SHARJAH, 4 January 2005 — A proposal by Dubai authorities to impose a toll on all vehicles entering the emirate from other emirates has drawn protests from residents, both UAE nationals and foreigners alike.
If and when introduced, it will be the first such toll system in the Gulf Co-operation Council member states.
The toll, according to Dubai authorities, aims at alleviating the acute traffic crisis on the emirate’s roads during peak hours.
The number of vehicles on UAE roads has shot up in the last two years. It used to take around 25 to 30 minutes of drive from Sharjah to Dubai (a distance of 10 to 12 kilometers) during peak hours three years ago; today it takes at least one hour as established through practical studies.
Officials have been quoted as saying that the construction of the toll gate network — using both manual and electronic systems — will start in April and will be ready by January 2006. The minimum toll — during non-peak hours – is expected to be three dirhams; a higher toll will be levied depending on size of vehicle and timing of use of Dubai roads.
Toll gates will be installed on all roads leading to Dubai from northern Sharjah and southern Abu Dhabi (No other emirate neighbors Dubai). Dubai Municipality expects to collect between Dh300 million and Dh400 million a year from the toll system.
Reports said that four companies, American, Japanese, Spanish and Austrian, have been shortlisted to execute the project. Tenders are to be announced by Feb. 20, with the contract being awarded in April.
Plans call for the system to be up and running by January 2006. Traffic surveys have found that 350,000 vehicles travel to Dubai from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Residents say that the toll will add to the rising cost of living in the country.
Arguments are also heard that the toll might work against the interest of Dubai businesses since people might avoid going to Dubai for shopping after they return home to Sharjah and other northern emirates after work. Proponents of the move say that since roads need maintenance people who use them should also share the cost.
