Abu Dhabi toll: What we know about the toll gates so far

Viral messages have been floating around on WhatsApp and other social media sites over the last couple of days, indicating that the toll gates system would soon be implemented in Abu Dhabi.
However, the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi is yet to make a formal announcement. Authorities are likely to officially announce the dates for the implementation of the new system this Thursday.
According to the messages circulating in English and Arabic languages, four toll gates will be implemented in Abu Dhabi during October at the following locations: Al Maqta bridge, Musafah bridge, Sheikh Zayed bridge and Sheikh Khalifa bridge.
The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had in 2017, issued a decree to introduce the toll traffic system to ease traffic on Abu Dhabi roads.
According to the decree, the Department of Transport (DoT) will be responsible for implementing the decree and determine areas to set up the toll gates, its timings and toll fees.
Law No. 17 of 2017 states that the DoT's Integrated Transport Centre's toll system will monitor every vehicle that passes through the designated tolled areas. The DoT will collect the toll fees.
The fifth article of the decree states: "Car owners should register in the new toll system and follow the rules and regulations specified by the DoT prior to passing through the tolled areas."
Ambulances, Armed Forces and Civil Defence vehicles, public buses and motorcycles will be exempted from the toll system.
If a person is found guilty of toll evasion, a fine not exceeding Dh10,000 will be imposed on the violator. The total fines should not exceed Dh25,000 one year after the first offence.
Dubai introduced Salik in 2007
Dubai had implemented an automated toll collection system called Salik in 2007. The scheme, which means 'clear and moving' in Arabic, consists of seven toll gates set up around the city.
Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) designed Salik as a free-flowing system, so that you do not need to stop your car at any point on a Dubai highway and pay manually. Everything is done automatically - there are no toll booths, barriers or physical gates, so you drive straight through the toll gate at normal highway speed.
Before 2013, there was a maximum charge of Dh24 per day per car, but since 2013 there has been no limit on how much a vehicle can be charged for passing through Salik per day. So, if you go through 10 gates in a single day, expect to be charged Dh40.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

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