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Sharjah is ending free parking in the afternoon across the emirate from next month.
According to an announcement by Sharjah Municipality, free parking during afternoon period has been cancelled in all parts of the emirate effective from April 1, 2017.
Paid parking timings will be from 8 am to 10 pm daily, except on Fridays and public holidays.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Salim Al Suwaidi, Director of Public Services Department at Sharjah Municipality said that the decision has been made by Sharjah Municipal Council in response to residents' demands to prevent exploitation of parking areas, particularly in shopping areas.
He further explained that the Municipality is keen to organise public parking spaces and provide solutions in the best interest of the residents.
"It has been noticed that there is a lack of parking spaces and many people find it very difficult to park their cars, as many people exploit the free timing to park their cars for long hours, which affects many commercial shops, whose customers find it very difficult to find space to go for shopping."
He added there is a huge demand for public parking and they are aiming to providing best services.
Attif Al Zarouni, Director of the Public Parking said that the municipality provides solutions and best services to all residents in the emirate by facilitating method payments - motorists can now pay their parking fee though SMS via 5566.
They can subscribe for six months or one year at any municipality costumer services centers in the city and industrial areas.
Earlier this year the municipality had proposed to do away with the free period, and images of revised parking boards being put up had flooded social media
At present, residents enjoy a three-hour free parking period, from 1 pm until 4 pm.
Earlier in 2016, Dubai removed the similar free afternoon parking period starting May 28, with parking hours in the emirate now running straight from 8am until 10pm on working days.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
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