Parking at Dubai Mall is set to undergo a significant transformation as toll gate operator Salik joins forces with Emaar Malls.
The collaboration aims to implement a cutting-edge, barrier-free parking management system at the iconic Dubai Mall, enhancing customer experience and efficiency. The system is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2024.
Salik’s Role and Responsibilities:
Under the agreement, Salik will design, finance, develop, install, and manage the innovative parking system. Simultaneously, Dubai Mall will provide the necessary local infrastructure, office space, and car park maintenance for the project.
With over 13,000 parking spaces, this venture marks Salik’s first foray into diversifying its revenue beyond toll gates.
Fee Collection Mechanism:
The automatic fee collection for ticketless parking will utilize vehicle plate recognition technology. Cameras strategically placed at entry and exit points will capture the plate number, record the entry time, and calculate the parking duration. Although specific charges are yet to be defined by Emaar Malls, fees will be deducted from the Salik user accounts.
Introduction to Salik:
Salik, Dubai’s automatic road toll collection system, was established in 2007 by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Meaning ‘seamless mobility’ in Arabic, Salik enables motorists to navigate Dubai highways without manual toll payments.
Salik operates eight toll gates with over two million registered active accounts and four million active vehicles, holding exclusive rights until 2071 under a 49-year concession agreement with RTA.
Expansion Plans and Growth Potential:
Having successfully streamlined road tolls, Salik ventures into the private parking market in Dubai, targeting over 50,000 parking spaces.
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik Company PJSC, expresses anticipation for the initiative’s success at Dubai Mall and envisions extending the offering to various locations across the city.
Current Parking Scenario in Dubai:
While other malls and hypermarkets implement parking charges, Dubai Mall’s approach to Salik distinguishes itself with a barrier-free system.
Mall of the Emirates, for instance, has a tiered parking fee structure, with free parking for the first four hours on weekdays and varying fees after that.
Dubai Mall’s shift to a Salik-based system aims to enhance convenience and reduce visitor congestion.
