Sharjah Municipality’s recent extension of blue zone parking hours has led many residents to opt for monthly parking subscriptions, both through the municipality and private operators. Starting November 1, parking in blue zones is now required from 8am until midnight, replacing the previous 8am to 10pm timing.
Amr Abdul Aziz, a resident of Jamal Abdul Naser Road, decided to sign up for the Sharjah Municipality’s monthly parking package due to the extended hours. “We have two cars and only one parking space in our building, so we’ve always had to pay for parking in the blue zones for our second car,” said Abdul Aziz.
Before the change, Abdul Aziz would park his car at 8pm after returning from work in Dubai, paying Dh5 for two hours of parking each day, which added up to about Dh150 a month. “With the extended hours, the cost increased to over Dh200, so I switched to the municipality’s monthly parking for Dh190, which includes all fees,” he explained. “Now, I don’t have to worry about paying for parking anymore.”
The revised 16-hour paid parking now applies seven days a week, including public holidays, in blue-zone areas with blue and white curb markings, along with signs indicating the fees and rules.
For residents living near blue-zone areas, the longer parking hours are a new adjustment.
Layla Muhammed, a Lebanese expat and baker living in Al Nahda, Sharjah, also had to make changes due to the extended hours. “The parking outside the bakery where I work is in the blue zone, and I used to walk 1.5 km just to avoid parking fees. Now, I drive because it’s too tiring,” Layla said.
She had previously subscribed to private parking near her home, but the extended hours made her switch to a municipal parking subscription that covers both her home and work. “Municipal parking is now more convenient for me,” Layla added.
For Hanan Katib, a sales manager working at an FMCG firm and living on Al Wahda Street, the extension has made parking more available. “I used to come home around 8:30 pm, and the parking area was always full, so I never subscribed to municipal parking. Now, with the extended hours, parking is easier to find, so I’ve decided to subscribe,” said Katib.
