Salik

Salik Road Toll Dubai

www.dubaifaqs.com

Salik Road Toll in Dubai, UAE

salikdubai.info (not .com) is an easy to remember URL which gets redirected to this page.
See also the Salik Road Toll discussion to read more, and add your comments or questions.
Looking for the official Salik website? It's at www.salik.ae.
login to your Salik account at customers.salik.ae (try using your email address if you can't login).


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General Salik information

Salik (pronounced Sa-lik as in cat, not car, and not spelt as Salek, Salic, Salec, or Saalik) is the name given to the congestion charge or road user fee system in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting 01 July 2007. Dubai's road users will have to pay a road toll or fee of 4 dhs whenever driving past one of two checkpoints located on the Sheikh Zayed Road at interchange 4 near Mall of the Emirates (MOTE), and Garhood Bridge (see the map of Salik toll points in the forum topic). The system as planned will charge a maximum of 24 dhs per day for those users frequently driving past the toll stations.

The Salik road toll stirred up some passionate discussion in Dubai with a senior police official suggesting that the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority Dubai) was premature with implementing the Salik system. Residents put Salik at the top of their whine list as the launch date approached, and there are a couple of online petitions against (not for) the Salik road tolls. Many residents are saying it's just a revenue collection exercise, not a traffic problem solution. The RTA have said they expect to generate annual revenue of about 600 million dhs from Salik. In October 2006, the RTA said they had plans to develop 500 km of roads at a cost of 44 billion dhs (44,000 million) in Dubai, and traffic would flow smoothly within 3 years.

As with anything new in Dubai, there were a few teething problems that needed to be ironed out, or a complete shambles in the opinion of some residents. Problems include major traffic jams around the Garhood Bridge and MOTE intersections as people try to avoid the toll gates, Salik tag shortages as the toll system was launched (for residents, taxis and rental cars), delays in receipt of account number required for online login, mobile telephones flooded with text messages from Salik (along with spam from unrelated companies), unhelpful instructions for motorcyclists, contradictory statements from various authorities about Salik.

Accident potential increased with some drivers braking sharply before the Salik toll bridge - presumably thinking it's a new speed camera, or that they have to stop to pay the Salik toll somewhere, or changing their minds about paying the Salik road toll and wanting to reverse to the previous motorway exit - a typical Dubai Driving maneuver. Stay alert and good luck.

Latest news about the Salik road toll in Dubai

Sunday 03 January 2008 - Dubai residents say they don't want more Salik

Arabianbusiness.com, a UAE business magazine and website, conducted a survey which saw the majority of respondents saying they didn't want more Salik toll roads. A result which is unlikely to surprise anyone, except perhaps the RTA. What was surprising was that 16% of those surveyed wanted more Salik toll gates as soon as possible. Then again, perhaps the surprise was that so few voted in favour, after all, according to a 29 January 2008 report in the Khaleej Times, Mattar Al Tayer, the RTA chief, said

"The fact that Salik has done wonders by reducing traffic congestion by almost 30 per cent on Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road cannot be denied. People are happy and are praising the toll system,"

Tuesday 29 January 2008 - Salik expansion plans again

Following on from August, November, and December reports of Salik expansion plans, several newspaper reports appeared, commenting on the possibility of the Salik toll system expansion. A definitive statement was supplied to the Gulf News by the RTA boss, Mattar Al Tayer, who said "I can't say 'yes' or 'no' on the second phase of the Salik toll system on Dubai roads," which clears things up nicely.

He apparently said that the current Salik system was being evaluated and possible future projects were being studied, and so you aren't left wondering what that means, this is what else he said to the Gulf News and the Khaleej Times.

"But it does not mean that Salik is being introduced on other roads,"
"We have not taken any decision on the implementation of the second phase of the Salik. The toll system is in fact part of a series of integrated solutions worked out by the RTA to tackle traffic congestion,"
"We will inform the public if there is any decision on introducing the second phase of Salik but so far there is no plan,"
"We are looking at different options. The RTA is presently studying the phase 2 and 3 of the project. We would be announcing the decision soon,"

Sounds like it is definitely a certainty that the second phase of the Salik system could possibly be under consideration for future implementation in the fullness of time should the circumstances deem it to be necessary.

Sunday 20 January 2008 - no Salik Tags available and Garhood Bridge Salik toll gates moving

Several reports of a shortage of Salik Tags with people saying that they are not available at Abu Dhabi petrol stations, and few or no petrol stations on the way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai had Salik tags in stock. The RTA helpline was apparently as unhelpful as ever, saying that they had no reports of shortages, and those who wanted to complain should come to the RTA in Dubai (a trip that could involve driving through a Salik toll point).
Similar complaints were heard from visitors from other emirates, and Oman.
More complaints about the online recharge facility slow or not working.
To test things out, we bought a Salik tag in December 2007. Almost 2 months later, we still haven't received an SMS with Salik account details.
The Salik gates on the way, or after, the Garhood Bridge will be moved to the top of the new Garhoud Bridge says Engineer Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of the RTA Traffic and Roads Agency.

Tuesday 01 January 2008 - Salik is a success

A couple of days after the RTA seemed to imply the implementation of Salik was a shambles, by cancelling fines, they then said Salik was a success with a 20% reduction in traffic congestion on the Garhoud Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road, and 50% some days. Presumably that means if you took an hour to cross the Garhood Bridge from the Trade Center before Salik (a 5 km trip), it now only takes 48 minutes. Joyful news indeed.

29-31 December 2007 - Salik fines waived

The RTA said they would waive Salik fines from 01 July to 31 October for all motorists, whether or not they had registered with Salik, as a "goodwill gesture". Dubai residents who had diligently followed RTA instructions and abided by the Salik rules, fumed. Salik-busters were delighted.
The RTA backed down the next day and said only registered Salikers would have their fines waived. Non-registered Salik users would still be whacked. Motorists who'd registered with Salik still fumed and demanded refunds of all the Salik tolls they'd paid, in blogs and newspaper letter pages.
The RTA also said motorcyclists would be completely exempt from any Salik charges until 31 December 2007, whether registered or not. Any motorcyclists who have paid a fine can fill in a form at the RTA to claim them back. The RTA still didn't say where motorcyclists should stick their Salik tags ... some motorists had a suggestion though ...

Monday 10 December 2007 - Salik expansion again

Emirates Business 24/7, a new UAE business newpaper launched 09 December 2007, reports that the Salik system is due to expand, based on comments from an anonymous RTA official that an expansion was under review. Which sounds the same as what was reported in November 2007.
The newspaper report says electronic Salik toll gates will be installed on Al Khail Road, Al Ittihad Road, Business Bay Bridge, Emirates Road, Maktoum Bridge, and in Shindagha Tunnel by 2009. The following year, more Salik tollgates will be installed on additional Dubai Creek crossings that are still to be built.

Saturday 08 December 2007 - Emirates Islamic Bank provides Salik payment

Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB) now allows their customers to make Salik payments at branches, online, and via ATM machines. At least, they say they do.

Wednesday 28 November 2007 - RTA makes no comment on Salik expansion

Arabian Business asked the RTA about the Salik expansion rumours and received a "no comment".

Sunday 25 November 2007 - Salik expansion coming?

A UAE Arabic newspaper carried a report that an expansion of the Salik toll gates was being studied with additional toll points possibly located at Business Bay Bridge, the Floating Bridge, Maktoum Bridge, Shindagha Tunnel. The report was based on an internal RTA letter to their Salik committee asking them to study and report on a Salik phase 2 proposal. The RTA would not comment on the story.
In August 2007, the Arab News (a Saudi based paper) carried a story of Salik expansion rumours, which the RTA denied at the time.

Wednesday 21 November 2007 - Dubai Taxis to ask for Salik exemption

Emirates Today reported that the Dubai Taxi company CEO, Abdul Aziz Malik, was going to ask the RTA to exempt taxis from Salik tolls on the basis that empty taxis are still charged, so they cause traffic congestion by trying to avod Salik toll gates. He said an exemption would fit with the RTA's motto of "smooth and safe transport for all". Dubai Taxi is part of the RTA, so you'd expect Mr Malik probably won't be put on hold for too long when he makes the call.

Monday 19 November 2007 - School buses charged Salik tolls after all

The Khaleej Times reports that school buses are being charged Salik tolls after all, despite the RTA originally saying that school buses would be exempt. The newspaper report quoted an RTA official saying that the matter was under investigation and a decision would be made on whether or not to exempt school buses, but didn't explain why the RTA had reneged on their original exemption.

Saturday 06 October 2007 - Salik still having teething troubles and how to use Salik for free

The Gulf News successfully tested a theory that pressing a 1 dh coin against the Salik Tag resulted in no Salik toll fee being charged (and then advised motorists not to do this). The RTA said that if a toll fee is not read from the Salik tag, the number plate of the vehicle is recorded and the fee will be charged.
Salik fines have been waived for the first 15 days apparently, rather than the first week as reported 28 Sep 2007.
Some motorists without Salik tags say they have not seen any fines recorded. The RTA says all violations have been recorded, but how long it takes for a fine to end up with the driver is unknown, and the system may be suffering from technical glitches.

Friday 28 September 2007 - Salik fines waived

The head of the RTA, Mattar Al Tayer said Salik fines have been waived for motorists who didn't have Salik tags in the first week of operation - "We have waived all the fines imposed on motorists who used Salik gates without Salik tags during the first week of July," (reported in the Gulf News).

Thursday 20 September 2007 - Salik online recharge system available

The RTA says that Salik users can now add credit to their Salik accounts online using a credit card, e-dirhams, or via direct debit from your bank account. Minimum recharge amount is 50 dhs.
Salik subscribers can also check their balance online, and number of toll gate crossings. Personal data can be updated and financial statements printed out.
Another option for checking accounts is through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system by dialling 800-72545.
All the above options are what Salik users are supposed to be able to do. There are, however, still complaints from some users that data is inaccurate ie credit top-ups not showing up, low credit warning messages being received despite having enough credit, and so on.

Wednesday 12 September 2007 - more traffic cones directing you to Salik toll gates

More of those traffic cones appeared on the Sheikh Zayed Road, after the Trade Center Roundabout in direction Garhood bridge - if you're in the left hand lanes, you're stuck there all the way to the Garhood bridge. This caught out a few motorists, forcing them to use the Salik toll gate.

Tuesday 11 September 2007 - Traffic jams are your fault

Continuing in the same vein as Salik account problems being your fault last month, the RTA has said traffic jams in Dubai (of which there were many this week) are your fault also, with Mattar Al Tayer, the RTA boss, saying "Some drivers deliberately ignore driving and traffic rules, others are just drunk, while some are illiterate and cannot read the variable road signs.This is our biggest problem in Dubai". The drunk driver comment might have been prompted by a car following some alcohol-inspired navigation and driving off the Floating Bridge a few days ago when it was closed. Mr Al Tayer also said that motorists on the Garhood Bridge are now happy after the introduction of Salik.
Garhood Bridge motorists this past week have been left scratching heads and looking for their reverse gear with several apparently confusing lines of cones on the Bur Dubai side leading drivers in directions they didn't want to go. Mr Al Tayer's point about illiterate drivers appears to have some validity, since large signs over the Sheikh Zayed Road do say "Keep Left" for the Garhoud Bridge.
Dedicated public bus lanes are due to be introduced by the end of 2007 (there was more news of this sometime in August).

Thursday 06 September 2007 - Traffic congestion will disappear "soon"

A Gulf News report has the Head of the RTA, Mattar Al Tayer, reassuring us that traffic jams in Dubai will soon be a thing of the past, and asks residents to be patient. For another 3 to 4 years while road development is in progress.
The new Waterbus service is reported to be under-utilised with only 10% occupancy during the day.

Monday 03 September 2007 - Salik works so well, everyone uses it

A problem that was forecast to occur, has come to light as more schools open up this week after the summer holidays. So many people have started to use Salik, that there are traffic jams on the Salik routes. The Garhood Bridge was reported to be choked up yesterday. The RTA suggests parents send their children to school on school buses.

Sunday 02 September 2007 - Bus lanes and credit cards

Public buses may get dedicated Bus-Only lanes.
Not related to Salik, but another irritation for Dubai's motorists, is the news that EPPCO, EMARAT, and ENOC service stations (all the Dubai based ones) will add a surcharge for purchases made with a credit card. ADNOC remains free of surcharges, at least for now.

Archive of older news has been moved to the Salik Dubai news page.

Using the Salik toll system

Open a Salik account, put the Salik sticker on your car windshield (inside!), charge up your Salik account like a prepaid phone, and every time you drive past a toll point, the toll fee will be automatically deducted from your account.

Remember to bring a photocopy of your car registration when applying for your Salik tag. Salik tag costs 100 dhs.

Go to a branch of Dubai Islamic Bank or Emirates Bank, or an ENOC, EMARAT or EPPCO service station to open a Salik account.
Fill in an application form to open a Salik account. The Salik application form is available at locations given above, also online at the Salik website but don't bother downloading it, since you'll have to fill in another one when you buy your Salik kit.
You need your car registration card and a photocopy (some/all locations will not make a copy for you), and money - 100 dhs to get a Salik tag for your car which includes 50 dhs worth of toll credit.
If you own more than one car, you register them on the same account but you still need to buy additional tags for each car.
Your mobile number is needed so Salik can send you a text message or sms with your account number, and when your credit is running low.
Stick the tag carefully on your windscreen by following the instructions in the Salik package (or get them from the Salik website, www.salik.ae), and you're all set to go. Usually the Salik tag should be stuck just below where the rear view mirror is attached (mount the Salik tag on the inside of the windscreen). Clean the glass first. Tinted windows will apparently prevent correct reading of the Salik tag. BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, and Rolls Royce Phantom owners have to follow special instructions for Salik tag location - see the Salik website (www.salik.ae) for a document with the correct location of Salik sticker, or phone 800-SALIK (72545).
When credit for Salik runs low, you'll be sent an sms reminder to top it up - once at 30 dhs, once at 20 dhs, and once at 0 dhs. Recharge/top up your Salik tags at the bank or petrol stations listed in item 1, also at bank ATMS, also online eventually (at customers.salik.ae). Salik / RTA will send a PIN and account number to your mobile phone for online access ... eventually.

How to avoid paying the Salik Road Toll

Well, one method is simply not to bother with the Salik tag. You won't get stopped from driving through the toll gates, but you will collect fines that will catch up with you when you register the car and/or leave the country, or sooner if the Police/RTA decide it's worthwhile to chase you. This method is not recommended.
Catch a bus.
Use someone else's car (if it's without a Salik tag, it doesn't matter since it's the owner that gets fined).
Drive a route that doesn't go past the Salik Road Toll. To get across Dubai Creek using a different route than the Garhood / Garhoud Bridge with its Salik toll point, try:

Al Shindagha Tunnel near the mouth of the creek - usually very busy.
Maktoum Bridge from Bur Dubai to Deira - usually very busy and more so after the introduction of Salik. Congestion should decrease when the Floating Bridge opens.
The Floating Bridge - near Maktoum Bridge, was supposed to be open by the time Salik kicked off but was delayed a couple of weeks and opened on 16 July 2007. The crossing is from Oud Metha Road / Riyadh St between Creek Park and Dubai Courts, to Al Ittihad Road near Deira City Center. Hours of operation 6am to 10pm.
Business Bay Bridge - new in 2007 and relatively uncongested.
Ras Al Khor Road and Al Khail Road - join Emirates Road and go around the back end of the creek. Not too bad but Emirates Road can get choked up, especially closer to Sharjah at peak hours.

Once you're on the Garhood Bridge coming from Sharjah direction, you cannot avoid paying the Salik toll charge - there is an exit before the main Salik toll point after the Garhoud bridge but it has its own Salik gate.
To avoid the Mall of the Emirates toll point, exit Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) at junction 5 if coming from Jebel Ali, or junction 4 if coming from Dubai direction. To get around the Salik Toll Station between junctions 4 and 5, either use Al Sofouh Road (Al Sufouh Rd) on the coastal side of the SZR, or Al Mafraq Road on the desert side of SZR. Bear in mind that you might use 4 dhs worth of petrol for the extra distance covered, and you'll be stuck in a traffic jam with all the other Salik dodgers.
XPRESS4ME on 28 June 2007 had a handy guide and map of alternative routes to the Salik toll road.

Other Salik information

Salik tags cannot be removed without damaging them which means you only get one shot at mounting the Salik tag in the correct place. Don't try and install it when driving over speed bumps...
Window tinting - The RTA say that Salik doesn't work if your windscreen is tinted eg with V-Kool, but there are mixed reports from drivers with some saying their Salik tags weren't read, and others saying they were.
Motorcycles are supposed to sign up and pay Salik road tolls and the RTA were trying to figure out where motorcyclists should attach their Salik tags if their motorcycle doesn't have a windscreen. They didn't suggest the helmet as a Salik tag location, and as of 29 June 2007 appeared to have given up trying to find a solution for motorcyclists. Although Wheels (a UAE car magazine) managed to obtain a comment from the RTA saying "However, they don't have to affix the Salik tags if the bike doesn't have a windshield. The system will deduct the toll by identifying the number plate."
Manual toll payment of the 4 dh fee in cash through a separate lane, if you don't have or want a Salik tag, was reported in early June 2007 to be available. However, there are no such lanes at the Salik road toll locations.
Salik timings are scheduled to be 24 hours per day although there was some discussion about reducing that.
Penalties for driving through a toll point without enough credit, or without an active Salik account, will be a fine of at least 50 or 100 dhs (increases daily to 400 dhs per day for repeat offences) which will be waived if you sign up or credit your account within 2 days of the offence. Balances can be checked at salik.ae or by calling 800-72545. You'll receive an sms if you collect a fine says the RTA.
Taxis are not exempt from the Salik road toll - if you're a passenger, you'll have to pay the fee. Taxis are not subject to the 24 dhs per day toll cap, according to the RTA in July 2007.
Rental cars also have to pay the fee - rental car companies should have an arrangement where they can bill you for the Salik toll charges incurred during your visit. They may charge you an extra 10-25% administrative fee. For long term rentals and lease vehicles, you may have to pay the additional administrative fee, or install a Salik card yourself. Ask what the arrangements are before renting or leasing.
Visitors to Dubai with their own cars have to obtain a Salik tag and pay Salik tolls (said Mattar Al Tayer, the Executive Director of the RTA in an interview with the press in June 2007).
Vehicles exempted from paying Salik toll charges are Public and School buses, ambulances, police and military vehicles, and vehicles belonging to Special Needs institutes.
If you sell your car, notify Salik to deactivate or deregister the Salik tag. The new owner has to buy a new Salik Tag. Selling your car with an active Salik tag may sound like a clever bit of marketing but you're not supposed to, and remember that as it's your name registered, you'll probably cop all the fines the new owner collects since s/he has no incentive to top up the Salik card.
Charges for the Salik toll card are 50 dhs for new, replacement or transfer. If you lose the Salik card, or damage it, or want to put it on a new car, you have to buy a new one. The RTA won't give replacement Salik cards for no charge.
Cancellation is 10 dhs (which you have to do if selling your car), and to add an extra insult, they don't refund you any leftover credit.
Fines are 50 dhs - 10,000 dhs depending on the offence (the big one is for "card manipulation", otherwise it's 50-400 dhs).
Contact the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority Dubai) for official information about Salik - they are the organisation in charge of implementing Salik. Tel 800-SALIK (72545) - Arabic, English, Urdu speakers available.

Visit the Salik Road Toll discussion for more questions, answers and news. Add your comments, ask your questions.