Sharjah: The civic body will install more than 450 parking meters across the city over July and August.
The new parking meters will enable motorists to pay for a ticket from the parking meter via a mobile phone, besides the regular method of payment with coins or prepaid parking cards.
The first phase of the project covering Buheira Corniche, Al Majaz 1, Al Mujarrah, Al Shuweiyheen, King Abdul Aziz Road, Al Wahda Road until Al Khan Bridge, Jamal Abdul Naseer Road has already started.
"The telephone number receiving motorists' SMS is directly linked to a control room at the municipality. The ticket price will then be charged to Etisalat's phone bill," said Abdullah Al Ameri, Director General for Sharjah Municipality.
The project is being undertaken in three phases. The first phase of the project was started last week with 199 parking meters to be installed.
"I am happy to find out that we have paid parking, because every time I have to go to Al Wahda I can never find a parking space," said Zainadeen, a resident who welcomed the move of the new parking meters.
Residents have regularly complained about the lack of parking spaces in the allocated areas, and hope that the problem will be solved.
"I just hope that it works, and [I do] not have to double park my car anymore," said Assad, a resident in Al Majaz, who expects that parking spaces will be more available now that it will be paid for.
The second phase will start in August, and 197 parking metres will be installed at Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi Road, Al Ghuair, Al Estiqlal Road, Al Merraija, Turfana, Al Majaz and King Faisal Road.
The third phase will install 83 parking metres on the inner roads of Majaz district and Abu Shagara.
Sharjah Municipality had announced last month that 600 parking metres would be installed but the number was reduced to 497.
