Visitors to retail outlets in cluster B and D of Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers, where parking barriers have been installed, take note: Exceeding the two-hour free parking time may lead to a fine of Dh200!
People, paying no heed, to the warnings and parking vehicles beyond eight hours may be reported to Dubai Police and their vehicle may be removed. Furthermore, violators may be barred from using JLT parking resources (retail parking areas), a Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC) notice placed next to the entrance of the retail parking zone, said.
The notice mentioned parking restrictions apply to all vehicles using retail parking area after 6am, commencing September 23.
No, not in all cases will the fine be imposed. Visitors parking beyond four hours need to produce a receipt stamped by the retailer where service period reasonably exceeds two hours.
In an emailed statement to ‘Emirates24|7’, DMCC, the master developer of JLT, said a final paid parking scheme will be announced next year.
“The system in place now is a temporary solution and will be replaced by a final paid parking scheme applicable across the development over the course of 2013.”
An Indian and Filipino guard on duty, at the retail parking areas in the cluster D, told this website: “We issue fines if a person parks his car for over two hours here. And we do inform the police if the car is parked for more than eight hours.”
JA, a resident of Cluster D, said: “Since I have an assigned parking in our cluster, I don’t have a problem. But someone visiting me gets to park for only two hours and that is insane.”
Sara, who just gave her first name, in her messgae to this website, stated: “I don't get why DMCC doesn't create two payment plans for the parking: the annual Dh4,500 for those residing and an hourly plan where visitors of residents or offices can pay hourly with reasonable prices similar to RTA's prices.
“The parking spaces available to visitors are always full especially with the retail shops nearby. In the US for example I've seen parking spaces where you can rent monthly spaces or pay hourly - both in one building. DMCC should apply something similar here.”
Saif K, who often visits a restaurant in cluster D, isn’t concerned about the parking restrictions.
“I come here for my lunch… I park for not more than an hour. Most of the malls have restricted timings for shoppers and so I don’t think the issue bothers me. It’s more of a concern for residents and their visitors.”
No exemption at all
Asked if visitors to resident of particular buildings in the clusters will be exempted from these parking rules, DMCC said at present there were no exemptions to the temporary system in place.
For visitors, the master developer said various parking options were available across JLT, including areas on the concourse levels and additional parking on street level between clusters.
Earlier this month, this website reported DMCC had commenced issuing parking permits to residents/companies of Cluster B and D. All the other clusters will have the parking barriers in place by Spring 2013.
Parking permits will also be available on a quarterly and half-yearly basis, the website says, putting the quarterly charge at Dh1,500 and half-months at Dh2,500.
In comparison, seasonal parking permits/cards issued by Dubai's Road and Transport Agency costs Dh1,500 and Dh2,500 per annum, respectively.
In cases where applications exceed available parking permits, DMCC will hold a ballot process to allocate its retained parking space. Unsuccessful applicants may be offered the opportunity to request a permit in nearby clusters.
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