Dubai's Salik expands parking services outside the emirate for the first time - News

Photo: File used for illustration purposes

that of Dubai toll operator Salik has expanded its services outside the emirate for the first time through a new partnership signed with private parking operator Parkonic, which serves 107 locations across the UAE.

Under the terms of the five-year agreement signed Thursday, Parkonic “will promote Salik like the preferred payment channel for its customers on all current and future sites, using Salik’s ability to provide a transparent and convenient payment option for paid parking.”

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Parkonic will pay Salik a percentage of its share of parking revenue generated through the Salik e-wallet. The agreement will cover more than 135,000 Parkonic parking spaces across the UAE from the first quarter of 2025.

Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, and Imad Alameddine, CEO of Parkonic

“Our strategic partnership with Parkonic will facilitate advanced parking payment solutions across approximately 135,000 spaces and 107 locations in the UAE, and marks the first time that Salik has expanded beyond Dubai,” said Salik CEO , Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad.

“(This) further accelerates Salik’s ancillary revenue growth by leveraging our unique technology platform beyond the core tolling business. This partnership once again demonstrates Salik’s commitment to continuing to leverage leveraged the success of its parking payment solutions as a key driver of ancillary revenue growth,” he added.

Some of the areas Parkonic operates in include Global Village, The Beach – JBR and Central Park in Dubai; Arc Towers, Sheikh Zayed Festival (P4) and Marsa Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi; Khorfakkan beach; Al Suhub, Al Qasba, Heart of Sharjah and Majaz Park P1 in Sharjah; and Umbrella Beach in Fujairah.

How it works

Parkonic is an AI-based parking management system, the company’s CEO Imad Alameddine explained to Khaleej Times.

“Parkonic users do not need to open another app as their parking transaction will be immediately recorded as soon as they enter and exit a Parkonic-operated location,” he said.

“Parking time will be recorded and parking charges will be deducted from the motorist’s Salik account (similar to the Dubai Mall parking transaction operated by Salik). Through our system, they do not need to use other parking apps, because they can enter and exit the parking zone, and the parking fee will be automatically deducted,” added Alameddine.

“Parkonic, however, does more than monitor parking transactions,” Alameddine continued. “It will give a summary or calculation of your weekly or monthly parking expenses because it is powered by AI.”

Motorists must first download the app, create an account and register their vehicle. On the Parkonic website, the ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera will capture the vehicle’s license plate and the barrier will open automatically. The exit barrier will open automatically for Parkonic app users. Non-Parkonic app users must pay before checking out via any payment method.

Alameddine said: “Parkonic and Salik share a commitment to innovation and excellence, and this partnership demonstrates our vision of a smarter, more connected UAE. By aligning our technologies and expertise, we are setting a new benchmark for convenience, efficiency and sustainability in the region.

“This collaboration is not only about creating better mobility solutions, it is about empowering communities, improving urban life and contributing to the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in smart city initiatives,” he added.

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Angel Tesorero

Angel Tesorero is an associate editor and funny guy in the newsroom, but he’s very serious about writing about transportation, labor migration and environmental issues. He is also a food lover.