Sharjah’s first toll e-gate on Al Dhaid Road from April 13

Starting April 13, Sharjah will have its first road toll e-gate on Al Dhaid Road — for heavy trucks only. The gate will be fully automated, as is the case with Salik road toll gates in Dubai, within one to three months. Heavy trucks travelling from the northern emirates, Fujairah, Khorfakkan, Kalba, Masafi and Dibba Al Hisn, to Sharjah already pay Dh35 to Dh110 per trip according to their length and weight. In the first stage, a debit smart card called ‘Tahseel’ will be used instead of the cash-based system, in which a Dh10,000 coupon book had to be collected by all heavy truck companies to pass through Al Dhaid road gate. According to a senior official, the move is in line with the department’s efforts to expedite procedures and turn all government services into smart ones. Suleiman Al Hajiri, Manager of Roads Affairs at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Sharjah, said the prepaid card is meant to better streamline the passage of heavy trucks through road toll gate, and to curb traffic congestion and coupon manipulation. “Since its introduction by the Financial Department in Sharjah in 2006, Tahseel has proved to be safe, secure and effective to use in all government transactions in Sharjah.” Ghassan Mannaa, general manager of Tahseel Information Technology, told Khaleej Times that every heavy truck will have a unique serial number and pin code. “This will help the supervisor in charge to follow up the trips done, total amount deducted and card balance,” he said, noting that the money collected will be used in the maintenance works of the road. Mannaa said applicants need to provide certain documents to be eligible for a Tahseel debit card. “Applicants need to fill an application form, and attach copies of the trade and vehicle licenses, and Dh200 as card fees.” Urging heavy truck companies to register for the new e-gate system, Al Hajiri said the card can be recharged with minimum Dh50 and maximum Dh1 million. “Applicants may issue or recharge a Tahseel card from any of the 18 service centres across the emirate,” he said. “Registration is also possible online at www.tahseel.gov.ae where more information on the new system is available.” Call to scrap card fee Hani M., a representative of a heavy truck company, called on the bodies concerned to scrap the Dh200 card charges. “I am running a big fleet of 260 heavy trucks, which means I have to pay around Dh46,000 for cards only, in addition to Dh13,000 (Dh50 per card) as minimum charge for all cards.” Al Hajiri said the card is issued for one time only, and will not need to be renewed later. “The road infrastructure has been seriously affected by heavy and light vehicles and regular maintenance has become necessary.” All companies need to abide by the set weights in line with road safety standards, he underscored. “Heavy truck drivers are advised to observe traffic rules when passing the four-lane gate and on the roads of the country.” Khaleej Times