Paid parking in Abu Dhabi likely to start from October

Abu Dhabi: Paid parking will be introduced in Abu Dhabi for the first time as early as October, in an attempt to encourage drivers to use the public transport system and rely less on cars, an official said on Wednesday.

In the first stage, fees will be applicable to around 2,500 parking spaces in Hamdan Street and Zayed The First Street, with prices fixed at Dh2 or Dh3 per hour, depending on location, Najeeb Al Zarouni, Director of Parking at the Department of Transport told a press conference.

"Residents' permits will cost Dh800 per year for the first car, and Dh1,200 per year for the second car, if applicable," he said.

People with special needs will enjoy free parking whether they use spaces especially designed for them or other spaces, according Al Zarouni.

Within two years, paid parking will be applied to around 75,000 parking spaces identified across 43 sectors of the city, including 5,000 spaces in underground car parks, Al Zarouni said.

However, studies show that during peak times there is a need for over 100,000 spaces. Between 2005 and 2008, the number of registered vehicles in the emirate increased by an average of 16 per cent annually, and the number of people holding driving licences rose by 10 per cent annually.

According to Al Zarouni, paid parking will be restricted to commercial areas and drivers will be able to pay using mobile phones, cards, or coins. Permits will also be accessible online.

He said the Parking Management Strategy also provides for stopping landlords from renting out parking spaces in their buildings to their tenants.

"A tenant of each apartment must be provided with a free parking space in the building," he said, but did not clarify what legal action will be taken against landlords whose buildings do not have parking spaces and whether these landlords will be demanded to hire parking spaces for their tenants.

Al Zarouni said this programme is about introducing the first, short-term measures in a much longer-term strategy that is a critical part of government and department of Transport plans to ensure that Abu Dhabi becomes a greener, more accessible, less congested capital.

"This is just the first step, but we believe these measures will result in visible improvements by the year end, with less congestion, fewer illegally parked vehicles, and a better understanding among car owners of the need to park correctly to support the free flow of traffic through the emirate.

As for long-term solutions, studies are also underway to examine possible sites for the development of public car park buildings in several locations across the city centre.

In co-ordination with other governmental entities, The Department of Transport is now considering two options: quick built temporary parking buildings, or normal or robotic parking buildings built above or underground depending on the site location and logistics.

Al Zarouni said that two parking buildings and two robotic buildings, each accommodating 500-800 cars will be build in Hamdan Street and Zayed The First Street to meet the immediate needs for parking spaces in the city.

Although the new parking policies will not allow parking spaces to be reserved, spaces reserved for diplomatic missions and banks will be an exception, Al Zarouni said.

Do you think this initiative will help solve the parking problem in Abu Dhabi? What do you think of the price scheme?

The idea to add parking charges is a good step to stem the growth in traffic in Abu Dhabi. However, a number of steps will be needed to make this step successful. The number of parking spaces should be increased, mainly by constructing parking towers. Bus routes and the number of buses on each route should be increased. Better bus stops should be built. Number of taxis should be increased. The parking charges should not be more than AED 2 per hour.All the above steps will help in reducing the traffic congestion on the roads.
Faiz Jalal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 15:32

Hopefully private cars will be reduced plying and more buses introduced at peak hours.Sure, it will work. Even I will re-think whether to go for a car or not.
Prabhakar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 14:59

The move to implement parking fee will not reduce the traffic flow in abudhabi roads but a great move to minimize the usage of parking for a long duratiion
Abraham
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 14:17

Its wanderful news for all of us as we had facing huge problem while serching a car parking in Abu Dhabi,but we need to more secure for car safety while we parked. no one shoud hit by other car by mistake or innitially.Thanks
Lauthful Kabir
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 13:49

First of all the charges are very high
Lennon Lopes
Dbuai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 13:43

There is no parking in Abu Dhabi and it is very bad they are starting paid parking.
John
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 13:20

Paid Parking will just increase the COST of car-owners. Petrol + ParkingFee + Registration + Insurance + Car Maintenance, etc. The real problem is there not enough parking space. If there will be enough parking space, nobody will park illegally because they have a space to park their cars.
Leilani Antonio
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 13:16

I think the authorities should try to solve the parking problems first and then introduce paid parking. Atpresent people can atleast put their cars double parking and Put a board 'brother please call'but once the paid parking system comes then full night most of the people will have to hunt for parking.
Annabell Leveiro
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 13:04

without increasing the buses and new routes this will not give any good effect.
Jhani
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 12:11

I think Abu Dhabi Traffic Dep. has take a good action in abu dhabi for pay parking i use to live in abu dhabi 20years. i agreed there is very difficult to find a parking and i hope if i visit next time abu dhabi so i can get the parking easily as like in Dubai..
Mohammad Zubair Alam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 11:55

Paid Parking is great move but its not effect to traffic control and public transportation. I agree with Mr. Ahmed as he told in his comments that authorities is implement paid parking in ABU Dhabi to encourage drivers to use more and more public transport. I just want to say there are no sufficient buses available in Abu Dhabi for public transportation, peoples are facing lot of problems in the morning and evening hours even there is no space in buses to stand. Hence an RTA authority has to increase number of buses on the present routes for two hours from 6AM to 8AM and from 4PM to 6PM/7PM.
Irshad Hussain
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 11:35

Of course it will help. How many dust-covered cars sit for days or weeks in the same spot in high-traffic locations? These cars take up valuable parking space, and their owners would certainly choose not to park in these new paid areas for long periods of time, in turn freeing up much-needed space for shoppers, diners, and people trying to do business in the capital's core. I bet the statistics would show that virtually every other major city in the world has some scheme of pay parking. Why? Because it works!
Matt H.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 11:04

The truth of the matter is, there isn't enough parking in Abu Dhabi. My 3 bedroom apartment in the Corniche doesn't come with a parking spot, and it is unlikely that the landlord is even able to provide one. Neither does my office. How does the imposition of paid parking solve this problem?
Lin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 10:56

Its a good start. Without any plan, Abu Dhabi will always remain congested and insufficient parking lots will always be a serious problem. But the parking buildings are to be built ASAP. Without sufficient parking lots, how do we expect people to be happy with the paid parking system? Most will try to avoid paid lots and looking for free parking spaces anyhow. Does the system applied at night? If yes, it would be complains flying in the traffic department. Unfair will be the people complaint.Furthermore, the public transport for example buses are always full during peak hours. How to expect people with cars to change their lifestyle to adapt with congested bus? Hope the related party will put more effort to improve the public transportation system and parking buildings are critical for the success of this initiave.
Han
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 10:47

Giving solution to a problem should start by determining the root cause. Introduction of paid parking is not a pure solution to encourage people to use mass transport if the latter is not really of great use to masses. We can make Hongkong mass transport system as a model. There, people can reach their destination, wherever it may be, with less hassle, with almost all places to reach. How can we rely on current public transport system if it is very limited. I think the authorities should upgrade the mass transport system first by putting more options and making it easier for people to travel to their destinations prior to enforcing the paid parking concept.
Leo Abejero
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 10:30

Please try to solve the parking problems in Abu Dhabi first, before introducing paid parking.
Asha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 09:39

Even pay parking per year 1000/-, it is more cheaper than public transport( in terms of time,money and health)
Jef
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 09:35

The purpose as mentioned by the authorities to implement paid parking in ABU Dhabi is to encourage drivers to use more and more public transport. Before implmenting paid parking system, it is important to have MORE AND MORE buses on the present routes and also there is a need to announce new routes. or atleast the authorities may increase number of buses on the present routes for two hours from 6AM to 8AM and from 4PM to 6PM/7PM.
Ahmad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 09:01

Its a Great move from authority and better no need to wait for october, start as early as possible That much problems we are facingeven yesterday( After 8 PM) after my usual weekly purchase i wasted almost one hour to get the parking and finally i got it on cornische side
Ajith N
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:38

I think it will help solve the parking problem because I saw a lot of car parking in the sideroad and they dont want to park in payparking area.The price I think is too much because in Dubai only 1dhs per hour and should the same here.
Teo
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:33

How it can solve the parking problem where you have to pay everytime you park on this areas? It will not also encourage drivers to use public transports because of limited taxis and buses. I suggest the authorities to build huge towers for car parking only.
Dexter Dalisay
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:25

paid parking will be helpful, if there are sufficient parking spaces. But that is the main problem, I always spend at least 15 mins to 1 hour before I can find a parking space, and as I see it, illegal parking is tolerated because they know that there's not enough space for the cars . The rate is too high as well. I stay in Hamdan and the building doesnt have alloted parking for tenant. and if the paid parking implemented, meaning I will spend 600dh/month for it?? (say 10hr/day).
Weizha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:23

Sir,The minimum paid parking Dhs @2/- per hour is good .This can be paid through send a sms from the mobile phone too. When the time is finishing a sms alert in the mobile phone to extend the time and payable through sms rather than running towards the machine. The remaining parking space has to be electronically displayed in the main road visible area to the driver with complete details of the row ,index too.A three month unlimited usage payment can be made in advance. The three month rate can be charged as from Dhs 350 /450/550/600 to avoid paying penalties for negligance.Thanks
Joe Alfred
Kollam,India
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:14

Parking problem is not going to be solved unless there are enough parking spaces all over the city.
Anoop
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:10

I do not think this will help; for a simple reason the public transport is not available , you wait a lot of time for a taxi . "if the driver is in the mood to pick u up"
Manoo Kurb
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 08:04

With the existing situation there are no parking spaces in Abu Dhabi at all. Unless you made a new parking and make it paid parking, there is no use.Authorities must demolish some existing buildings on each street and should make multi store car parkings same like Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.
Fatih Bayrak
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 07:37

Realy its very bad that now we wil pay the parking in abudhabi as wel just for 1 mint
Mohammad Waqas Ali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 30, 2009, 01:41