Abu Dhabi may consider introducing toll tax accompanied with a new parking management system to help subsidise traffic congestion in the city.
The option for introducing toll tax comes as a proposal in the emirate's Surface Transport Master Plan that was officially launched at a ceremony held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre yesterday.
According to the master plan proposal, vehicles will be charged entering Abu Dhabi city to encourage people using the available multi-system public transport networks, including metro, tramway, waterway, buses and high-speed trains that will be available from 2015 onwards.
DoT Chairman Abdullah Rashed Al Otaiba said: "When the master plan is fully implemented commuting will be extremely fast and easy. It will be integrated and interconnected transport system in the emirate. With the web of a multi-transport networks available people may need to walk for more than 300 metres to catch up a mode of transport.
"Since commuting will be easy to move from one end of the emirate to another, there will be no need to drive into the city and congest the road. So tolls is one of the options or a policy that can be considered to prevent people taking their vehicles to main city centres and encourage them to use the available public transport networks."
Al Otaiba said all polices are under study as part of the master plan, including all paid parking spaces. He said with tolls and parking charges people will be encouraged to use public transport as they will be saving more money.
He also said the department in June this year will announce its new parking policy that is part of the proposed Parking Management System.
Parking charges under the system will vary between areas. Parking fees in downtown Abu Dhabi will be higher compared to areas outside the city.
The system, according to the department, will be gradually introduced with the gradual development of the transport infrastructure. "All the details about the Parking Management System will be announced in June. You will have all the details," Al Otaiba responded to a question.
"All the areas that will be out of metro and tramway reach will be connected with the high-speed trains to help get to the city with the help of metro and tram feeders easily. Those living in areas that are not connected with even the speed train network, take a taxi or bus or drive to nearby railway station and park their vehicles at huge parking facilities with minimum charges or even free of charge and then take train to the city. It will save them fuel, toll tax if implemented and parking charges in busy city areas," he explained.