It’s official now. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Wednesday said it had decided to re-apply the toll gate (Salik) to all taxis from the middle of January 2013.

RTA said it will also offer taxi passengers the option to pass under any of Salik toll gates in Dubai.

Eisa Abdul-Rahman Al Dosari, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, said: “The decision will be applied gradually as RTA concerned staff will be working on upgrading taxi meter systems of a specific number of taxis on daily basis starting from the middle of next month. This procedure will clearly contribute to easing the traffic flow by re-routing the vehicular movement on a number of roads & streets in the Emirate. Most notably, it is set to ease the pressure on Sheikh Zayed Road, and encourage commuters to use the Dubai Metro in their daily travels.

“The passage of taxicabs under Salik toll gates will be optional for taxi passengers i.e. the cabdriver will offer the passenger the option of passing under Salik gates or using alternative roads. The addition of the Salik toll will be fully automated i.e. the system will add four dirham as Salik Gate toll without any intervention on the part of the taxi driver; which will render the application of the procedures highly transparent and hassle-free.”

Al Dosari  said RTA is keen on improving the package of services rendered to various community segments through keeping abreast of the ongoing development taking place in public transport sector. It will continue to develop innovative solutions capable of upgrading the business conduct of all RTA agencies and sectors, besides 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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