another at Al Maktoum Bridge. The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) explained how the new gates will work in conjunction with existing gates. Once a motorist passes through Al Barsha toll gate, he will be charged Dh4. But if he continues his journey, does not take a right or left turn or does not get stuck in traffic and passes though the Al Safa toll gate, he will not be charged. But if the motorist continues his journey and passes through the Al Maktoum toll gate, he will again be charged Dh4. Moreover, if the motorist, during the same journey, lastly passes through the Al Garhoud toll gate, he will again be charged Dh4. The Al Safa toll gate will be free of charge if the motorist is on one straight journey.
RTA also cleared that if a motorist passes through, for example, the Al Safa gate and then makes an exit from the Shaikh Zayed Road and again crosses another toll gate, he will have to pay Salik. But if he continues on the same trip and crosses Al Barsha toll gate, only Dh4 will be deducted.
The Al Maktoum Bridge toll gate will be free when the Floating Bridge is closed for traffic to ease the process for motorists.
The Salik Tags are the 'passive' RFID tags. 'Passive' tags are powered by the transceiver in the toll gate and no battery is required for the tag itself. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders.
An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
The use of this technology enables the traffic to continue flowing through the toll gates as opposed to vehicles having to stop and pay a monetary toll as on more traditional toll gates. The fees are currently relatively low, when compared to other major cities such as London.
Even though the tolls started on July 1, 2007, many commuters have criticised the RTA for implementing Salik, too soon, since alternative routes have become jammed. The initial hiccups of SMS alerts not being received by customers was traced to incorrect mobiles. Now the SMS alerts have become a critical component of the service and ensures that the customers receive their account information more accurately.
For some the largest area of concern of Salik is that the purchase of a Salik tag is tied to the car, instead of the owner. This means that a commuter from Abu Dhabi, or a neighbouring Persian Gulf country who drives into Dubai will be required to purchase a sticker which they will have to stick on the windscreen for the life of the car. The traveller who might come into Dubai once a year or less, will have to keep the orange sticker on the windscreen permanently, just in case they decide to return to Dubai. However, it must also be stated that for most vehicles the Salik tag cannot be seen from within the vehicle as it is obscured by the rear view mirror.
There was previous criticism of how the Salik charge used to be applied to taxi fares, but the Dubai RTA has now exempted them from the toll (see below).
The Dubai RTA have yet to clarify where exactly should the Salik tag be stuck, if the motorcycle does not have a windshield.
When Salik was launched on July 1, 2007, some of the advertised alternate routes were not yet completed. Floating Bridge opened to the public on July 16, 2007, two weeks after Salik began. The Salik toll system has received mixed reviews. Those travelling on Al Garhoud Bridge seem happy that it is no longer congested, while others on Sheikh Zayed Road are dismayed especially since there are many exit points before and after the Al Barsha toll gates. This has led to an influx of traffic into neighbouring residential areas of the Springs, Greens and Al Barsha communities.
All Dubai taxis will be exempt from the Salik road toll from Dec. 2 onwards to mark UAE National Day, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.[1]
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