Motorists in Dubai certainly marked the date 1st of July. It is not a cause for celebration as Canadians in Dubai celebrated Canada day, but it is the day that the inevitable road toll was introduced in the road history of any GCC country.
Despite the blogs that screamed No to Salik, the lengthy, noisy complaints of the DJ’s in the morning radio and the hopeful online petition of the expat community, Salik pushed through.
So what was the verdict?
Day one of Dubai’s new toll system, Salik, brought mixed reactions, with some areas experiencing an easing in the flow of traffic and motorists in other locations reporting lengthy delays.
The RTA looked at the areas where Salik is implemented and patted their back for job well done. Look!
Left: Miraculously smooth flowing - Sheikh Zayed Road; Right: Garhoud Bridge
Meanwhile, motorists avoiding the toll system are banging their heads and cursing the RTA for implementing Salik a.k.a. “the tax that dare not speak its name”.
Left: Motorists pile up just outside the toll gates in Al Barsha near the Mall of the Emirates; Right: Taking alternative routes, cars heavily congested in Deira
Salik is on its first days so it’s too early to judge. But looking at the second set of pictures? You tell me.
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Is it early to judge???
Like anything else, I’m sure things will get better with time. Change is always a difficult thing. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in that traffic, though!
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