News Dubai

Salik toll system's aim to reduce traffic 'is right on track'
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Dubai: The Salik toll system has helped reduce traffic passing through the toll gates on Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road by 20 per cent and is right on track, said a senior official.

"Salik is part of a series of integrated solutions worked out by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to tackle traffic congestion," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.

Speaking at a ceremony honouring the RTA's team working on the Salik project, Al Tayer said the project aims to alleviate the intensive individual use of vehicles, particularly within the same family. The system urges individuals to use public transport and alternative roads instead of congested roads.

"The project also aims to bring about an express corridor to meet the requirements of global trading companies and to respond to the needs of residents who wish to reach destination quickly," he added.

Al Tayer praised the efforts of the team that worked deliver the project on time. "Salik is one of the pioneer projects in the region and the world, as testified by world-class experts specialised in traffic systems," he said.

No financial gain

He noted that many motorists are now using alternate routes, citing statistics that show Salik has reduced congestion on toll-controlled roads by 20 per cent.

"More than 700,000 Salik tags, which are needed to pass through the gates, have been sold so far," he added.

He asserted that the Salik system is not for financial gain, which is negligible compared to the huge funds allocated by the RTA for road and traffic improvement in Dubai. The RTA will spend Dh45 billion on road projects by 2020.

Those honoured at the ceremony are: Engineer Maitha Obaid Bint Udai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency; Engineer Badr Al Siri, Director of Traffic Department; Engineer Salah Al Marzouqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems; Engineer Nazim Faisal, Director of Maintenance Department; Abdul Rahman Al Shair, Director of the Legal Affairs Department and a number of other officials.