Motorists will be given about three weeks grace period without being fined for parking violations after the implementation of the new parking scheme in Abu Dhabi on August 18. This is intended to make them get used to the new paid parking system, according to the Department of Transport (DoT).
The DoT on Tuesday said that the new parking scheme will be rolled out across 42 areas on Abu Dhabi island, including areas around Maqta bridge, Sheikh Zayed bridge, Mussaffah bridge and the Corniche. More than 26,000 new parking slots will be created in various areas of the Capital. However, areas in the outskirts of Abu Dhabi island will not be affected by the new scheme.
The implementation of the new parking scheme means that all residents who own vehicles on Abu Dhabi Island will have to pay for parking spaces.
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During a discussion on the implementation of the new parking initiative on Tuesday, Khamis Al Dahmani, head of Mawaqif team at the DoT, said: "All people should be aware of the implementation of the paid parking scheme in all sectors of Abu Dhabi Island except the embassy area, starting from August 18.
"Residents and all vehicle owners should apply for parking permits before the implementation date so that they can park freely and avoid fines."
Al Dahmani noted that the aim of paid parking across the Abu Dhabi Island is to make the city more organised through the provision of more proper parking spaces to residents and to prevent illegal parking.
"The department is keen on organising parking spaces more efficiently, ensuring smooth traffic flow, eliminating random parking and improving road safety. We also want to create more parking spaces to save residents from spending much time looking for parking." The official said that unlike before, people or families with Tawtheeq (house contract) but without electricity bills can also apply for residence parking permits as the utility bill might be registered under another name.
The annual fees for resident's permit for expats is Dh800 for the first permit, and Dh1,200 for the second permit. Permits are also issued bi-annually for Dh400 for the first permit and Dh600 for the second permit, according to the remaining time of the tenancy contract, or as per the tenant's request.
Emiratis living in apartments are eligible for four free resident permits after the DoT's approval.
Tenants and property owners can apply for parking permits, in addition to first-degree relatives living in the same residence (father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters). Maximum two permits are allowed per residence. Permit should be issued specifically for the vehicle and zone where the residence is located.
Authorities said that a system of new street signs has replaced the painted curbs and their colour codes, under the new paid parking scheme. These colour codes currently represent standard parking, which costs Dh2 per hour and uses black and turquoise curbs, and premium parking, at Dh3 per hour with white and turquoise.
Paid parking was introduced in Abu Dhabi in 2009 as a solution to the acute parking shortage in the Capital. It started with busy commercial sectors and gradually more and more residential areas were converted into paid parking slots.
Mawaqif Fees Hours
>The parking fees are applicable from 8am to 12am from Saturday to Thursday.
>Parking is free on Fridays, public holidays and for people of determination.
>Additionally, parking bays in the vicinity of a mosque are free for 45 minutes starting from the call for prayer (Adhan).
Residential parking permits
Residential permits allow drivers to park in paid parking areas that are located within the same area they live in without paying the hourly or daily rates. Residential permits can be obtained from any Mawaqif customer service centre.
Resident Permits Designated Areas
Areas designated for residents can be easily identified through Mawaqif signs marked with 'Resident Permit Only'. Non-resident permit holders are not allowed to use these areas from 9pm to 8am. However, they can use the parking in other timings, after paying the relevant fees.
Resident permits are divided into two
>Resident permits for UAE Nationals: Every Emirati family living in an apartment gets four parking permits.
>Resident permits for expatriates: Every expatriate resident living in an apartment can get two parking permits in their areas, at a cost of Dh800 for the first permit and Dh1,200 for the second permit.
By Ismail Sebugwaawo
