New Salik Toll Gate on Business Bay Bridge Adds Costs for Commuters

The new Salik toll gate on Business Bay Bridge, which became operational at midnight on Sunday, has prompted Dubai commuters to reassess their travel budgets and routes.

Located on Business Bay Crossing, the gate affects key routes connecting Sharjah, northern Dubai neighborhoods, and major business hubs. While the toll is expected to improve traffic flow, residents are grappling with higher commuting costs and adjusting to the changes.

Increased Commuting Costs

For Faisal Ahmed, a 35-year-old accountant living in Garhoud and working in Business Bay, the new toll has significantly impacted his daily expenses.

“I didn’t have any Salik gates on my usual route, and sometimes I’d pay for just one gate. Now, with the Business Bay Bridge gate, I’m spending an extra AED 8 daily—over AED 200 monthly,” Ahmed explained.

Ahmed attempted to avoid the toll by using internal roads but found the resulting traffic and delays untenable. “It’s not worth the hassle. I’ll have to adjust my budget to account for this new expense,” he added.

Higher Taxi Fares

For taxi users, the additional toll has increased fares. Aysha Nida, an Al Twar resident who commutes daily to her Business Bay office, noticed her fare jump from AED 60 to AED 65 due to the new toll gate.

“I usually pass through the Airport Tunnel gate, but now I’m also charged for the Business Bay gate. It may seem minor, but for daily travelers, it adds up quickly and hits the monthly budget hard,” Nida said. She is exploring cost-cutting measures but feels constrained for now.

Navigation Apps Lag Behind

Other commuters were caught off guard by the toll’s activation. Syed Saeed, a resident of Al Nahda in Sharjah, unknowingly passed through the new gate while heading to Al Jaddaf.

“I rely on Google Maps and always select routes without tolls, but the app hadn’t updated to reflect the new gate. I ended up being charged for both my onward and return trips,” said Saeed.

He described the unplanned charges as an unexpected addition to his commuting expenses.

Impact on Daily Travel

The Business Bay Bridge toll is part of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to manage traffic congestion and encourage the use of public transportation. However, its activation has sparked mixed reactions as residents adapt to the added cost.

While some may alter their routes or explore alternatives, others acknowledge they will have to incorporate the higher expenses into their budgets as they navigate the new toll system.