DAMMAM: After the successful implementation of a paid parking system on the streets of the Eastern Province cities of Dammam and Al-Khobar, authorities are planning to introduce the same parking meters in Jeddah soon. Hafiz Azzubair, the Eastern Province manager of the National Parking Company “Mawqif”, told Saudi Gazette that the Jeddah municipal authority has already approved the project and has started the basic implementation work in the city. As part of the project, the allocation and marking of parking zones is in progress in Jeddah's Hindawiya area. The first phase of the project will cover the entire Balad area and other major traffic congested areas, Azzubair said, adding that parking meters have already been purchased and only need to be installed in the allotted locations. Once this system is implemented, the current parking problems in Jeddah are expected to decrease considerably. Drivers who wish to park in the paid parking zones must purchase a ticket from Pay & Display machines, which will be located on the sidewalks in each parking zone. Drivers will have to park their vehicle in the clearly marked space, and if they do not, their vehicle will be towed and they will only be able to retrieve it after paying a fine of SR50 and towing charges of SR100. Azzubair said that the new paid parking system would not only improve the flow of traffic, but would also improve business activity by increasing the turnover of parking spaces. He explained that the parking process was quite simple. “You just have to park your vehicle in the space provided, purchase the ticket for the required amount of time, clearly display the ticket on the side of the dashboard of the vehicle which is closest to the sidewalk and return before the time expires.” “Parking enforcement officers who patrol the streets will issue a charge notice (CN) to those drivers who do not display a parking ticket on the dashboard of the parked vehicle or display an expired ticket or violate any other parking regulation,” he said. Parking fees can be paid in two different ways: By inserting 50 halala coins in the machine for the required time or by using an electronic account or e-Wallet system. If the charge notice is not paid by the driver, the amount due will accumulate and eventually the vehicle will be towed and an additional amount will have to be paid for the release of the vehicle. “We are using two different towing vehicles in the Eastern Province – the ordinary one which you usually see in the streets and a technologically advanced one which enables enforcement officers to tow a vehicle from an otherwise non-movable position. This is the first towing vehicle of its type in the Middle East,” Azzubair said. “The storage charge for a towed vehicle is SR 30 per day and impounded vehicles that are not claimed will be disposed of,” he added. He said that the paid parking hours are from Saturday to Thursday from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M and from 4 P.M. to 10 P.M. Parking on Friday is free. The paid parking hours during Ramadan will be posted on the pay meters. Parking charges in Jeddah will be decided upon soon and may vary from those in the Eastern Province. Azzubair said that prior to the implementation of the new system, the Jeddah municipality along with the parking company will launch a public awareness program which will explain the paid parking system and how to use the parking meters.
