Salik for taxi rides in Dubai from mid-Jan

People using taxis in Dubai will have to pay the Salik (toll) fee if they pass through the toll gates from the middle of next month.

The Public Transport Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday announced that it has decided to reapply the toll charge for cab rides.

Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari, CEO of the agency, said: “The decision will be applied gradually as the RTA’s staff concerned will be upgrading meters in a specific number of taxis on a daily basis starting from the middle of next month. This procedure will clearly contribute to easing traffic flow by rerouting the vehicular movement on a number of roads and streets in the emirate. Most notably, it is set to ease pressure on Shaikh Zayed Road, and encourage commuters to use Dubai Metro.”

Whether to take routes where there are Salik gates will be optional for passengers, he said. The cab driver will offer the passenger the option of crossing Salik gates or using alternative roads.

The Salik of Dh4 will be added automatically to the meter reading when the cab passes the Salik gate.

Al Dosari told Khaleej Times that the meters in the over 8,000 taxis plying in the emirate will be upgraded in phases, and the whole fleet will be covered by the end of March.

“The enforcement of the system will not affect the passengers who use cabs much. It is being implemented worldwide,” he said.

“Reintroduction of Salik for cab rides was deferred until Dubai Metro was fully operational and the authority beefed up its bus fleet to 1,000.” Taxis make 350,000 trips everyday and 98 million trips per year, he said, adding that the Salik reintroduction will only reduce a small number of trips.

The toll system will be the same as that for private vehicles — only Dh4 will be charged if the vehicle crosses Al Safa Salik Gate and Al Barsha Gate in an hour’s time.

No charges will be levied while crossing the Salik Gate on Al Maktoum Bridge from 10pm to 6am.

Only police patrol vehicles and ambulance vans are exempted from Salik, while all other motor vehicles, including those of government departments, even the RTA, should pay the toll if they cross the gates, Al Dosari said.

“The RTA is keen on improving the package of services rendered to various community segments through keeping abreast of the ongoing development taking place in the public transport sector. It will continue to develop innovative solutions and upgrade the business conduct of all RTA agencies and sectors, offering smooth, speedy and excellent services to the widest number of customers possible, spanning citizens, residents, visitors and tourists in keeping with the reputed profile of Dubai as a premier business hub in the region.”

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