DUBAI, 3 July 2007 — The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in Dubai has informed motorists that they will not be fined if they do not receive an SMS confirming their subscription to the new road toll, known as Salik. Many motorists had complained that they did not receive the SMS and feared that their subscriptions had not been activated. Others complained that the requisite toll tags available at gas stations were sold out in many cases.
Dubai started implementing the road toll system on Al-Garhoud Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday. Motorists have to buy the tags and stick them on their windshield. An amount of DH4 is deducted from their accounts automatically each time their vehicles pass through a tollgate. This toll is part of the emirate’s plan to reduce traffic congestion and generate revenue for developing the transit infrastructure.
Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of the RTAs Roads and Transport Authority Department, said that more than 400,000 tags were distributed as of yesterday to Adnoc, Epco/Enoc and Emarat petrol stations and Dubai Islamic and Emirates Bank. She said that the reason for the delay in sending the SMS was because of the last-minute rush to buy the tags. More than 200,000 Salik tags were sold during the three days prior to the launch of the new system, she said.
“This rush caused a delay in the confirmation SMS with the subscriber’s account number and PIN,” she said. “Even if motorists did not receive an SMS, the tag is automatically activated and becomes operational.” Bin Adai also said that motorists are not going to be fined if they are out of credit until they receive the SMS alert, and they can recharge after they receive the SMS.
When motorists buy their tags they will receive a welcome kit that has instructions on how to install the tag on the windshield of the car, how the system works and how the fee will be automatically charged using automatic sensors that read the tags. Other sensors will monitor traffic and capture vehicles that do not have the tags.
Bin Adai praised the response of motorists to the new road toll system.
