Residents on the border town of Al Nahda in Dubai had benefitted from ample free parking, but not anymore.
The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has marked out every parking spot, that was free, under the paid parking zones.
“This is a residential area and it’s unfair to make us pay for the parking. We have two cars, and the building allocates only one free parking slot. We are now forced to pay up,” protested a resident at the Al Safa building in the area.
Another resident added that even though the parking meters and zones were marked out in December last year, there was no notice informing them when the paid parking had kicked in.
“I had checked at the parking meters a couple of times but it wasn’t operational. So, I let it go. It’s only when I got a parking ticket two weeks ago that I realised that it was no longer free,” informed an irked resident, who didn’t wish to be named.
Another resident, again requesting anonymity, claimed that he had gone on holiday, only to return to be fined for parking without a ticket.
“When I left three weeks ago, the parking meter had not started working. And since there was no notification broadcasting the start of the paid parking I had no clue that I would be slammed with a fine when I got back,” he added.
Peppered with numerous supermarkets and varied restaurants, the Al Nahda area is bustling with activity in the evenings, with some residents complaining they don’t even find parking despite the fee.
The paid meters aren’t for exclusive for Al Nahda.
The other areas that have recently been marked out are Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai Internet City.
These are office-areas and the parking time is specified from 8am to 6pm.
“It’s a big cut to my savings. Now, I will have to shell out Dh24 per day,” complained a worker at Dubai Media City.
According to media reports, the RTA has started the facility on January 15, and it will activate more parking meters in areas in and around Tecom. The entire process is supposed to be completed by March 15.
Emirates24|7 is still awaiting official confirmation from the RTA, detailing these plans.
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