In addition to motorists and car owners, taxi riders are also prepared for a hike in fares by November following the announcement of two new Salik gates in Dubai. Some residents, meanwhile, are suggesting to take forward discussions on salary increases to cope with expected additional expenses.

On Friday, the Roads and Transport Authority announced the addition of two new toll gates - one at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and another at Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street.

Each time a taxi passes under a Salik gate, Dh4 is added to the final fare. The policy to automatically include Salik tolls in the taxi fare has existed since 2013. Dubai residents like Mario Gonsalves are aware of this – and for him, this means additional Dh8 in his commute along Al Khail Road to and from work daily. Starting in November, this will add around Dh160 to your monthly expenses.

Adding the two upcoming Salik gates will bring the total number of toll gates to 10. The existing toll gates are in Al Barsha, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Mamzar South, Al Mamzar North, Al Safa, Airport Tunnel, and Jebel Ali.

The most number of toll gates

Several tollgates can be found on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is the main arterial highway of the city.

Sharjah or Al Nahda residents who commute to Jebel Ali must pass through at least five toll-charging Salik gates, including Al Mamzar, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Safa, Al Barsha and Jebel Ali. And another five Salik gates on the return. A motorist who takes this route spends Dh40 daily on toll fees alone.

Those who take this route, however, will not worry about the new Salik in Al Safa. “Similar to Al Mamzar North and South, the upcoming Al Safa South will be linked with the existing Al Safa gate (Al Safa North), and motorists will be charged only once if they pass through the two gates within one hour in the same direction,” Salik Company PJSC (Salik), Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator announced on Friday.

Resident affected

In November, motorists who are still enjoying the toll-free road between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street will be affected.

This is what Muzaffar, a Dubai resident, is preparing. His Salik-free route via Business Bay Crossing along Al Khail Road from Al Nahda to Quoz will have soon have Dh8 extra cost daily. He is mulling taking alternative Dubai Creek crossings such as the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel, but this will mean extra driving and more petrol cost, not to mention the additional time on the road.

There is no way I can lie if I say that the additional Dh160 toll charges will impact our household budget. This extra expense is already equivalent to 10 bags of 5-kg rice at Dh15-16 per bag,” he said.

Salary increase discussion

In light of the expected additional expenses for residents, Filipino expatriate and social media influencer Ion Gonzaga told Khaleej Times that "it's about time salary increases are taken seriously to keep up with the increasing cost of living."

Many residents have recently renewed their rents following the announcement of new Salik gates. Rents are going up and so are prices of some basic commodities. As someone who works from home, this (new Salik) has no direct impact on my day-to-day life, but I feel for those who travel from home to work or school every day,” he noted.

Salik-free window

Other residents, meanwhile, are suggesting Salik-free window. “Salik should be made at least free after 11pm until 6am the following day; and also on weekends, when traffic is not heavy,” suggested Zahid Afridi and Sagar Ahmad, who also asked when Floating Bridge (which is free of charge) will become operational again.

“Companies can also consider giving employees more remote working days to somehow lessen the impact of going to work,” added Gonzaga.

Financial consultant Susan Francisco, meanwhile, gave advice to find ways to manage expenses. “We’ve been given fair warning and ample time to prepare for new toll fees, so, maybe we can think of ways to cut on some unnecessary things to compensate for the extra expenses. Oftentimes, motorists who are alone in their cars can also save money by taking public transportation," she said.