Announcements

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

Published

1 year 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

UAE announces early spring break for all educational institutions

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Team Headline

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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

2 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Michael Gomes

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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

The Plaza’s launch comes as Uptown Dubai moves into its next development phase.

Currently under construction:

Two commercial towers (23 and 17 storeys)
62,000 square metres of additional Grade A commercial and retail space

Once complete, the full district will deliver:

538,000 square metres total gross floor area
232,000 square metres dedicated to Grade A commercial office space

What’s in it for residents

For professionals, it means:

More international events are hosted locally
Increased networking and industry exposure
Expanded commercial opportunities

For residents, it offers:

Open-air concerts and cultural events
Community experiences within a premium urban setting
A new social hub integrated into Dubai’s skyline

Announcements

Sheikh Mohammed appoints Abdulla bin Damithan to lead Dubai Ports body as DP World names new CEO

Published

3 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

Michael Gomes

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In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued a decree appointing Abdulla bin Damithan as Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

The appointment places one of the UAE’s most experienced trade and logistics leaders at the helm of one of Dubai’s most strategically important economic entities.

A Veteran in Ports and Global Trade

Abdulla bin Damithan brings more than two decades of experience in ports, logistics and international trade. He currently oversees DP World’s operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, managing ports, economic zones, marine services and trade solutions.

He previously served as CEO and Managing Director of DP World UAE, where he led strategic growth across key regional markets. He oversees Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Bin Damithan joined DP World in 2001 and has since held several senior leadership roles, contributing to the company’s transformation into a global provider of smart trade and logistics solutions.

New Leadership Appointments at DP World

Separately, DP World confirmed the appointment of Essa Kazim as Chairman of its Board of Directors, alongside the appointment of Yuvraj Narayan as Group CEO.

Kazim currently serves as Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of Borse Dubai. He brings extensive expertise in financial and economic affairs, having held senior leadership positions across several national institutions.

Narayan, who joined DP World in 2004, has played a key role in leading strategic and transformational initiatives that strengthened the company’s global footprint.

Serving as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, Narayan has been instrumental in enhancing DP World’s financial resilience, operational efficiency and supply chain capabilities worldwide.