Announcements

How Dubai’s latest Salik toll gates are shaping road traffic patterns

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

Spread the love

The long-term effects of increased toll gates and dynamic pricing in Dubai may take up to a decade to fully manifest, according to an expert. Dr. Khaled Alawadi, an associate professor of Sustainable Urbanism at Khalifa University, explained, “There is a link between adding toll gates, improved air quality, and fewer accidents.” However, he added that to effectively reduce the number of vehicles on the road, residents need reliable alternatives in public transportation. “This shift may take anywhere from ten to twenty years to be truly felt in the city,” he said.

While the full impact may take time, some local residents are already noticing changes in traffic patterns since Salik introduced dynamic pricing and added two new toll gates in late 2024.

On January 31, 2025, Salik implemented dynamic toll pricing, where drivers pay Dh6 during peak hours (morning and evening) and Dh4 during off-peak hours on weekdays. Mohammed Iqbal, who works in Dubai Media City and begins his day at 6 a.m., is one of those benefiting from the new pricing structure. “I pass through two Salik gates, but since I travel before 6am, I get free trips one way,” he said, adding that he’s pleased with the changes.

With the new pricing system, toll charges are waived from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., and on Sundays (excluding public holidays or special events), the fee is Dh4 throughout the day. “I’ve noticed an increase in traffic before 6 a.m. as people try to avoid the toll charges,” Mohammed observed.

Sanjana K.A., who lives in Karama, shared a similar experience. She recently benefited from the smooth traffic flow when running late to a meeting in Dubai Marina. “I used the Safa and Barsha toll gates, and the traffic was surprisingly smooth. I arrived ahead of schedule, but my Salik costs have gone up,” she said.

On the other hand, some areas are experiencing more congestion due to changes in traffic patterns caused by the toll system. Ayesha Nawaz, a resident of Dubai Creek Harbor, noted that there has been more traffic in her area as commuters avoid the toll on the Business Bay bridge. “In the evenings, the situation is tough. Many people take shortcuts through our community to reach Deira, Rashidiya, or Sharjah, resulting in longer travel times,” she said. “What used to take 5 to 8 minutes now takes 20 or more.”

Muhammad Anshah, from Jumeirah 1, also encountered heavy traffic on the first day of dynamic pricing. “It was a nightmare, with many drivers using Jumeirah roads to avoid the toll,” he said. “However, the traffic settled down after a day or two. It’s still heavier than before, but it’s not the same gridlock as on the first day.”

In November 2024, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) added two new toll gates in Business Bay and Safa, bringing the total to 10. The RTA’s aim is to encourage the use of public transportation and to redistribute traffic to alternative routes, such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Ras Al Khor Street, and Al Manama Street. Motorists are also encouraged to use alternative creek crossings like Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel.

Dr. Khaled noted that while Dubai has made significant progress in public transportation, more work is needed to reduce dependence on private vehicles. “My team studied mass transit systems in seven GCC cities, and Dubai ranked second, with nearly 78 percent of the population serviced by public transport,” he said. “Future metro lines are strategically positioned to accommodate a growing population.”

He also stressed the need for further studies on travel behavior, as understanding people’s travel patterns is key. “We lack data on how people travel. Some go between two fixed locations, while others make multiple stops throughout the day,” he explained. “If someone’s routine involves several destinations, they’re less likely to use public transport.”

Lastly, Dr. Khaled emphasized the importance of having transit zones located within 300 to 500 meters in high-density areas. “Given the hot climate, it’s not convenient to walk long distances. If there’s a transit zone just a seven-minute walk away, people are more likely to use public transportation,” he said, citing areas like Creek and Al Fahidi as examples where transit zones are well-placed and shaded.

Related Topics:#salik #saliktoll #toll #traffic #transport Dubai

Suhani Singh

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

Announcements

How UAE’s new banking plan will support businesses and individuals

Published

1 week ago

March 18, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

The Central Bank of the UAE has rolled out a new financial support package designed to keep banks strong and ensure they continue supporting and safeguarding the broader economy amid global and regional uncertainty.

The package was endorsed during a high-level board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the UAE leadership’s proactive approach to maintaining economic stability.

Built around five key pillars, the initiative is designed to provide banks with greater liquidity, enhanced flexibility, and temporary regulatory relief, ensuring they can continue to support businesses and individuals during uncertain times.

Under the new measures, banks will gain expanded access to liquidity, including the ability to utilise reserve balances and secure term funding in both dirhams and US dollars. This step is expected to keep credit flowing across key sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank has also introduced temporary easing of liquidity and funding requirements, giving financial institutions more room to continue lending. Capital buffer requirements will be relaxed as well, allowing banks to deploy excess capital to support economic activity.

Additionally, new provisions will offer greater flexibility in managing credit risk, including delaying the classification of certain loans affected by current market conditions—providing relief to borrowers facing temporary challenges.

Authorities emphasised that banks are expected to maintain lending and continue supporting customers as part of the UAE’s broader economic response strategy.

Despite global pressures, the UAE’s financial system has shown strong resilience. During its meeting, the Board confirmed that current market conditions have had no significant impact on the health of the banking sector or the efficiency of payment systems.

The Central Bank also highlighted the country’s robust financial position, with foreign exchange reserves exceeding AED 1 trillion and a strong monetary base. The UAE’s banking sector, valued at over AED 5.4 trillion, continues to demonstrate solid fundamentals.

With liquidity levels remaining high and reserves strong, the CBUAE reaffirmed its readiness to take further action if needed to protect financial stability and sustain economic growth.

Announcements

UAE announces early spring break for all educational institutions

Published

3 weeks ago

March 5, 2026

Team Headline

Spread the love

The Ministry of Education, along with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, on Wednesday, March 4, announced that the commencement of spring break for all academic institutions has been pushed forward to March 9, with the last working day to be March 6. Normal classes are scheduled to resume from March 30.

The academic calendar placed the spring break dates originally from March 16 and ending on March 29 which has now moved from March 9 to March 22. The change comes in light of the ongoing regional conflict, with the safety of students and staff at schools and universities as the highest priority.

Classes had transitioned to online learning at the beginning of this week as a precautionary measure for all students and staff, which was further extended up to the end of this week. Exams for students have also been shifted to a remote format, allowing them to complete their assessments safely from home.

Students, parents, and staff are advised to stay updated via official channels only, as the measures aim to protect the safety of all in the education sector.

(By Shura Kola)

Announcements

Inside The Plaza at Uptown Dubai: An open-air venue set to transform the city’s business and events scene

Published

1 month ago

February 20, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

In a city that thrives on bold ambition and global connection, a new landmark has quietly taken its place at the heart of Dubai’s business future.

DMCC has officially opened The Plaza at Uptown Dubai, a 21,000 square metre open-air destination designed to host everything from high-level corporate summits to large-scale concerts and community gatherings.

For UAE residents and business leaders alike, this isn’t just another development announcement. It’s a signal that Uptown Dubai is stepping into a new era.

A new gathering space in town

Strategically positioned at the centre of Uptown Dubai, The Plaza physically connects the iconic Uptown Tower with the district’s wider commercial and residential community.

Designed to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, the venue features advanced staging, lighting and digital display infrastructure, enabling year-round programming and rapid event turnover.

For Dubai’s fast-moving corporate ecosystem, that means seamless hosting of:

Global trade conferences
Finance and technology forums
Industry expos
Cultural performances
Community celebrations

In a city known for world-class event venues, The Plaza adds something different: scale, accessibility and integration within a thriving business district.

For UAE residents, the venue offers more opportunities for networking, collaboration and global visibility without leaving the city.

Next business hub taking shape