News Dubai

Taxi firms deny cashing in as Salik gets under way
VESELA TODOROVA SENIOR REPORTER

Taxi firms could collect a windfall from Dubai’s Salik road toll system because of the cap on the daily fees that can be collected.

The charge for passing through one of the toll points at Garhoud Bridge and Intersection Four of Sheikh Zayed Road is Dh4.

The daily cap for any vehicle is Dh24 – the cost of going through the gates six times.

But taxi drivers will charge passengers Dh4 every time they pass through. And if the cab has already done so six times the company will not have to hand over the extra cash to the authorities.

One privately owned operator is trying to solve the problem so that passengers do not lose out. A spokesman said the company was setting up a system under which only the first six passengers of the day who passed the gates would have to pay the charge.

“This is what we have been trying to do for 10 days,” he added. “Our system might not be up-and-running in time for the launch of Salik on Sunday but it should be operational later next week.” A manager from another firm, Arabia Taxi, denied that companies would be cashing in as many customers would instruct drivers to avoid going through the toll points.

“No one is looking at making Dh4 profit,” he said.

Meanwhile motorists will learn on Saturday whether the new floating bridge will be open in time for the launch of Salik.

The bridge would give drivers wishing to avoid paying toll at Garhoud Bridge an alter native way to cross the creek.

The announcement will be made by the Roads and Transport Authority as it instructs drivers about the routes they can take to escape Salik.

A statement on the bridge was expected yesterday but was delayed until the weekend as work continued.

The other crossings – Maktoum Bridge, Shindaga Tunnel and Business Bay Bridge – are expected to expe rience an increase in traffic volumes because of Salik.

The Dh81.5 million floating bridge, located half-a-kilometre south of Maktoum Bridge, was originally intended to open in March.

The deadline was pushed back once, but the authority said it would be completed in time for Salik’s launch.

The 300-metre long bridge, with three lanes in each direction, is expected to take 37 per cent of the traffic that currently uses Maktoum Bridge.

The new bridge stretches across the intersection near Deira City Centre on the Deira side and an intersection to be built on Riyadh Street, between the Dubai Courts and Creek Park in Bur Dubai.