IndieG

Those of you that were complaining of the "London/Australian Salik"...........

Motorists will face increasingly widespread and expensive road-use charges – levied though the existing Salik (toll) system – as well as high parking and vehicle registration fees.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aims to increase use of public transport seven-fold over the next 12 years by encouraging motorists to use a new multibillion dirham, integrated mass transport system which includes water transport, taxis, buses and the Dubai Metro, due to open in September next year.

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20...731291557/1001


In the UK I presume that you can walk at least 15-20 minutes (bus stop/station to your destination) for most months of the year. Try doing that in Dubai between May and Oct.

Eeyore

Well, exactly. They honestly don't seem to be thinking about that.

Although TBH, I reckon they're really aiming at getting as many of the low-paid expats as possible off the roads. They wouldn't need to do much in the way of increasing charges to make driving uneconomic for the people on 3000dhs a month or less, and they can't afford to piss off the Western expats who consider a large 4x4 and cheap petrol to be theirs as of right.

ScotsExpat

Have heard a wee rumour running round the oil fraternity that DP are considering doubling the price at the pump...

Eeyore

They do seem to be hell-bent on adding to the inflationary pressures out here, don't they?

ScotsExpat

As with everything oil-related out here, its 'Make Hay While The Sun Shines'...........

shiva

well they do lose about 30% on every ltr. DP has bugger all left and has to make up capacity by buying from Abu Dhabi who screw them on the price.
Could happen but probably wont as AD is saying no increase and a situation where petrol is half the price in Abu Dhabi is just ridiculous. the federal govt will put the stops to that........then again the fedral govt. IS Abu Dhabi so were probably screwed in Dubai.


Also linked to Dewas request to the govt to dramatically increase prices as AD is screwing DEWA on its fuel oil prices.

IndieG

That will actually get as many of the low-paid expats as possible off Dubai.......

Travel by Metro is not going to be cheap and affordable for low-paid expats....

shiva

especially when the national reported yesterday that rice is now costing labourers 50% of their average salary of 700 aed per month

Border Reiver

I don't have a problem with paying more to drive around Dubai providing I'm getting something for my money- being able to park more easily and not spending hours sitting in traffic every day. However, I would also like to have a choice- they need to get the public transport sorted out (and at an affordable level for everybody, not just Western ex-pats) before they start trying to price people out of their cars.

At the moment running a car here is ridiculously and unsustainably cheap but it needs to be because there is no alternative.

Inselaffen

Already happens with wheat Flour. The Abu Dhabi state owned flour mill gets heavy subsidies but none of the other flour mills in the UAE get them.

Autonomy

Was talking about this very thing to Mr Taxi tonight... my suggestion to this was...

as taxis are (kind of) rightly predisposed to long journeys there needs to be 2 tiered taxis. There needs to be a per metro station grouping of taxis that charge a higher rate for local trips - i.e. 5-10 min trips in summer - they quickly locally drop and return, happy for another shortish trip. Other taxis take the longer, currently normal, trips. We pay more for the local convienience trips and the drivers make ok cash, where as the longer trips are as they are currently and those drivers also make enough....

If there is no change to the taxis we may as well all live on Beach Road and drive SUVs for all the difference the metro will make. There HAS to be quick and available transport or at least air con options to leave the stations...

Inselaffen

time for a fleet of air conditioned Sedan Chairs.

Autonomy

2010 - Inselaffen departing from the "Tatweer" Mall Of The Emirates station.

Inselaffen

the GTi version
looks like I'd better ask for a payrise

Desert Rat

Will anyone ride the metro