RTA conducts workshop for fleet owners and operators

The workshop, which was attended by a big number of company representatives, comes as part of RTA's continuing efforts to spread awareness about Salik amongst fleet owners and operators, assist fleet customers in using the system smoothly, and provide them with the information required to comply with the new system.

Attendees discussed related items to the system including how it operates, Salik account set-up, tag distribution, account recharge, and the business rules for fleets. The three day sessions introduced special tools available only for fleet owners when signing up for Salik and opening corporate accounts.

The workshop also introduced information on managing corporate accounts such as opening and managing accounts for fleets of more than 10 cars explaining the payment methods, and recharging corporate accounts.

Salah El Deen Al Marzouki, Deputy Director of Trafiic Department and Director of ITS Department, said: "The RTA aims through the workshops to introduce the new system to fleet owners and operators which will cover a large sector of drivers in the emirate and spread awareness amongst them. The attendance was interactive during the workshop and the RTA has taken into consideration a number of suggestions made by company representatives to ease the process of implementing the system."

The system will be active and toll collection will commence in July 2007 with initial tolling points at Al Garhoud Bridge and along Sheikh Zayed Road near the Mall of the Emirates. In order to comply with the SALIK system, each fleet vehicle must have a SALIK tag installed on their windshield when they pass through one of these tolling points. RTA has recently launched the trilingual Salik Call Center Salik (800-72545) to answer public queries about Dubai's forthcoming toll system.

The toll system also fulfils the Dubai Strategic Plan 2007-2015, which stipulates that RTA will provide an integrated road and transportation system that will facilitate people and goods movement while improving safety levels. The plan requires the RTA to address current congestion problems and accommodate future needs by increasing the share of public transportation and reducing the dependence on private vehicles.