Abu Dhabi residents pay for parking space they never get

A free parking space is hard to come by, especially for those living and working in the heart of the Capital.

Circling around residential blocks for 30 to 45 minutes to find a parking spot after a hard day at work is a scenario most residents in the Capital can relate to. A free parking space is hard to come by, especially for those living and working in the heart of the city.
Despite the launch of the Mawaqif system in 2009, which was rolled out to resolve parking-related issues, vehicle owners continue to complain about shortage in spaces.
Ahmad Al Hamdi, who lives in the Khalidiya area, said it often takes about 30 minutes for him to find a parking spot. "I usually come home from work around 8pm, but it takes me a good half an hour ... (to) ... find a free parking spot," he said. "I need to keep circling around my block. It can be pretty exhausting and often frustrating to have to keep driving around after a long day at the office, but what can I do?"
Residents often pay Mawaqif in advance for parking, but are still not guaranteed a parking spot. Some even pay over Dh1,000, depending on the number of vehicles they own. "I think that residents who pay such a large amount of money for yearlong parking spaces should at least be guaranteed their own parking spots; they shouldn't have to keep driving around to find one," Al Hamdi said.
A majority of residential and office buildings in Abu Dhabi's city have street parking and don't include basement parking. However, recently-developed areas like Al Reem Island include large basement parking lots inside buildings, where each resident has his or her own parking space.
Nicole Smith, an expat living in Al Reem, said her parking issues are over. "I recently moved to the island and it's been such a huge difference. I no longer have to wait ages in my car hoping for a miracle to happen," she said, with a sigh of relief.
However, living in areas like Al Reem or Saadiyat often comes with a hefty price, as a one-bedroom apartment often starts from Dh100,000 per annum. Many residents in the Capital, especially expats, are not willing to part with such a large part of their salaries towards rent, even if it means hassle-free parking.
Indian expat Raj Kamar said he has put his plans of getting a driving licence on hold due to parking woes. "I've been here for almost seven years, but I'm still hesitant to purchase a car because of the ... parking problem."
Public transport
Many residents have found that public transport is the answer to parking woes in the Capital.
"I prefer to take public transport or share a ride with my friends. It's much easier than having to worry about parking spots and parking tickets," said Kamar. "The only thing that makes public transport difficult sometimes is having to wait for a bus or a taxi in the ... heat during summer, but that's something I'm willing to do."
Representatives from the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi were not immediately available for a comment on the issue.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi