All news

Paid parking zone imposed in downtown Moscow from November 1

The parking fee will be 50 roubles per hour regardless of the time of day unless otherwise is fixed by traffic signs

MOSCOW, November 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Car owners will have to pay money for parking their vehicles along a number of streets in downtown Moscow from November 1.

The paid parking zone under a pilot project that will last till February 28, 2013 includes two dozens of streets and side streets located in an area between Pterovka and Karetny Ryad Streets. Within this period, the city authorities plan to optimize payment and control procedures. After that, the paid parking zone will be extended throughout the entire Boulevard Ring, and into other city’s districts further on.

Parking in courtyards will remain free of charge, the mayor’s office stressed.

The parking fee will be 50 roubles per hour regardless of the time of day unless otherwise is fixed by traffic signs. Payment will be made via automated parking payment systems, by means of bank cards and pre-paid parking cards, and via the Internet. Pre-paid parking cards will be of two denominations – 1,000 roubles (green) and 500 roubles (orange). These cards will be sold at shopping malls, newspaper stands and transport ticket outlets.

At the initial stage of the paid parking project, about 100 officers of the city transport department will be commissioned to streets to help drivers.

Free parking will be allowed for disabled persons and emergency services having special identification signs. Disabled persons however will have to obtain a special parking permit. Similar permits will be issued to people residing in this area. They will be allowed to leave their cars free of charge from 20:00 till 08:00 a.m. Moscow time. From 08:00 a.m. to 20:00 they will have to pay, like everybody else. Parking permits will be issued to apartment owners for a term of one year. No charge will be collected for parking cars in courtyards.

It is planned to organize special parking lots for mini-cars, with lower fees. It is not ruled out that parking fees for such cars will be cancelled.

A fine for violating parking rules will by 2,500 roubles. In case a car has no plates or its plates are unreadable, the fine will amount to 5,000 roubles. In case the parking fee is not paid, the fine will be sent to the owner of the car by mail.

The city authorities plan to spend the money collected from paid parking lots to improve public services and amenities. Apart from that, the city authorities hope this measure will help to increase the traffic capacity by 30-40 percent.