What's being done to improve parking facilities in this emirate?

A total of 579 parking bays were created by the DMAT in two sections of the city.

To solve parking problems in the Capital, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport (DMAT) has chalked out various measures including introducing thousands of new parking spaces on various streets, underground parking facilities, parking areas for motorbikes and modifying parking regulations.
Last November, 3,791 new paid parking spaces were introduced in the Capital. The parking bays are located in sectors E21 with 1,711 parking spaces, E28 with 962 parking areas and 1,118 parking bays in E29.
These sectors are bordered by Sultan bin Zayed the First Street, Sheikh Rashin bin Saeed Street, Dihan Street and northern internal roads, Third Street and Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Street.
Also, last year, the DMAT inaugurated a three-storey underground parking facility in Al Dana at a cost of Dh120 million, which can accommodate 726 vehicles. The project that aimed to provide additional parking bays for the residents of Al Dana and its visitors, is located next to the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Economic Development.
It consists of surface parking spaces and a three multi-storey underground parking facility that includes regular parking bays and those reserved for specially abled, women and hybrid and electric cars.
A total of 579 parking bays were created by the DMAT in two sections of the city, including sector W34 in Al Bateen area and W1-01 in the Corniche area in October 2016.
 Mohammed Hamad Al Muhairi, general manager of parking (Mawaqif) at the DMAT, said that the creation of new paid parking spaces would offer long-term solutions to concerns about traffic flow and parking space availability in the Capital.
He added that it is illegal to park on bays marked yellow and grey, as well as undesignated areas like roads, drop-off and pick-up points, pedestrian crossings, access points and slots for fire hydrants.
Also, as part of improving parking solutions, the DMAT announced the implementation of 546 parking spaces for motorcycles earlier this month, which will be free until August.
"Ten sectors are included in the first stage of the implementation and are free of charges for the first six months," said Al Muhairi.
 Last month, Al Wahda Mall introduced pink-parking spaces with about 80 free parking spaces on their ground floor exclusively for women shoppers.
And as part of its plans to offer the best services and improve parking system, the DMAT has modified parking regulations and reduced fines for several offences. The fine for illegal parking in residential areas was cut from Dh500 to Dh200 and cars will only be towed four hours after the ticket has been issued.
The fine for illegal parking in bus and taxi parking bays was also reduced to Dh500 from Dh1,000 while occupying two parking spaces is now fined Dh200 instead of Dh300.
Using a parking ticket or permit not specified for that parking area attracts a Dh100 fine instead of Dh200.
According to Al Muhairi, two new parking violations were identified and their fines introduced. One is for using fake permits or tickets which will receive a Dh10,000 fine; and the other is for those who avoid payment of their previous fines, which will attract a Dh1,000 fine.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi