Dubai's Salik expands e-Wallet parking payments across UAE (VIDEO)
Toll-gate operator launches first nationwide integration with Parkonic
Dubai's exclusive toll gate operator, Salik, has taken a significant step in its expansion strategy, partnering with Parkonic, the UAE's largest private parking operator.
This landmark agreement marks Salik's first venture outside the Emirate of Dubai, with plans to integrate its advanced eWallet system at over 135,000 parking spaces across the country.
The partnership, set to last for five years, is designed to enhance the parking experience for motorists and streamline payment processes.
Parkonic, renowned for its AI-powered free-flow parking systems, will integrate Salik's eWallet into its network of 107 locations, with plans to include future sites. This collaboration extends beyond mere parking management, promising to improve urban mobility and efficiency in the UAE.
How it works
The integration of Salik’s eWallet system into Parkonic's operations will allow customers to seamlessly pay for parking using funds in their Salik accounts.
Motorists will no longer need to download separate apps or engage in complex payment processes.
Upon entering a Parkonic-managed parking area, the system automatically records the vehicle's entry and exit, charging the driver’s Salik account for the duration of parking.
Parkonic’s AI system ensures that parking transactions are recorded instantly, offering users the convenience of a fully automated process. Additionally, the system will provide users with detailed insights into their weekly or monthly parking expenses, helping them manage costs more effectively.
The eWallet service will be available for Parkonic’s entire network by the first quarter of 2025.
What are the benefits?
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting its role in enhancing the UAE’s smart city infrastructure. "This strategic collaboration will facilitate easy, secure, and quick access to parking services across the UAE," said Al Haddad. "It also accelerates the growth of Salik's ancillary revenues, an important part of our strategy."
Parkonic’s CEO, Imad Alameddine, emphasised the importance of innovation in the collaboration, noting, "By aligning our technologies, we are setting a new benchmark for convenience, efficiency, and sustainability in the region." Both companies are committed to supporting the UAE's ambition to become a global leader in smart city initiatives.
The integration of Salik’s eWallet system into Parkonic’s parking management further strengthens the UAE’s position as a pioneer in digital mobility solutions. As part of the deal, Parkonic will pay Salik a share of the parking revenues generated through the use of its eWallet.
While this partnership expands Salik’s footprint across the UAE, the company continues to innovate within Dubai. Just days before the announcement, Salik activated two new toll gates in Dubai on November 24, 2024, at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road. These additions bring the total number of Salik gates in the emirate to 10, part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s efforts to manage traffic congestion and encourage public transport use.
Salik has also been instrumental in advancing sustainability within the region. The new toll gates are powered by solar energy, marking the first of many planned solar-powered Salik gates in the future. This initiative is part of Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to improve mobility, reduce travel times, and support environmentally sustainable transport options.
As the Salik eWallet system rolls out across Parkonic’s locations, drivers in the UAE will benefit from a smoother, more integrated experience, bringing the region closer to its vision of a seamless, connected future.