Dubai residents wish for daily 'Salik-free' time at every toll gate

Many residents tweeted their wish for Salik-free time after 10pm to the Road Transport Authority (RTA) during their first electronic customers’ council.

“What about Salik in Al Itihad street ? Can you make it free after 10?” tweeted a resident.

To which, the RTA replied; “Thank you it will be sent to the concerned department.”

Another resident put forward the same request. “Guys, how about making Airport Tunnel and Sharjah salik gates free past 10pm, like you do at Maktoum Bridge?

“Please relax the Salik tolls after 10pm:)”

The RTA responded; “Thank You. We will send your suggestion to the concerned department to study and assess it.”

Just a few days back, Emirates24|7 wrote that there is no Salijk toll on Al maktoum Bridge once the Floating Bridge is closed to traffic.

The Salik toll is not charged between 10pm and 6am on Saturday to Thursday and from 10pm to 9am on Fridays.

This system has been in place ever since the Al Maktoum toll was introduced in 2008.

Many residents hope that similar plans will be extended to other toll gates in the night, when the traffic is smooth.

“Why doesn't it make sense for other gates... Why do I need to pay Salik on Itihaad road at 12 midnight when the road is clear,” wrote a resident on the Emirates24|7 facebook page.

Ashwathy, a regular on the Dubai roads, added; “If Salik was introduced to reduce traffic congestion, which it has, then the authorities must introduce off-times during off-peak times. This will benefit everyone.”

Two new Salik gates were launched earlier this year bringing the total number of gates to six. They are: Al Garhoud, Al Barsha, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Safa, Al Mamzar and Airport Tunnel.

In July this year, RTA scrapped the Dh24 daily Salik cap that had been in play since its launch in 2007.

This means motorists will be charged Dh4 each time they passed a Salik gate.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.