Free parking permit system for residents in Al Mankhool

RTA will start issuing complimentary parking permits usable in non-paid parking zones overnight for the residents at Al Mankhool residential area.

Dubai - A free parking permit system for residents will kick start at Al Mankhool residential area on a tentative basis for a specific period, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced.

According to the RTA, it will start issuing complimentary parking permits (Type R) — usable in non-paid parking zones overnight — for the residents at Al Mankhool residential area, which can later be applied to other areas if the attempt at Al Mankhool district proves successful. The decision was  taken in response to the recurrent spotting of outsiders (vehicles coming from other places) using residential parking slots at night, causing trouble to residents of the area.

Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of the RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “These parking cards allow residents of the neighbourhood to exclusively use public parking areas in their districts at night. They will be issued with Type R parking cards, depending on the size of the residential unit in terms of the number of rooms, and the type of accommodation (flat, house, villa). The applicant for a parking permit of this type has to have a family accommodation in the area, and support the application by a title deed or an attested tenancy agreement in order to be issued with a residential parking permit usable in non-paid parking zones at night. A Dh200 fine will be issued in respect of vehicles using such parking spaces without permits.

“This decision primarily aims to provide safe and accessible parking spaces for residents within their districts at night. The RTA has recently commissioned several studies, which recommended the introduction of this sort of free parking permits in a procedure governed by the type and size of the accommodation in areas not subject to parking fees. Through its constant communication with clientele via different channels, the RTA spotted vehicles of car rental companies frequently occupying the parking spaces of residential districts. Accordingly, the phenomenon has to be examined in order to come up with immediate and decisive remedial solutions,” she noted.

“The RTA opted to provide the Type R parking permits service to people of residential districts in line with its strategic objectives aimed at revamping the services, and in response to the needs of clients living in areas not subjected to parking fees. The step is taken after the receipt of several complaints citing the frequent utilisation of these parking spaces by vehicles of car rental companies,” added the CEO.

Directional signs will be displayed prohibiting the parking of vehicles within the residential district at night unless they are issued with type R parking cards. Awareness leaflets will be distributed to all residents of the area as well as cars using residential parking spaces before activating the offence code applicable in this regard. — reporters@khaleejtimes.com