What happened? Dubai’s Salik has renewed its technology partnership with TransCore for another five years and plans to explore artificial intelligence, advanced digital technology and new mobility services.
Who is affected? Dubai motorists and Salik users could benefit from more integrated payment options as the company expands beyond traditional road toll collection.
Why does it matter? The move signals Salik’s plans to develop into a wider mobility and digital payment platform, with parking payments and other future services forming part of its growth strategy.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Organisation: Salik
- Status: New five-year technology partnership announced
- Who is affected: Dubai motorists and Salik account holders
- Business impact: Salik is expanding beyond road toll collection
- What’s next: AI, digital solutions, parking payments and future mobility services
Dubai’s Salik is planning to expand beyond its familiar road toll gates, with parking payments, artificial intelligence and wider mobility services forming part of its plans for the next five years.
The Dubai toll operator renewed its technology partnership with US-based TransCore, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), extending a relationship that began with the development of Dubai’s original tolling system in 2006.
Under the renewed agreement, Salik will explore AI and advanced digital solutions while strengthening its technology capabilities. The company also plans to expand its platform across mobility services, including parking payments and future services.
The move matters for motorists because Salik is gradually building a wider payment ecosystem that could make certain mobility services more connected and convenient.
Salik and TransCore renew their partnership for five years
Salik announced that it had renewed its strategic partnership with TransCore for another five years.
The US-based company has worked with Salik since 2006, when it contributed to the design and development of Dubai’s original electronic tolling system.
According to WAM, the renewed agreement will support the continued development of systems and technologies used for tolling operations.
The partnership will also focus on improving efficiency, reliability and the future readiness of Salik’s operations.
Ibrahim Al Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of Salik, said the company plans to use artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and digital solutions to improve its operations while expanding its services.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salik, witnessed the signing of the agreement between Al Haddad and Whitt Hall, Chief Executive Officer of TransCore.
Salik said the new agreement also includes stronger requirements related to sustainability, governance, cybersecurity, maintenance and business continuity.
Dubai Salik explores AI and advanced technology
Artificial intelligence will be one of the areas explored under the renewed partnership.
According to Salik, AI and advanced digital solutions could help improve operational efficiency and system performance as Dubai continues developing its smart mobility ecosystem.
The company has not announced specific AI features that motorists will directly use. However, the technology will be explored as part of efforts to strengthen the performance and future readiness of Salik’s systems.
For Dubai, smarter mobility technology is becoming increasingly important as the city’s population grows and its transport network continues to expand.
Digital systems already play a major role in Dubai’s transport services, from contactless tolling and public transport payments to smart parking systems.
Salik’s latest plans suggest the company wants to play a wider role in this connected mobility ecosystem rather than focusing only on toll gates.
Parking payments are already part of Salik’s growth plans
Salik’s move into parking payments is not entirely new.
The company has already expanded its services beyond road toll collection through parking partnerships and digital payment systems.
According to Salik’s 2025 annual report, the company introduced barrier-free parking payments at Dubai Mall in July 2024. The service allows eligible motorists to pay for parking automatically through their Salik account without using physical tickets or payment machines.
Salik has also expanded its parking services through its partnership with Parkonic.
The company’s 2025 annual report showed that ancillary revenue reached AED24 million, with parking initiatives contributing AED22 million.
The figures highlight why parking is becoming an increasingly important part of Salik’s wider business strategy.
The company has also announced plans to continue expanding its parking network across its wider estate.
Dubai Airport parking is another step beyond toll gates
Salik’s payment ecosystem has also expanded to Dubai International Airport.
According to the company’s 2025 annual report, Salik entered into an agreement with Dubai Airports to introduce seamless e-wallet parking payments across designated parking areas at Dubai International Airport.
The service covers around 7,400 parking spaces and became effective from January 22, 2026.
The expansion gives motorists another example of how Salik’s technology is being used outside the traditional road toll system.
Instead of operating only as a toll payment platform, the company is increasingly positioning its account and payment infrastructure for other mobility-related services.
For residents and frequent travellers, this could mean fewer separate accounts and payment methods for different transport and parking services over time.
Salik is also looking at EV charging and future mobility services
Parking is only one part of Salik’s broader plans.
The company’s sustainability reporting has highlighted plans to explore electric vehicle charging services through partnerships involving Schneider Electric and Vcharge.
Salik has outlined plans connected to the development of more than 1,800 smart EV charging points across the UAE.
The company has not confirmed that all of these services will be integrated into Salik accounts or announced a timeline for wider customer access.
However, the plans show the potential direction of Salik’s business as electric vehicles and new mobility services become a bigger part of the UAE’s transport landscape.
Salik currently operates Dubai’s free-flow tolling system under a long-term concession agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority.
The agreement gives the company a foundation for its tolling business, while new services could create additional revenue streams beyond toll collection.
Why It Matters
For UAE residents, Salik’s expansion could eventually make certain mobility-related payments simpler and more connected.
Motorists could benefit from integrated services that reduce the need to manage separate payment platforms for tolls, parking and potentially other mobility services.
The biggest immediate impact will depend on where and when Salik expands its services.
At this stage, the company has confirmed its intention to explore wider applications for its platform, but it has not announced a complete list of future services or a timeline for every planned development.
For Salik, the expansion could help diversify its business beyond toll revenue.
For Dubai, it supports the wider goal of building a smarter and more integrated mobility ecosystem.
The next five years will show how quickly Salik turns these plans into services that residents and visitors can use.
FAQs
What is Salik planning to introduce in Dubai?
Salik plans to expand its platform beyond road toll collection into wider mobility services. This includes parking payments and the exploration of AI and advanced digital solutions.
Will Salik start charging for more services?
Salik has confirmed plans to expand into other mobility services, but it has not announced specific charges or a complete list of future services.
Can Salik already be used for parking payments?
Yes. Salik already supports selected barrier-free parking services, including parking at Dubai Mall and other locations through its partnerships.
Will AI change how Salik toll gates work?
Salik and TransCore will explore AI and advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and system performance. Specific AI features for motorists have not yet been announced.
Is Salik expanding beyond Dubai?
Salik’s core tolling operations remain in Dubai. However, the company’s wider partnerships and plans, including EV charging initiatives, reflect its interest in mobility opportunities across the UAE.
Dubai Salik’s latest five-year technology partnership points to a future that goes beyond road toll gates.
With parking payments already contributing to its growing ancillary business and AI, digital technology and future mobility services now on the agenda, Salik is working towards a wider role in Dubai’s transport ecosystem.
For motorists, the changes could eventually mean a more connected way to pay for everyday mobility services.
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