Change of Dubai’s Toll Gate Policy in the Offing?
A major transformation in tariffs for city motorists is possible.
Dubai might soon have to take a leaf out of book of other world class cities where toll gate pricing is concerned. Indeed, the Middle Eastern hub’s standard toll gate fare of AED 4 seems to be losing momentum as well as its intended impact on moderating traffic.
Places like Stockholm and Singapore, among others, have long been adhering to a system of “dynamic pricing”. This means that the toll fare varies according to the time of day and the volume of traffic. Typically, this signifies that rates are higher during rush hours and for specially designated lanes. Such a change might also encourage more flexibility in driving timings and increased carpooling.
CEO of Salik, which is the firm that runs Dubai’s toll operations - Ibrahim Alhaddad – says that in accordance with this strategy “there will be exemption of tariff during certain times of the day.” Mr. Alhadda added on an Investor Conference Call on Wednesday, August 28th, that his company will undertake a thorough study of the financial and other implications of the prospective move. Salik will then pass on the same to the city’s Executive Council for sanctioning.
According to official sources, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) had pitched the idea and mulled over the same earlier this year. However, the optimising new policy is yet to come into effect. With cars in Dubai still more popular than metro trains and public buses, a change in regulating motorist traffic is badly needed... and a “dynamic” change at that.
