To the surprise of no one Since Salik was introduced in the summer, the RTA has inched towards some degree of public interaction. There has been a sharp increase in the number of RTA ads appearing in press and billboards. It is now advertising its complaints line: 800 9090, http://ecomplain.dubai.ae, or fax to 04 206 5532. It might have been nice to flag up some concept of dialogue before the next phase of expansion: a suggestion that public feedback might be taken into consideration.
The RTA says the roll-out is part of “a major push to get people to use public transport”, reports Emirates Business 24|7 - though neither the RTA nor the paper bother to provide details of how. No details on tolls either.
There is nothing wrong in admitting this is a tax on drivers. Sailk is expected to raise Dh600m this year; details of how this money is being spent on tackling the traffic problem would be welcome. A public face for the RTA would be ideal.
2 comments:
a suggestion that public feedback might be taken into consideration. LOL! Mattar Al Tayer listens to no-one - he is the Great Traffic Expert.
Actually, if Salik gates start to turn up all over this city, this could be incentive for people to start to turn to public transportation and decide not to buy a car when sitting on the fence about a purchase. Imagine, you're new to Dubai, and you learn that in addition to the cost of a new car, you'll have to pay a few thousand dirham a year in road tolls. So, why not skip the car, especially when the metro comes along.
I'm not talking about the better paid among us who will get a car no matter what. But think of the hundred's of thousands of under Dhs 6000 / month earners who might start to think its prudent to go without a car.
Look at Singapore, where even the better off can hardly afford cars, which get 100% plus surcharges slapped on.
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