Paid parking introduced at Sharjah Central Souq to ease congestion

SHARJAH // Visitors to the Central Souq will have to pay for parking next year in a move the municipality hopes will discourage traders from leaving their vehicles outside.

The plan was announced after complaints by customers who struggled to find spaces because spots were taken up by vans and lorries. “We have received many complaints,” said Ahmad Al Bardan, director of parking at Sharjah Municipality, “and carried out studies to resolve the matter.”

Meters and ticket machines will be installed next year at the market, nearby Al Majaz 3 and Al Majara.

Residents who leave their cars for more than three days without paying parking fines will have their vehicle impounded.

“If the car has been fined for three days for an expired meter, we assume the owner is out of the country and will impound the car,” Mr Al Bardan said.

The owner will have to pay a Dh150 fine for each day the car is impounded before being given clearance by police to reclaim their vehicle.

In January, Al Majaz 1 was converted into a paid parking zone. In October last year, parking in Al Mahata ceased to be free.

An SMS parking payment option, by which motorists can text 5566 from their mobile instead of buying a ticket, was introduced last year.