Dubai’s motoring community is buzzing, and not with excitement. Come November 24, two new Salik toll gates will be switched on, prompting motorists to start recalculating their commuting expenses. With these new additions – one on the Business Bay Crossing along Al Khail Road and another on Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif streets – the total number of toll gates in the city now reaches a solid ten, impacting both frequent commuters and casual drivers.
The new tolls are strategically placed to help streamline traffic across these busy routes, ensuring smoother flow during peak times. But while the intentions are clear, the financial impact is a top concern for drivers. Daily commuters, delivery services, and even residents on their everyday errands will soon feel the effects of these tolls, which are set at AED 4 per crossing. For someone passing through a couple of toll gates on a round trip each workday, this quickly adds up, leaving many to wonder just how much it will impact their monthly budget.
For those heavily relying on these routes, the math is starting to hit home. Two tolls a day, five times a week, already adds a significant amount to commuting expenses. Families with multiple vehicles and professionals using these roads frequently for business purposes are now on high alert, looking for creative solutions to manage the additional costs. Carpooling discussions, ride-sharing plans, and public transportation options are hot topics, as the added cost has some residents looking to cut expenses wherever they can.
But the new gates also align with Dubai’s long-term vision of promoting alternative transport solutions, encouraging more people to consider using public transport options and reduce reliance on private cars. Officials are hopeful that, while the toll gates may initially seem like an extra burden, they will eventually contribute to better traffic management, with fewer vehicles congesting these major roads.
Only time will tell if these gates help achieve a more balanced transportation network. For now, Dubai’s drivers are left to do some serious number-crunching, bracing themselves for the countdown to November 24, when these tolls go live and the daily drive through the city shifts gears.