Summer Parking Woes: Residents Without Private Spots in Dubai Face Possible Dh500 Charge
Dubai Residents Wrestle with Steep Increases in Private Parking Fees Ahead of Summer Travel
As preparations for the Eid Al Adha break commenced and the summer travel season began, UAE residents face an unforeseen hurdle – skyrocketing private parking fees. Many residents without designated parking spots in buildings now find themselves paying Dh500 to Dh600 a month to park their vehicles safely, a drastic increase from the Dh200 they paid last summer.
Bank executive Aliya Rehman, from Al Maktoum Road in Deira, expressed her shock at the new prices. Her building provides only one parking slot, forcing her family to store their second car in a paid public zone near their building. For trips lasting over a week, they prefer multilevel private lots for peace of mind. However, the operator who used to charge Dh200 has now increased his fee to Dh500, justifying the hike by citing additional services like battery maintenance, washing, and security while the car is idle.
"It sounds like a good service," said Rehman, "but more than doubling the price feels like taking advantage. We're leaving next Wednesday for our hometown, and I don't want to risk leaving the car in open parking."
Hadi Akbari, a 38-year-old dry fruit trader living in Al Nahda, is grappling with parking becoming a major source of stress. "During normal days, I manage with public parking, usually Zone 241D," he said. But when traveling, he looks for private lots.
This year, the problem worsened. "Some attendants are asking Dh600 per month, and most spaces are already taken," complained Akbari. He is Eid-bound for Isfahan with his family but is unsure where to park his car due to the scarcity of available spaces at reasonable rates.
Logistics manager Mohammed Irfan from Karama lamented paying just Dh150 last year for parking for three weeks. Now, the same place has quoted Dh350, citing holiday-related demand.
"These guys know people are flying out, and they are using that to their advantage," Irfan stated, adding that even public parking has become more expensive, prompting private operators to adjust their rates accordingly. Irfan is still searching for parking solutions for his upcoming trip to Hyderabad as finding a secure spot without a designated building parking space proves challenging.
With the Eid holidays combined with summer vacations, hundreds of families across the UAE are either heading home or traveling abroad for an extended period. The additional parking costs now put a strain on their plans. Several private parking providers in Deira, Karama, and Muhaisnah were contacted by Khaleej Times, who stated that increased rents and leases as well as services provided while the vehicle owner is absent contribute to the higher rates.
"We don't just park the car," explained one operator. "We protect it. We wash it, check it, and even send daily video updates to the owner." Another cited rising costs as the reason for increasing rates, referring to increased rents and leases.
With time running out before Eid, many residents struggle between paying high parking costs and risking leaving their cars exposed to the summer heat.
Additional Relevant Details:
- Lack of Regulation: The absence of regulatory oversight allows private parking operators to set their fees without restrictions, leading to significant increases in costs for residents.
- Demand and Supply Imbalance: The surge in demand for private parking, exacerbated by the situation where many residents lack designated parking spaces in their buildings, has allowed private operators to increase their fees.
- Seasonal Travel and Peak Demand: The heightened need for secure parking options during the seasonal peak for summer travel further justifies the higher charges by private operators.
- Additional Services Offered: Some private operators offer additional services like battery maintenance and vehicle washing, which they claim justify the increased fees.
- Dubai residents, often juggling private parking fees for their vehicles, are now finding it challenging with the surge in costs ahead of the summer travel season, as some operators are charging Dh500 to Dh600 per month, a marked increase from last summer's Dh200.
- As more families prepare for Eid Al Adha breaks and summer holidays, the lack of designated parking spaces in buildings compels them to opt for paid public zones or private lots, which have become costly due to additional services like battery maintenance, washing, and security while the car is idle.
- Concerned about the rising costs, logistics manager Mohammed Irfan expressed his frustration over paying Dh350 for parking during his upcoming trip to Hyderabad, a stark contrast to the Dh150 he paid last year for the same duration.
- In the bustling markets of Deira, Karama, and Muhaisnah, private parking providers confirmed the increased rates, citing rising costs, additional services, and demand-supply imbalances as reasons, making it a struggle for residents to find affordable, secure parking spaces for their extended summer travels and vacations.
