Dubai toll operator Salik reported a net profit of Dhs 1.045 billion in the first nine months of 2026, as traffic volumes showed signs of recovery in the third quarter.
The company recorded Dhs 2.117 billion in revenue between January and September, while quarterly toll revenue increased by 5.2% compared with the previous quarter.
Salik traffic volumes improve in third quarter
Salik recorded 194 million trips across its toll gates in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 4% compared with the second quarter.
The year-on-year decline in total trips also narrowed to 5% in the third quarter, compared with 12.6% in the second quarter.
September was the company’s busiest month for traffic since February, according to CEO Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad.
For the first nine months of 2026, total trips reached 577.8 million, down 8.1% from 628.4 million during the same period last year.
Chargeable trips totalled 419.3 million, representing a 10.9% year-on-year decline.
Commenting on the latest figures, Al Haddad said: “Operationally, mobility patterns showed gradual improvement following the regional developments earlier in the year. The year-on-year gap in total trips narrowed to 5.0% in the third quarter from 12.6% in the second, peak-hour trips were 2.0percent above last year over the nine months, and September was our busiest month for traffic since February.”
Toll revenue reaches Dhs 1.8 billion
Revenue from toll usage fees reached Dhs 1.809 billion during the first nine months, down 10.1% compared with the same period in 2025.
However, third-quarter toll revenue increased by 5.2% quarter-on-quarter to Dhs 607.3 million. The annual decline also narrowed to 7.3%, compared with 16.5% in the second quarter.
Salik generated another Dhs 220.1 million from fines, an increase of 6.5% year-on-year. Tag activation fees contributed Dhs 37.7 million, up 8.5%.
Total ancillary revenue rose 82.5% to Dhs 26.5 million, supported mainly by the company’s parking partnership with Parkonic.
Salik expands parking and mobility services
Beyond toll collection, Salik continued expanding its services across Dubai.
Its seamless parking service went live at Dubai Harbour following an agreement with Shamal signed in July 2026.
The company also renewed its technology partnership with TransCore for another five years, supporting its tolling operations and other mobility services, including parking payments.
Its insurance partnership with Liva Group also recorded growth of 73% year-on-year during the period.
Salik outlines 2027 revenue growth forecast
Salik expects revenue to grow between 6% and 8% in the 2027 financial year, with an EBITDA margin forecast of between 69.5% and 70.5%.
The company reported an EBITDA of Dhs 1.449 billion for the first nine months of 2026, representing a margin of 68%.
Free cash flow reached Dhs 494.6 million in the third quarter, bringing the nine-month total to Dhs 1.045 billion.
Salik also reduced its net debt by 4% since the beginning of the year to Dhs 4.606 billion, with leverage standing at 2.29 times.
Al Haddad said Dubai’s long-term development plans would support the company’s growth prospects, particularly as the emirate’s population is projected to reach 5.8 million by 2040.
He also highlighted the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which includes the expansion of five urban centres, three of which are near Salik toll gates on Sheikh Zayed Road.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
