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Decision to establish multi-storey parking lots draws mixed response

According to the civic body, the lots will be located in six residential areas, where the numbers of residents are exceeding the assigned parking areas for their cars. In a bid to reduce traffic jams, the civic body will also install various parking meters that will start operating by the beginning of the next year in various areas in Sharjah such as Al Majaz Area, Al Wahda Road, King Faisal and Jamal Abdul Nasser streets. Motorists will be charged Dh1 for one hour, Dh3 for two hours and Dh5 for three hours from Saturday till Thursday. Fridays and holidays will be free of charge.

Khaleej Times interviewed a number of Sharjah residents on the new service and found out that while some of them lauded the new move, others were opposing it harshly.

Dr Khalid Yousri, who lives in one of the buildings at Al Majaz area, said: “The civic body’s decision to charge parking fees is a right move that will curb traffic jams witnessed everyday in Sharjah but is also equally unfair. It has been noticed that people are now charged extra money on various services rendered to them, and I think it is unfair to put more burden on people by adding to the charges in what is considered an indirect taxation. I think it is the landlords’ mistake since they do not offer the residents adequate parking lots. They should accordingly pay for the utilisation of the paid parking zones particularly in residential areas. I know that my opinion might not change anything regarding the move but I hope such moves will help in solving traffic and parking problems. I personally do not have parking problem since I am offered an underground parking space as part of my tenancy contract, but the decision will severely affect those who are living in areas designated as paid parking zones since they will have to incur another budget,” Dr Yousri said.

Ahmed Helmi, another resident living in Al Qassimia area, complained that he daily faces the dilemma of finding a parking place under his building where more than 500 cars are parked in a small area housing six buildings.

“Finding a parking under my building is one of the terrible nightmares facing me daily. My hectic work gets over by 7pm; and as I am working in Dubai, it takes me almost one hour to reach home and another half an hour to find parking. I am desperately waiting for the multi-storey parking project to materialise even if I have to pay for it. I will be among the first ones to apply for a designated parking lot that will save my time and my nerves.”

Dr Mona S. praised the initiatives of Sharjah Municipality to install the parking meters in certain commercial districts and busy roads in Sharjah.

“Having to pay for the parking will force people to buy the items they need and leave the shop immediately to save their money and eventually give other shoppers a chance to park their vehicles,” she said.

Jassem Mohammed, who lives in Abu Shaghara, said he is not willing to pay even one dirham for any other service yet to be introduced. “Even if it takes me miles away from my home to find a parking for my car, I am not willing to pay a single penny for any other service. All the services rendered to residences including flat rents, electricity and water bills and lately gas cylinders are increasing day by day and we have no choice but to pay. Why should I pay more money when I am already paying service charge for the municipality?” he queried angrily.

Sharjah Municipality had a previous unsuccessful experience with paid parking meters that were installed a few years ago at the Al Wahda Road, one of the vital commercial districts of the city.

The move had caused financial losses to traders whose businesses are located on the road, and had also annoyed the residents and shoppers to an extent that prompted the civic body to remove them after investing big sums of money in the project.

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