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

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2025

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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

Dubai-born HOP Events targets 25 cities in global expansion

Published

3 days ago

October 2, 2026

Staff Reporter

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A Dubai-founded events company is planning to expand into 25 cities worldwide over the next two years, as it looks to build an international business around music and culture.

HOP Events, founded by Dubai-based entrepreneur Kalpesh Kinariwala, said it aims to stage more than 250 events a year across 75 venues and arenas, reaching more than one million people annually.

Its planned expansion includes London, New York, Doha and Singapore, alongside its existing base in Dubai.

The company has organised concerts featuring artists including A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Lucky Ali, Nancy Ajram, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and sitarist Rishab Sharma.

HOP now plans to broaden its programme beyond large-scale concerts, with storytelling, art and other cultural events forming part of its international expansion.

“Our goal has never been to build an events company,” Kinariwala said. “We’re building a platform where culture becomes a catalyst for connection.”

The plans were outlined after a recent Dubai event featuring storyteller Laksh Maheshwari.

HOP is the cultural arm of PANTHEON ACR, a Dubai-based venture founded by Kinariwala with interests spanning art, culture and real estate.

Kinariwala said Dubai’s position as a city with a large international population provided the starting point for HOP’s expansion.

The company said its programme over the next 24 months would feature both established international performers and emerging creative talent, alongside storytelling and other cultural experiences.

“The moments people carry with them for years are rarely the biggest,” Kinariwala said. “They are the moments that make us feel connected, inspired, understood or part of something larger than ourselves.”

Announcements

New-look Abu Dhabi T10 raises the stakes with star-studded 2026 draft; Naseem, Hales, Amir and Shanaka among top picks

Published

3 days ago

October 2, 2026

Sudhashree Dash

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The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Player Draft saw a host of international stars find new homes ahead of the upcoming season, with Naseem Shah (Royal Desert Champions), Noor Ahmad (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Amir (UAE Bulls), Alzarri Joseph (Arabian Aces), Dasun Shanaka (Yas Lions), Shadab Khan (UAE Bulls), Kusal Perera (Emirates Eagles) and Chris Jordan (Royal Desert Champions) among the headline names selected.

The Draft also saw several of the UAE’s leading players join the six franchises, underlining the growing depth of local talent in the reimagined Abu Dhabi T10. Alishan Sharafu (Arabian Aces), Aayan Afzal Khan (Royal Desert Champions), Muhammad Waseem (Royal Desert Champions), Haider Razzaq (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Bulls), Ansh Tandon (Yas Lions) and Luqman Faisal (Emirates Eagles) were among the prominent UAE selections.

Awais Ali Shah (United Tigers), Dhruv Parashar (Royal Desert Champions), Harshit Kaushik (Emirates Eagles), Wali Muhammad (UAE Bulls), Adithya Shetty (United Tigers), Haider Ali (Yas Lions) and Vriitya Arvind (Arabian Aces) were also among those selected, further strengthening the UAE presence across the six squads.

The Arabian Aces will have plenty of experience and firepower in their ranks, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings and Imran Tahir among their notable draft selections. Alzarri Joseph, Richard Gleeson, Dwayne Pretorius and Dunith Wellalage add further bowling and all-round options to a squad that already featured Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone as pre-draft signings. The Aces also secured further local and emerging talent to complement their international core.

The Emirates Eagles’ batting stocks feature Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Hassan Nawaz and Kusal Perera, while David Wiese and Chris Green offer valuable all-round options. Noor Ahmad, Rehan Ahmed and Ali Raza further strengthen the bowling department, complementing pre-draft signings Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Trent Boult.

The Royal Desert Champions assembled a formidable side led by the likes of Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Chris Jordan. Muhammad Waseem, Brandon King and Jayanth Liyanage add batting depth, while Gulbadin Naib and Keemo Paul provide all-round ability. The side already had Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt and Sherfane Rutherford on board as pre-draft signings.

The UAE Bulls have an abundance of power-hitting options through Andre Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khwaja Nafay, Max Bryan and Azam Khan, with Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah offering all-round depth. Muhammad Amir and Nuwan Thushara add to the bowling attack, while the franchise had already secured Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Romario Shepherd before the Draft. Scotland’s Bradley Currie also joins the squad.

The United Tigers have established international experience with Azmatullah Omarzai, Odean Smith and Mahedi Hasan offering all-round options, while Abbas Afridi and Sufyan Moqim strengthen the bowling resources. The Tigers’ pre-draft haul comprised the Pakistani trio of Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf.

The Yas Lions have plenty of experience with James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Tom Moores and Akeal Hosein among their notable selections. Eshan Malinga and Obed McCoy build their bowling strength, while the Lions had already secured Jason Holder, David Willey and Andries Gous before the Draft. Netherlands’ Aryan Dutt also joins the squad as their Associate Member selection.

Arabian Aces: Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Arfan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Richard Gleeson, Sam Billings, Paul Walter, Alzarri Joseph, Imran Tahir, Salman Irshad, Quentin Sampson, Dwaine Pretorius, Vriitya Arvind, Ibrahim Masood, Amshi De Silva, Dunith Wellalage

Emirates Eagles: Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal, David Wiese, Noor Ahmad, Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Akif Javed, Hassan Nawaz, Rehan Ahmed, Ali Raza, Chris Green, Harshit Kaushik, Hilal Afghan, Toby Albert, Kusal Perera

Royal Desert Champions: Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Luke Wood, Gulbadin Naib, Brandon King, Janith Liyanage, Keemo Paul, Dhruv Parashar, Raizal Nadir, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, Chris Jordan

UAE Bulls: Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Romario Shepherd, Muhammad Rohid, Tahir Zaman, Aneurin Donald, Muhammad Amir, Andre Fletcher, Khwaja Nafay, Nuwan Thushara, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Max Bryant, Azam Khan, Wali Muhammad, Uddish Suri, Bradley Currie, Shadab Khan

United Tigers: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Zeeshan Naseer, Awais Ali Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sufyan Moqim, Abbas Afridi, Odean Smith, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Noor ul Rahman, Shamim Hossain, Adithya Shetty, Noor Ullah Ayubi, Paul van Meekeren, Yasin Patel

Yas Lions: Jason Holder, David Willey, Andries Gous, Ajay Kumar, Ansh Tandon, James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Eshan Malinga, Karim Janat, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tom Moores, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Obed McCoy, Kamil Pooran, Haider Ali, Masood Gurbaz, Aryan Dutt, Akeal Hosein

Announcements

UAE petrol prices rise again: New fuel rates for October revealed

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Filling up in the UAE is about to get more expensive, with petrol and diesel prices rising across all categories from October 1.

UAE motorists are set to feel another pinch at the pump this month after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel rates for October 2026.

The increase means drivers will pay more per litre across every petrol category, while diesel prices have also moved higher.

Fuel prices for October

The new rates will take effect from Thursday, October 1. Here’s what motorists will pay:

Super 98: Dh4.40 per litre
Special 95: Dh4.28 per litre
E-Plus 91: Dh4.21 per litre
Diesel: Dh4.80 per litre

That means Super 98 rises by 60 fils per litre, while Special 95 and E-Plus 91 increase by 59 and 60 fils respectively. Diesel is up by 50 fils per litre.

How much more will a full tank cost?

For motorists, the increase could quickly add up over the course of a month.

For example, filling a 50-litre tank with Super 98 will cost Dh220 in October, compared with Dh190 in September, a difference of Dh30 per fill-up.

A 50-litre tank of Special 95 will cost Dh214, compared with Dh184.50 previously.

For E-Plus 91, the same tank will cost Dh210.50, up from Dh180.50.

Diesel drivers filling 50 litres will pay Dh240, compared with Dh215 in September.

Why are fuel prices changing?

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel rates at the end of each month, with prices linked to movements in global energy markets.

UAE fuel prices have experienced notable fluctuations this year. Rates fell in July after several consecutive monthly increases, before moving higher again in August and September.

The latest increase comes amid continued volatility in global and regional energy markets.

What does this increase mean for household budgets?

For people who drive every day, higher fuel prices can have an effect beyond the cost of a single trip to the petrol station.

Commuters, families and businesses that rely heavily on road travel may see their monthly transport expenses rise, particularly if they fill up frequently.

Even a relatively small increase per litre can become more noticeable when multiplied across several refuelling trips over the month.