Salik Company PJSC, the exclusive toll gate operator in Dubai, has officially announced the addition of two new toll gates in strategic locations. These toll gates will be situated at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, positioned between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has formally entrusted Salik with the installation of these toll gates, aiming to enhance traffic flow and alleviate congestion on critical routes in Dubai. The selection of these locations is based on meticulous traffic movement studies conducted by the RTA, with the primary goal of optimizing traffic distribution and reducing congestion by diverting some traffic to alternative routes with higher capacity. This strategic move is geared towards creating a smoother and more efficient travel experience for all motorists in Dubai.
In a significant development, Salik Company PJSC will activate its two latest toll gates in Dubai starting November this year, effectively increasing the total number of Salik toll gates from eight to ten. The existing toll gates are strategically positioned in Al Barsha, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Mamzar South, Al Mamzar North, Al Safa, Airport Tunnel, and Jebel Ali.
Salik utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, where each vehicle passing through a toll gate triggers the detection of the Salik sticker tag, automatically deducting a Dh4 toll fee from the motorist’s prepaid toll account. Notably, the newly introduced Al Safa South gate will be seamlessly linked with the existing Al Safa gate (Al Safa North). Motorists passing through both gates within one hour in the same direction will only incur a single toll charge.
In a move to diversify its revenue streams, Salik Company PJSC revealed plans in December last year to take charge of parking operations at Dubai Mall by the third quarter of 2024. With over 13,000 parking spaces, the system will employ automatic fee collection for ticketless parking, utilizing vehicle plate recognition. This barrier-free parking system will leverage the same automatic number plate recognition and RFID technology employed by Salik for tag tracking. Cameras will capture plate numbers upon entry and exit, with the system calculating parking time for seamless fee deduction. While specific charges are pending definition by Emaar Malls, fees will be automatically deducted from the Salik user account. Salik Company’s strategic moves, including the introduction of new toll gates, led to a 5.2% surge in the company’s stock, contributing to a 0.7% increase in Dubai’s main index on Friday.