The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority(RTA) implemented the Salik toll gate system on 1st July 2007.The word Salik means Open /Clear .The system is an electronic toll collection one ,mainly intended to have a smooth , efficient and free flow of traffic .There are no toll booths or toll collectors in this system .The main idea behind this implementation is to avoid long traffic queues .
How does Salik Work
The vehicle owners are required to buy a pre-paid Salik Tag/card which is AED 100 and fix it to their windscreens. The Salik Tag is an RFID –Radio Frequency Identification Tag .This is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders which are empowered by the transceiver in the toll gate. An RFID Tag can be identified from several meters away using Radio waves. It works in all weather conditions and speeds .So instead of stopping at the toll booths, the motorist can move on and the electronic scanner will identify the vehicle. Every time the vehicle passes through the electronic gate, an amount of AED 4 is deducted from his/her account.
During the First phase of the project, the RTA authorities implemented two toll gates one near Al Garhoud Bridge, and one near Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road. From reliable sources it has been proved that the first phase of the Salik system has helped in decreasing traffic at toll areas by 25 % and has also succeeded in lowering the duration of the journey on Sheikh Zayed road by 50% .The first phase has also seen an increase in the average speed from 40 to 80 km/hour.
The second phase of Salik system was implemented in September 2008 during which two more gates were installed -one on Al Safa Park Bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road and the other on Al Maktoum Bridge. Motorists passing through Al Safa and the already operational Al Barsha gate will be charged a toll fee of AED4 only once if they pass the two gates in the same journey. However the maximum charge per day per car using the tolled roads will be 24 AED ($6.48). Alternative routes include Business Bay Crossing, Floating Bridge (close to Al Maktoum Bridge; connects Al Ittihad Road (in Deira) with Al Riyadh Street (in Bur Dubai)), Al Khail Road, and Road. Further information on the routes can be found at the RTA website.
Where to get a Salik Tag
You can buy a Salik tag and open a Salik account at all branches of Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Bank in addition to Epco, Enoc and Emarat petrol stations in Dubai. . The customer service centre of Salik offers all kinds of assistance regarding queries, opening accounts, recharging and checking the balance. Users can contact them by calling 800- Salik (800-72545).
Salik account
As soon as you buy your Salik Tag, it is necessary to open a pre paid account –Salik account. You will have to provide personal information about yourself and details of the vehicle you own. The application form can be downloaded from the Salik website http://www.salik.ae or can also be bought at retail outlets. Once your application has been processed, you will be sent an account number. You will also have to provide a copy of your car registration along with the application.
If your Salik tag is not registered to your account, you will have to pay penalty fines. So make sure you open the account to pay your tolls properly. In case you haven’t installed your Salik Tag and pass through the Salik Toll Gates, you will be fined AED 100. Then within 48 hours you have to open your Salik account and affix the Tag on to your vehicle. Again you will be informed when your Toll amount has been used up through SMS .There are options to top up the amount through Internet, Participating banks and petrol stations.
Damage to the Salik Tag
If you happen to lose /damage your Salik tag, you will have to purchase another one immediately and replace the old one. Again if you happen to sell the vehicle, you will have to inform the authorities at the Salik customer service centre and deactivate the Salik Account in your name pertaining to that particular vehicle.
Points to note regarding Salik Tags
- Certain categories of vehicles including Public transport buses, school buses, ambulances, police and army vehicles will be exempt from the toll.
- If you have more than one vehicle, you can open one account and take individual tags for each vehicle. All the tags owned by you will be charged to your account.
- Maximum amount that can be charged in a day one vehicle is AED 24.
- If you do not have sufficient credit in your account and pass through the Toll gate, you will be fined AED 50 .However this will be waived if you replenish the account within 48 hours.
- You will be charged only if you cross the Toll gate, so you can still travel through part of the road without paying anything.
- The 800-SALIK (72545) call centre provides all necessary information related to the new system in three languages Arabic, English and Urdu.
- The Salik website is www.salik.ae