Dubai Road and Parking Fee Hikes
Salik Road Toll and Parking Fee Increases - How Does It Affect Residents?
In recent times, many residents in Dubai have experienced a significant increase in everyday commuting costs. The introduction of new Salik toll gates, variable tariffs, and rising parking fees have led many to feel that their monthly transportation expenses have surged.
Rising Transportation Costs
For many residents, using a car is essential for commuting to work, handling official tasks, or attending business meetings. However, with the increased road tolls, longer travel times, and traffic jams, more people are facing monthly expenses that are much higher than they were a year ago.
For instance, a sales businessman calculated that his transportation costs have increased by as much as 800 dirhams monthly compared to February 2023. His fuel costs have also risen significantly, as a fill-up that used to last six days now only lasts four. This is not just due to increased traffic but also because his daily routes cross more Salik toll gates.
Why is More Fuel Consumed?
While fuel prices have remained relatively stable over the past year, many car owners and automotive experts have noted that increased traffic forces cars to consume more. A Dubai auto service technician explained that constant crawling in traffic jams, frequent braking, and accelerating contribute to higher fuel consumption.
Another factor mentioned was that if a car idles for extended periods with the engine running and the air conditioning on, it also significantly increases consumption.
Impact of Changing Salik Tolls
The transformation of the Salik toll system has also significantly impacted residents' costs. Due to variable pricing, passing through certain gates during peak times can be as much as twice as expensive as before.
A resident working in Business Bay stated that on their daily route, they must pass through at least two Salik gates, paying 6 dirhams for each during peak hours. While previously spending 250-300 dirhams monthly on tolls, they are now paying more than 550 dirhams, nearly doubling the cost.
Other residents have reported similar experiences. A commuter working in JLT mentioned that their daily Salik costs used to be around 8 dirhams, but now they can reach 18-24 dirhams depending on the time they set out. This represents an additional monthly cost of over 240 dirhams.
Increasing Vehicle Insurance and Parking Fees
The increased traffic affects not only fuel consumption and tolls but also vehicle insurance costs. A media industry worker highlighted that their annual insurance used to be between 700-800 dirhams, but this year they had to pay 1,400 dirhams.
Furthermore, the rise in parking fees is an additional burden. A salesperson mentioned that they mainly meet clients during peak hours, leading to higher parking costs. Due to the increase in fees, they anticipate having to set aside more funds for this purpose in the coming months.
How to Reduce Costs?
Although the new tolls and parking regulations have changed commuting habits in Dubai, several methods can help reduce costs:
Exploring Alternative Routes: Some residents are already trying to choose routes that avoid Salik gates, even if they are longer.
Using Public Transport: The Dubai Metro and public transport buses are increasingly popular among those who want to minimize the impact of tolls and fuel costs.
Carpooling: More people are organizing carpools with colleagues or acquaintances to split costs.
Using Electric or Hybrid Cars: The maintenance costs of electric vehicles can be lower.
Summary
Transportation costs in Dubai have recently increased significantly, primarily due to changing Salik toll charges, rising parking fees, and traffic jams. For residents, managing transportation costs is becoming an escalating challenge, but applying appropriate strategies can help reduce these expenses. Exploring alternative solutions, utilizing public transportation, and using more cost-effective vehicles can alleviate financial burdens in the long term.
