Dubai residents chalk out plans to avoid new parking fees

Some residents are reconsidering their long-term plans after Dubai announced a series of changes to the parking system. While some are looking for new offices and a change in routine, others are bracing for the impact of the changes on their business.

- Nasreen Abdulla

Starting next month, Parkin PJSC—a paid public parking facilities operator —will begin enforcing a new variable pricing tariff across Dubai. During peak hours, from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, premium parking will be charged at Dh6 per hour across alll public parking zones except on weekends and public holidays.

For Abu Hail resident Janet R (fullname withheld on request), the move means she will have to cough up almost double the amount she pays now on car parking. “Our building only has one car parking, so we park our other car on the street in the D parking zone,” she said. “Right now, on average, we pay Dh12 per day. According to my calculation, this will go up to Dh20 with the new pricing scheme. So, I would pay over Dh500 per month just on parking.”