Abu Dhabi: Starting Sunday, drivers will have to pay to park their cars in more than 5,700 spaces in Al Khalidiya and Al Wahda areas, a senior official said Monday.
The pay-to-park system will be extended to sectors E20-02 located in Al Wahda area, between Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Street and Delma Street, and between East Road and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (Airport Road), providing more than 3,000 parking spaces, said Najeeb Al Zarouni, general manager of parking at the Department of Transport.
"Moreover, the scheme will be implemented in sector W9 is located in Al Khalidiya area between Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street and Zayed the First Street, and between King Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Street and Al Falah Street, providing more than 2,700 parking spaces," he added.
The service will be enforced from 8am to 10pm, from Saturday to Thursday, at a rate of Dh3 per hour for premium parking (identified by turquoise and white kerbstones) with a maximum stay of four hours.
It will be available at a rate of Dh2 per hour or Dh15 per day for standard parking (identified by turquoise and black kerbstones). Parking spaces will be free during official holidays. Fines will be applied to cars that are parked illegally at any time.
The implementation of the Mawaqif parking management programme in new areas follows a three- phased approach. The first phase is a preparatory period and involves creating awareness for people in the area about the programme.
A trial period is then carried out, followed by the actual implementation of the paid parking, including the issuing of fines in case of violations. Mawaqif users are encouraged to observe timings, rules and regulations posted on the signs in each Mawaqif sector. The signs also display general information and instructions about Mawaqif.
The DoT also announced that resident parking permits will be provided by Mawaqif Customer Service Centres to residents in the newly-assigned areas, allowing them to park in available standard parking spaces in the vicinity of their residence. This permit is available to home owners or tenants and their next of kin residing with them. A maximum of two permits is allowed per household and each permit must be sector-specific and vehicle-specific.
To apply for a parking permit, residents must submit copies of their passport with a valid residency visa; leasing contract or proof of residency ownership; their last water and electricity bill; and proof of vehicle ownership or proof of the nature of the relationship between the vehicle owner and the holder of the tenancy contract.
Annual fees for the resident permits are Dh800 for the first vehicle and Dh1,200 for the second vehicle.
