Sharjah Municipality's recent announcement to extend blue zone parking hours has led many residents to choose monthly parking subscriptions, both with the municipality and private operators. The change, which took effect on November 1, now requires motorists to pay for parking from 8am to midnight—an increase from the previous hours of 8am to 10pm.
Parking Subscription Benefits
Amr Abdul Aziz, a resident of Jamal Abdul Naser Road in Sharjah, shared his decision to subscribe to Sharjah Municipality's monthly parking service due to the extended hours. “We have two cars and only one dedicated parking space in our building, so we always had to pay for parking in the municipality’s blue zones for our second car,” said Abdul Aziz. He noted that the cost of parking, which had previously been Dh150 per month, increased to over Dh200 with the new timings. As a result, Abdul Aziz opted for the municipality's monthly parking package, which costs Dh190. “Now I don’t have to worry about whether the parking is paid or not,” he added.
The new 16-hour paid parking schedule applies every day, including public holidays, in areas with blue and white curb markings. Signs are displayed to indicate the parking fees and usage guidelines.
Adapting to the Changes
The extended blue zone hours have also impacted residents living near these areas. Layla Muhammed, a Lebanese expat and baker in Al Nahda, Sharjah, shared how the longer parking hours affected her routine. “I used to walk 1.5km to avoid extra parking charges outside my bakery, but now I drive because it’s too tiring,” said Layla. After considering the changes, she decided to switch to a municipal parking subscription that covers both her home and work areas, making it a more convenient option.
For Hanan Katib, a sales manager living on Al Wahda Street, the extension has made parking easier to find. “I used to come home around 8:30pm, and the parking area was always full, which discouraged me from subscribing to municipal parking,” said Katib. “Now, with the extended hours, parking is easier to find, so I’ve decided to subscribe.
