Free parking for Dubai's Al Khail Gate residents

Dubai - Paid parking had been introduced in the area in 2018.

Residents in Dubai's Al Khail Gate community will now be getting one free parking space per flat - much to the relief of many. The management of the residential area recently sent out a notification about the new scheme.

Paid parking had been introduced into the neighbourhood in 2018 by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). To use the space, all drivers have to pay Dh4 per hour and a maximum daily fee of Dh32 per 24 hours.

With the new scheme, "those who signed their contracts in January will receive the free parking space", a customer service agent from the management confirmed to Khaleej Times.

Akif Hassan, an Al Khail Gate resident since 2011, was among those who were relieved, saying the new rule would help him save up to Dh2,500 every year.

"The free parking space is definitely going to help because I pay Dh2,500 for the RTA parking card, and it'll save me that amount," he said.

Hassan said parking in their neighbourhood has been "chaotic" for the past years. "In the beginning, when we first moved here, it was very peaceful - you could easily get parking any time of the day.

"But as the community grew, it became a nightmare to find parking. People were parking on the side of the road, and then the paid parking was introduced in 2018."

Another resident, Aisha Fayaz, welcomed the step taken by the management of the community.

"Many residents had left the community after the paid parking was put in place as it added to the cost of living here," she said.

"It is surely going to be more convenient. Al Khail has very good facilities and the only drawback was the paid parking."

When the RTA introduced the paid parking into the neighbourhood, a spokesperson had said: "The move is intended to streamline the use of that parking area, which is witnessing high occupancy rates, and provide the highest number of parking slots possible to users. The step is in line with the RTA's goal to ensure optimal utilisation of resources and stepping up the level of service on offer across all districts of the emirate.

"The parking lot at Al Khail Gate community has been classified into different zones designated by clearly displayed signs as per the needs of the community. Some parking spaces will be allocated to residents only, and others will be available for visitors."

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai