Introduction
Following the footsteps of Dubai and its implementation of the Salik toll gate system in 2007, the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi announced plans to introduce an electronic toll gate system in the coming months. This system is set to launch on October 15, 2019, featuring four toll gates located throughout the emirate at:
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge
- Al Maqta Bridge
- Musaffah Bridge
Objectives of the System
According to the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, the toll gate system aims to reduce congestion in the city and encourage drivers to opt for integrated and sustainable transportation methods, such as:
- Public transport
- Carpooling
- Use of electric vehicles exempt from toll fees for two years
Toll Fees
The toll fees for crossing the gates will be as follows:
- 4 AED during peak hours (from 7 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM)
- 2 AED during regular hours on all days except Fridays
- On Fridays and other official holidays, the fee will remain 2 AED for the entire day
Charges will be calculated 24 hours a day, with a daily maximum fee of 16 AED per vehicle.
Vehicle Registration Process
Unlike the Salik system in Dubai, vehicles crossing the Abu Dhabi toll gates will be identified by their license plates, eliminating the need for a sticker on the windshield. All road users will be required to open a prepaid online account or use electronic payment machines distributed throughout the emirate.
All vehicles registered in Abu Dhabi will automatically receive an account on August 30, 2019, at no additional cost. Account holders will receive an SMS containing their username and password, allowing them to add any additional vehicles to their registered account. For vehicles registered in other emirates, owners must register them in the system before crossing the toll gates in Abu Dhabi.
Fines Related to Toll Gate Crossing
Fines for crossing the toll gate with an unregistered vehicle after a ten-day grace period will be as follows:
- 100 AED for the first day
- 200 AED for the second day
- 400 AED for the third day
- With a maximum fine of 10,000 AED
Vehicles exempt from the fees include ambulances, armed forces, civil defense, public buses, school buses, police vehicles, Ministry of Interior vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and taxis registered in Abu Dhabi.
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