Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai celebrates a decade of controlled parking system

The controlled parking system has grown significantly since its establishment in 1995, with 39,000 parking spaces today compared to 2,200 parking spaces at the time of introduction. Parking machines presently total 1,500, against only 40 machines a decade ago. The number of users has increased drastically to 32 million from 950 thousand in 1995.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, RTA, said,

'The organized parking system has contributed immensely in maintaining the traffic in city which has an influx of people and businesses. To achieve the vision of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in highlighting the presence of Dubai globally as a leading business and financial hub, the team at RTA continues to work devotedly and with great commitment, and in recognition of their efforts we have decided to acknowledge and award them. We will be establishing a center for controlling the operations of the Parking, Traffic and Dubai Metro in the premises of RTA. Further, we are developing plans to increase multi-storied car-parks in Dubai. To create awareness we will be developing an integrated marketing campaign and through it we shall promote the importance of a controlled parking system.'

'We have also speeded up the transactions of the Parking Department to a day, compared to two days. With the support and commitment of our highly experienced staff, we are certain to achieve our goals in the least possible time and reach new milestones in the development of an integrated transport system. We urge them to work with greater enthusiasm and devotion which will lead to faster realization of RTA's goals and vision,' he added.

Engineer Mehdi Ali Redha, Director, Road Fees and Parking, RTA said, 'The growth and achievements of the Parking Department in the past decade have been commendable. The Parking Department will continue to work with great commitment and dedication to contribute to the vision of the RTA. The department is working towards the development and maintenance of new parking areas, and additional parking machines will be installed in the coming months across various locations in Dubai. The installation of such machines will help ease the parking in congested areas as the parking will be timed, and the revenues generated will be used to develop future projects. We have come a long way and have achieved many milestones, and we look forward to keep improving the parking system in the Emirate.'

The department's staff strength has grown to more than 550 today, from only 20 in 1995. The annual revenues generated by the Parking Department currently stand at approximately AED 177 million, compared to AED 6 million in 1995.