Dubai residents are feeling the financial pinch as escalating transportation costs, including higher Salik tolls, increased fuel consumption, and rising parking fees, make their daily commutes significantly more expensive.
As a result, many are reassessing their monthly budgets and looking for ways to mitigate the impact of these new costs.
Najeeb ul Huq, a sales executive at an insurance brokerage, shared that his daily commute has become a substantial strain on his finances.
“My commuting expenses have increased by up to Dh800 compared to February 2023,”
he said. Najeeb, who frequently travels across the city for corporate sales, has noticed a sharp rise in his fuel expenses, now averaging Dh1,300 per month, up from Dh700 to Dh900 last year. Despite relatively stable fuel prices, Najeeb attributes the increase to longer travel times and the added cost of passing through multiple Salik gates.
Interestingly, fuel prices have remained fairly consistent over the past year. Super 98 petrol, for instance, has only decreased slightly from Dh3.05 per liter in February 2023 to Dh2.73 per liter in March 2025. However, industry experts suggest that traffic congestion is exacerbating fuel consumption, with cars idling longer and consuming more fuel. Usman Jafari, a technician at Al Fawzan Auto Maintenance in Sharjah, explained that heavy traffic leads to frequent braking and acceleration, both of which contribute to increased fuel usage.
Alongside these rising fuel costs, many residents are also seeing the financial burden of variable Salik toll rates. Mohammed AbuNail, a marketing executive residing in Al Qusais, noted that his daily Salik expenses have nearly doubled.
“Previously, I paid Dh8 to Dh12 a day; now it’s over Dh24 daily,”
he shared. For Mohammed, this increase has pushed his monthly toll expenses past Dh550, significantly impacting his budget.
Anthony Kannupallalil, who commutes from Al Qusais to Jumeirah Lake Towers, also highlighted the surge in Salik costs.
“My daily Salik expense has jumped from Dh8 to as much as Dh24 depending on peak hours,”
he said, adding that this has resulted in an additional Dh240 in monthly toll costs.
The rising cost of maintaining a vehicle has added to the financial strain for some residents. MK, a media industry worker, cited increased fuel consumption due to heavy traffic, especially on routes towards Sharjah.
"Traffic jams lead to idling, which burns more fuel,"
MK said. He also noticed a sharp increase in his vehicle insurance premiums, from Dh700 to Dh1,400, reflecting the broader trend of rising transportation costs.
Parking fees, particularly during peak hours, are also becoming a concern for many.
“Next month, I’ll need to allocate a larger portion of my budget for parking charges,”
said Najeeb, whose client visits often take place during peak times. The cumulative effect of these rising costs has left many residents reassessing their financial plans.
With transportation costs continuing to climb, residents of Dubai are finding themselves under increasing financial strain, with no immediate relief in sight.
News Source: Khaleej Times
