24 hours, 365 days of paid parking in Abu Dhabi

Added 18:30 February 16, 2010

Suppose I work in Hamdan St. where there is paid parking and live in TCA. I will need to park my car in Hamdan St.,, But I cannot get a parking card so I end up paying 16 Dhs per day to park my car? Why is that I cannot take a parking pass for the area I work?

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:16 February 16, 2010

Implementation of law for purpose of organizing traffic and parking is appreciable, but the convenience of public should be kept in mind. Some subsidies also be provided for residents of paid parking area. Even after getting Residential Permit, Parking in only standard spaces is not possible as spaces are less than cars owned in an area.What to do in this case?

Awais Malik, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:15 February 16, 2010

Ok. If problems created by wrong and illegle parking than there should be parking slots build saperately under ground and above , that will take reduce the crowd.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:37 February 16, 2010

I appriciate the police to enforce the fine to the wrong parking and, I think from my point of view if you can provide more of the police inespectors even at night that could prevent the wrong parking and would do their objectives.

Haitham, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:14 February 16, 2010

It is a good news for residents. Otherwise there will be illegal parking during free hours, causing inconvenience to properly parked vehicles. I could not take out my car from parking last Friday due to other vehicles parked at the centre of the road. In all ways 24 hr is welcome. With the introduction of paid parking so many abandoned cars also got identified. Also residents get a chance to park vehicles close to their building. Hope the system will eliminate parking problems.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:59 February 16, 2010

They should follow the Dubai RTA procedure in paying toll fees during weeks end no fee especially friday, and during holidays. 1 AED is enough for one hour for business areas 2 AED for hour, that's it.

James, Abu Dhabi, United States

Added 16:11 February 16, 2010

It is difficult to digest parking fees for 24 hrs, 365 days.it will be good to implement the fee like Dubai from 8.00am to 9.00 pm and friday and public holidays

Shaheen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:04 February 16, 2010

I welcome the move to control parking but please let the DoT provide suitable alternatives for motorists because the current bus operations are inadequate for Abu Dhabi. The buses cover less than 10% of Abu Dhabi at the moment. I do not feel there is currently a suitable alternative to justisy widening the coverage for parking restrictions.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:02 February 16, 2010

I hope it is not going to be happen, the Abu Dhabi government always supported to the public

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:36 February 16, 2010

The Basic purpose of paid parking system is to control illegal parkings and motivate people to make proper use of parking spaces.But Mawaqif seems to be deviated from its principle. Neither there is provision for people having residence and office both in paid parkig areas nor it has any options for people who cannot get tenancy agreement from their landlords for any reason. And in addtion there are less parking spaces even in current paid parking areas so residents too have to go round n round to search a parking space. Can any one raise the question?

Ajay Kumar Masand, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:21 February 16, 2010

I think buying a car will be an expensive affair in the long run hence people should use public transport

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:16 February 16, 2010

24 hours paid parking is not accepatable in Abu Dhabi, if the persons who are violating the parking rules then mawaqif should charge fine, please dont put in trouble while implementing new rules like this.

Anaz, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:40 February 16, 2010

Then please enable Khalifa street MAWAQIF, so that we dont suffer, since all hamdan, khalifa and conrniche residents park in our area and a rent a car company has 300 cars parked too !!

Mustafa, ABu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:39 February 16, 2010

It is appreciate to enforce heavy fine to traffic violators regardless whether for wrong parking or driving dishounors but it is difficult to digest the decision to enforce parking fees for 24 hrs, 365 days.it will be appreciated to implement the fee structure like Dubai from 8.00am to 9.00 pm and to avoi fridays and public holidays.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:35 February 16, 2010

Keep Rocking!!! Abudhabi

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:33 February 16, 2010

At present the permit holders can park only at certain designated areas during day time.At night from 9pm to 8am the premium parking would be empty if the new system is on effect, same time people are are hunting for a parking space.let this parking system be like Dubai, pay and get the parking permit irrespective of where one resides.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:05 February 16, 2010

I, too, disagree & disapprove of the new system of paid parking. Inclusive of paid parking in holidays too was aimed by DOT & Mawaqif in effort to prevent illegal usage of spaces. This doesn't make sense at all. Illegal parking should be fined regardless of working day or holiday, peak hr or off pk hr. If paid parking at legal spaces was imposed also during holidays I dont get how does it help the fire brigades & ambulances during emergency? What the Dot & Mawaqif should have aimed to do is to be strict & vigilant of any illegal usage of space and fine them heavily. Like my other fellow GN readers I would also like to suggest the DOT to build a parking complex in each sector.

Dr. Simi Hoque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:51 February 16, 2010

As a bachelor, i am requesting mawaqif, please do something for those who dont have building contracts with there names. We are ready to pay more than AED 2000 for a parking permit instead of AED 800. As of now they are not indroduced any scheme for this catagory. Pls understand we are also human beings and want to stay in abu dhbai.

Safeer, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:26 February 16, 2010

24 hours, 365 days of paid parking system in Abu Dhabi can not be acceptable by all. Government should not implement this rule particularly during this time.I request the gulfnews to submit the readers comment regarding this issue to Mawaqif. If the vehicles are not parked properly the Government can impose fine and make necessary steps.

Nithya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:08 February 16, 2010

Abu Dhabi government was so generous to its inhabitants, but many of its residents are misusing free parking facilities. I welcome the decision to implement paid parking all over the city. Only with the constant vigilance of traffic police, the habit of bad driving and "parking like an idiot" syndrome can be controlled. The traffic department should accelerate traffic patrolling across the city.

Arif Hamza, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:47 February 16, 2010

The Authority can put fine to the vehicle throughout the year 365 day 24 hours who illegally parked their vehicle on the undesignated parking space. The vehicle which parked on the designated place during public holiday should get free parking. Also the authority should put the notice board on the paid parking area which include the times. Also they should put the direction sign board that tells where is the parking meter.

Mohammad Moin Al Deen, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:42 February 16, 2010

The new paid parking system is very good. But "round the Clock" its Shocking. And authority should apply parking fee all other locations as soon as possible,because the poeple those who are not interested buy a parking card moving to feeless area and its making more congest.And C should consider to provide at least two parking place to a parking card holder,one in residing area other in working office area .For this authority can ask to produce company letter to prove the working location.Otherwise the person who is living out of city or non-parking fee area,where he can park his car when he come for work. And I think many people living in Abudhabi by sharing basis. So how all the poeple can produce rent agreement prove the location. I kindly request the authority to consider these these practical difficulties of the common people.

Mohammad Ishak, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:37 February 16, 2010

The new paid parking system is good , but enforcing the same . on Fridays & Public holidays ...is not at all logical. You can reduce the parking violation by issuing penalty ticket not by 24X7 paid parking. First allot enough parking spaces . First Traffic Department to identify the reason why the pupil are parking in violated area due to non availability of enough parking spaces.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:36 February 16, 2010

24 hours, 365 days of paid parking system in Abu Dhabi can not be acceptable by all. Government should not implement this rule particularly during this time of global recession.I request the gulfnews to submit the readers comment regarding this issue to Mawaqif. If the vehicles are not parked properly the Government can impose fine and make necessary steps.

Nithya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:34 February 16, 2010

I welcome this change. This was really needed in Abu Dhabi and the same must be implemented across UAE. I have been in Abu Dhabi and I have not been able to visit the main city due to the non availability of parking especially during the weekends. People have more than one car and the space is just being misused even by car selling companies. This measure will help to improve the safety and security of the people as it will avoid any unauthorized vehicles and will help police to identify earlier than the present scenario. Well done and I wish this move is followed in all the emirates.

Brijesh Tyagi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:27 February 16, 2010

Pay Parking was not we expected to be implemented in Abu Dhabi just because of illegal parking practice of so many car owners just because they do not want to walk a distance to his/her destination. I believe a strict implementation on driving rules (illegal parking fees or car impounded if found park illegally) is the solution to the problem and not the pay parking rules. With the present rates of flat rent which is very expensive not all people especially expatrait can afford to rent for their own and therefore he/she is eligible to have a parking permit for the duration of 1 year for AED 800 "Therefore there are so many car owners who are not eligible for the parking permit", Another thing to be look at are those taxi which has no company parking and most of the taxi are park on residential area. Also please note that not all people who have cars are family status some are also in single/bachelor status which occupation requires a car, all this I hope the UAE Abu Dhabi Government should consider.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:10 February 16, 2010

I fully support the 24/7 paid parking system as long as it is strictly enforced in an open and honest way and 24/7 hour warden patrols. Having said that, free parking should be made available at the edge of the city and commercial vehicles banned from parking in paid parking areas - similarly with commercial vehicle parking made available at the edge of the city. Big question, currently there is no paid parking/underground parking or multi story parking in the tourist club and areas east of Salaam Street (Abu Dhabi mall side) to Navigate which now has 70% congested parking with commercial vehicles, school buses and pick ups. in an already congested residential area. What are the authorities doing about this situation ? To Mr. Jay's comments above, he should know that 'apartment sharing' on a non family basis is regrettably not allowed. Barry, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Barry, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:52 February 16, 2010

How can they say that underground parking is not being utilised? I reside in a place where there are 2 such facilities. Since I came to know that there are enough parking spaces at both places, I tried to obtain one from DOT. Past 6 months, I had been trying this and they say that it's fully booked or occupied. They refuse to alot me a space. All these are only adding to a common man's burden... Now it's round the clock!!

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:38 February 16, 2010

once the system is fully implemented in central areas, there will not be single free parking slot 24x7x365; when the car owners can park tension free ? will the authories provide alternative designated free area for parking at night before they implement ?

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:30 February 16, 2010

In some areas, where the undergroung parking plazas are already there, it may be correct to fine people for not parking in designated parking lots. But in most of the areas these spaces are not available and people have no choice except to park in undesignated areas. Most of the people (if not all) like to park the car in such a way that it may not be damaged and it may not affect the other cars parked. Just increase in parking charges and fines without sufficient parking spaces may not serve the purpose of improving the publice parking.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:20 February 16, 2010

This will only increase cost of living in Abu Dhabi. The main problem is that there are not enough proper parking spaces available to start with. There are multi-storey buildings with no parking at all. So people have no choice but to park in the middle of the road. These parking fees will not create more parking spaces, so I don't think the actual problem will be addressed through this.

Misbah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:14 February 16, 2010

The new paid parking system is good , but enforcing the same . on Fridays & Public holidays ...is not at all logic ...where would all the cars park ? Also at the same time suggest authority to allocate more spaces for parking by building multistorey parking at all streets.

Vinsan George, Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates

Added 09:12 February 16, 2010

i think the best way to reduce the parking spaces problems is to make a central parking complex building in each of the sector especially where the offices and residences areas so as too reduce the number of cars on the roads . there are some really old buildings which are still in abu dhabi which aren't in use if this could be turned into a parking complex it would be more effective n economical too.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:10 February 16, 2010

This is going to Pinch the pockets for sure...the DOT's move to reduce traffic and initiative to ease out the parking is good and appreciated but the methodology and structure is not well acceptable. The rates need to be sincerely restructures Dhs. 2/3 per hour is very harsh. With such strategies they should also pass a law for the Minimum Salary for each individual which can compensate for the High Rents. Affording a house is a distant reality considering the rents these days...so families stay in an shared apartment and when you goto Mawaqif centre to purchase the Parking Cards you are asked to produce Rent Agreement which for many of the residents is not possible as they share the apartments. Aim of the Government, should they implement such structures is to first make the procedures for availing it easy for Common Man!

Jay, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:08 February 16, 2010

The higher charge for parking in the paid areas and phased introduction of MAWAQIF has created more and more parking problems in areas not coverd by MAWAQIF as people try their best to avoid parking cars in the paid zones. The local administartion should have thought about the pricing first and also should have organised for some multi-storey car park facilities before introducing MAWAQIF. I believe there is not strategic thought given to this concept before implementing it.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:05 February 16, 2010

This move will make the people frustrated who are doing the business in Abu Dhabi, since the companies in this area are not allowed to get a parking permit. This is also another big hit for the ordinary people who are already paying more than 50 % of their salary as rent and forced to stay in a shared accommodation. Please review this decision in a humanitarian basis.

Sreekanth P., Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:59 February 16, 2010

Not only myself but many abudhabi residents will be more than happy to have underground and paid parkings across the major locations in the city. Most important are the charges should be reasonable and affordable to everyone, it will then encourage all to abide by the rules and our beautiful city will look neat and organised. It is high time that we all have decent parkings available. Now we cant think of coming home late or taking the car out again if once parked. Authorites should comeout with annual parking cards which can be used across the city and not restricted to one location with an affordable amount, same like we have in other emirates. Hope to have some good developments in near future.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:58 February 16, 2010

I think Mawaqif is not solving problem. In weekend many people come to see relative or friend so by now they have to pay for each visit . Also I want to have parking permit but I cant get as I am living in sharing accommodation so other meaning is that many people leaving in sharing accommodation has to go far far from Abu Dhabi city. So I think its vey suffocating condition I request Mawaqif to suggest general people where to go and where to live

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:54 February 16, 2010

The Parking Facility is the responsibility of the Government to provide to the residents in the city. Currently the Residents are charged fro many activites in name of facilities. Provide free parking for the first car of each resident if he has no parking in the building. The rule should be imposed on all apartments to provide parking space along with their rent for which they are charging annual increment of 5% every year. The rents are no in control on top the parking bills and fines make residents more uncomfortable. The salaries of a middle class resident is not increased but all additional cost are increasing including food stuff. If the parking rate decresed to 10 Dhs per day it would be feasible. Annual parking fee 500 Dhs if parking is not provided by Building owner. For the second car Dhs 800 and third car Dhs 1200. Some people will take the building parking as well as the outside parking for make the single car owners parking difficult.

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:37 February 16, 2010

Excellent move, this move shoud have been enforced long ago. I'm tired of looking for a praking space around my living area. I hope, the paid parking system will soon come to the Al Falah Plaza area.

Emil Kazimli, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 08:24 February 16, 2010

While I commend the DoT's efforts to improve parking, the new scheme has failed to be a success due to a number of factors. 1) I have a residents permit, inspite of that I often have to wait half an hour for parking after 6pm. 2) Way too many spaces have been devoted to premium white/blue spaces, most of which lie empty after 2pm, while the standard blue/black spaces are all full. 3) Charges of 3dhs/hour is quite expensive, not everyone is rich 4) Underground facilities are also expensive, they recently increased their charges to almost 6000/year. That explains why they remain unutilised at night. Also, when I went to buy a permit last year, I was refused, the man citing "no new permits". So no point in then complaining that people arent using underground parking, when they themselves refuse to sell it to people. 5) I would guess that at least 25% of spaces are blocked by cars which dont move in 5-6 days or rental cars. A time cap of 2-3 days should be enforced on each space.

Mohammad, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates