Abu Dhabi to resume road tolls from Jan. 2

Our Correspondent

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi has called upon vehicles owners to set up and activate their accounts online with “Darb” Toll Gate System, through the website or “Darb” mobile app.

The ITC has also invited users to ensure that their vehicles are registered, with sufficient wallet balance to avoid fines. The vehicle registration fee in the Darb account is AED100 per vehicle, of which AED50 will be credited as balance in the registered account.

The Toll Gate System will be activated from January 2, 2021, at four gates located on the bridges leading to Abu Dhabi city – the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge, Al Maqta Bridge and Mussafah Bridge. The ITC will charge AED4 each time a vehicle crosses any of the mentioned gates above during peak hours.

Toll collection will be limited to peak hours only – from Saturday to Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00, and from 17:00 to 19:00.

Implementing the Toll Gate System will allow drivers to organise their schedules and plan their trips, as well as choose the most appropriate times to travel and determine the best transportation alternatives. This will positively influence the sustainability of the transport sector and preserve the infrastructure and environment. It also aims to smoothen the traffic flow, reduce the use of individual vehicles and encourage community members to use alternative means of transport.

The maximum daily tolls for individual vehicles is AED16 per vehicle, with a complete exemption during off-peak times, Fridays and public holidays. The monthly toll cap for each vehicle is a maximum of AED200 for the first vehicle, AED150 for the second, and AED100 for each additional vehicle.

The fees will be deducted automatically from the user’s account balance that is pre-paid through an integrated and advanced e-payment wallet. Vehicles will be captured through their plate number, so there is no need to affix any label on the windshield.

There is a traffic toll exemption to four community groups: senior Emiratis, retired Emiratis, People of Determination, limited-income Emiratis. The exemption will be limited to one vehicle only.

The vehicles exempted from toll gate fees include ambulance, armed forces and civil defence vehicles, public buses, public taxis licensed in Abu Dhabi, school buses authorised by ITC, passenger buses, towed vehicles, and motorcycles. Registration in Darb is mandatory for all users, including those eligible for exemptions.

In case a vehicle registered outside the Emirate of Abu Dhabi crosses the gates with insufficient balance in the wallet, the user will be given a grace period of five business days to recharge the account, otherwise, a fine would be levied.