Hameed Hashim, a rice trader living in Al Warqa and operating his wholesale business in Al Ras, said he is now spending more on parking as it has become more expensive than ever.
Until November last year, he paid Dh16 daily to park in RTA’s Zone A from 10am to 2pm. But the daily hunt for a vacant spot took almost an hour each morning.
To avoid the daily struggle, Hameed switched in December to a private parking lot nearby, where he negotiated with a local attendant for a spot and paid Dh20 a day.“It worked out since I go to the office about 20 days a month,” he said.
However, on May 1, he was shocked when the same attendant told him the the rate had doubled. “The attendant told me it’s now Dh40 a day or Dh650 for a monthly pass,” he said. “He claimed the building owner increased their lease.”
Hameed’s experience is not unique. Traders, residents, and shopkeepers across Deira reported a sharp rise in private parking fees in recent weeks — with some lots now charging Dh15 to Dh35 per hour. The spike, they said, is taking advantage of both the persistent parking shortage and recent changes to RTA’s tariffs.
Why motorists use private parking spaces
With RTA public parking spaces consistently full, many motorists find themselves circling areas for 30 minutes to over an hour in search of a spot. This not only causes frustration but also leads to unnecessary fuel consumption and traffic congestion.
In desperation, motorists turn to private lots, despite high costs and inflexible policies.
‘Felt totally helpless’
However, motorists also complain about the lack of any grace period, where even a minute’s delay results in an additional hour’s charge.
“They don’t show any leniency,” said Bilal Ahmed, a regular commuter. “I used to pay Dh5 per hour, now it’s Dh10. And if you’re just a bit late, you’re charged double. If you question it, the attendants can get aggressive.”
Fatima S., a mother who visits a clinic twice a week on Al Maktoum Road, said she was charged for two full hours after returning to her car just five minutes late. “I was asked to pay Dh30 instead of Dh15. When I asked why there’s no grace period, he (the attendant) started shouting and acting like he would damage my car. I felt totally helpless,” she said.
When Khaleej Times inquired about the fee hikes, lot attendants claimed they had no choice. “Our rent has gone up, so we had to raise rates. We’re not making extra profit,” said one operator on Creek Road.
But residents say that the lack of regulation gives these operators free hand to exploit motorists. “There’s no standardisation. They can make up rules and even threaten to tow or damage your car if you question them,” said Ahmed.
Residents urge intervention
With private parking fees rising rapidly and reports of harassment mounting, residents are calling on authorities to step in to regulate private parking spaces.
“There should be a proper system in place,” said Hameed. “Just like how residential rent increases are now regulated in Dubai, parking fees need to be controlled too.”
“This isn’t just a Deira issue — it affects anyone who works, shops, or visits here,” he added.
