Dubai rolls out variable parking rates

Drivers will have to pay more for parking in some parts of Dubai starting Friday, with premium rates starting at AED 6 an hour.

As previously announced by Parkin Company, the tariffs will be determined based on whether the parking zones are "Premium" or "Standard", and the time of use - during peak or off-peak hours.

Parkin had explained that "Premium" zones are those marked "near public transport, shopping destinations and business districts". The slots will be "in areas like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Deira, Jumeirah, or other high-demand and densely populated areas", they added.

The new rates will apply across public parking zones - A,B, C, D - except on public holidays, with peak hours running from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm. 

Under the remaining parking slots categorised as Standard, tariffs will remain unchanged during off-peak hours - 10am – 4pm and 8pm – 10pm, with pricing in line with the existing tariff structure.

Free parking will continue to be available overnight (from 10pm to 8am) and on Sundays and public holidays (all day).

Parkin had earlier said that following discussions with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), 40 per cent of its public parking spaces will now be designated as Premium parking, up from the original 35 per cent.

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Currently, Parkin operates over 3,200 parking spaces in multi-storey car parks, where the rate remains AED 5 per hour, with a maximum fee of AED 40 for parking over 8 hours in a 24-hour period.

Meanwhile, the special tariff of AED 25 per hour that will apply around the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) during major events, from 8:00am to 10:00pm, will affect around 200 parking spaces.