The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi announced today the launch of the new paid parking program, Mawaqif. Mawaqif will provide a world class car parking management system in the capital of the UAE. Following the press conference, the Customer Service Center for Mawaqif was inaugurated.
This initiative is within the framework of the DoT’s strategy to resolve the growing problem of congestion and parking faced daily by residents of Abu Dhabi. The public parking program, which is an essential component of the DoT’s Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), is leading the way in setting key policies and procedures for developing the transportation sector.
Eng. Najib Al Zarooni / General Manager of Parking at the Department of Transport said, “this initiative is the first short-term measure of a much bigger strategy aiming to ensure a greener, more accessible and less congested city while supporting Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 and the Department of Transport’s plans to place Abu Dhabi as one of the leading world capitals with regards to focusing on mobility, connectivity and transport.”
Eng. Al Zarooni added “this agreement will take effect in early October 2009, when paid parking will be introduced and the issuance of fines for illegally parked vehicles will be enforced, in the areas where parking meters have been installed. This is the first of nine stages to be rolled out to cover the city by 2011. The enforcement of paid parking serves to aid motorists in reducing the time and stress levels encountered in finding available parking spaces as well as increasing vehicle turn over and preventing the misuse of limited spaces.”
Mawaqif represents the close collaboration between the DoT, Saaed, IMUM and Parsons and its purpose is to manage parking in Abu Dhabi.
Saeed will be responsible for managing the paid parking areas by deploying qualified and competent parking inspectors and supervisors to manage the affected areas, covering both surface and underground parking in the city of Abu Dhabi. Saeed will also be in charge of all administrative matters as well as ascertaining that inspectors are available in the identified areas in coordination with the DoT.
IMUM’s role is to manage all underground and surface parking areas in Abu Dhabi. They will also collect parking fees, install paid parking machines, sell prepaid cards, provide residents with parking permits and renovate underground parking lots.
The DoT adopts a clear strategy of cooperating with public and private entities in Abu Dhabi in a coordinated effort to realize the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030. Mawaqif is the result of strategic partnership and coordination between DoT, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police HQ and the Urban Planning Council.