November 29, 2024

Dubai Real Estate Market: Resilient Growth with No Signs of Slowing Down

Starting at the end of January 2025, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will introduce a new variable pricing structure for Salik tolls during rush hours. This change, accompanied by updates to parking tariffs, aims to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance the driving experience.

Increased Salik Toll Rates

The RTA has confirmed that Salik tolls will rise from Dhs4 to Dhs6 during rush hours, which are defined as:

Morning:6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Evening:4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Tolls will remain at Dhs4 during off-peak hours, and drivers can pass toll gates for free between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Additionally, Sundays will have a flat toll rate of Dhs4, except during public holidays or major events.

To accommodate growing traffic, two new Salik gates will be installed:

Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road
Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road

These changes are part of a broader strategy to improve traffic flow and manage congestion on Dubai’s busiest roads.

Parking Tariff Updates

In addition to toll adjustments, the RTA has announced new parking rates effective from March 2025:

Premium Parking Spaces:
- Peak hours: Dhs6 per hour
- Off-peak hours: No changes
Public Parking Spots:
- Peak hours: Dhs4 per hour
- Free from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AMand on Sundays.

Notably, parking rates near the Dubai World Trade Centre will rise to Dhs25 per hour, effective February 2025.

Financial Performance Driving the Changes

The announcement comes on the back of Salik’s robust financial performance in 2024. The company reported:

Q3 2024 Profit:3 million (an 8.8% increase year-on-year)
Nine-Month Net Profit:Dhs822 million
Toll Revenue Growth:1%, reaching Dhs1.42 billion

These updates reflect the RTA’s commitment to leveraging data-driven insights and strong financial results to implement measures that benefit drivers across Dubai.

Why the Changes Matter