News Dubai

'Refund money we paid for Salik toll' when violators are not fined
By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter

Dubai: Law-abiding residents who conform to the requirement to top up their Salik cards were appalled by the Roads and Transport Authority's waiving of Salik fines for motorists.

It was reported on Saturday that Salik fines for all motorists who are registered with the Dubai's road toll system, have been waived for the period between July 1 and October 31. Motorbike users will not be fined at all until December 31.

Violations of Salik toll system entailed fines ranging from Dh50 to Dh10,000 from November 1.

'What is the purpose'

Motorists, who paid to use Salik gates, called for the refund of their money if the violators are not getting fines.

"What is the purpose of Salik if it is not implemented properly? I would be happy if justice could be done for everyone and get a refund or add credit to my Salik account [equivalent to] all my money that I've spent since last July," said Adeoye Oyedokun, an operations manager. He noted that the waiver compromises the reputation of the toll system as it may be taken for granted in the future.

"It should have been implemented strictly from day one. The prices of everything have gone up, such as grocery items and school fees, and I have to adjust my spending habits to stay alive," he said, adding that he has to drive from Sharjah six days a week and continuously tops up his Salik account.

Amr Ebrahim, a Dubai-based architect who lives in Abu Dhabi, said waiving the fines beats the purpose as to why the road toll was implemented in the first place.

"We cannot depend on this type of system to work efficiently if it is not applied to everyone. Salik is a financial system that aims to provide a service to motorists, which in this case is to ease the traffic congestion," he said.

"But for it to be effective, it has to be applied to all people. The waiver should be removed and violators should pay their due penalties," Ebrahim said.

Bashar Shubber, a sales manager, was one of the few people who felt no remorse against the decision and said motorists who cannot afford the toll should use an alternative route.

"The people who did not pay for their Salik tags are probably low-income earners and cannot afford it. I suggest that they start using an alternative route because the toll system is a luxury item that cannot be afforded by everyone," he said.

Motorbike users said if they knew that they will not be fined until December 31, they would not have bothered purchasing a Salik card and would have been able to save money.

"The rules should be applied to everyone and it is not fair that the ones who are paying for it and listen to the authorities have to pay. Our payments made from July to October should be refunded," said Jude Premkumar, a driver working for a courier service.

Harmful to system

Motorists who did not top up their Salik tags purposely were perceived harmful to the system of the road toll.

"If people did not put money in their accounts deliberately, they should be charged for that. The system should include everyone, and no-one should have their fines removed because it defeats the purpose of having a toll gate," said Jyotsana Rajali, a school teacher who uses the toll gate twice a day.