Unjustifiably high: paid parking rates in Tashkent may be reviewed

The People’s Democratic Party proposed to revise the tariffs for paid parking in Tashkent, the party’s press service reports.

The deputies stated that any decision, including the creation of paid parking spaces, should be thoroughly analyzed in terms of its social consequences and impact on the lives of citizens. However, parking fees starting from 12 thousand soums per hour, as well as the lack of open information about the collected funds, raised questions among the population.

Of course, we are all interested in modern, orderly, and convenient transport. However, such a system should be proportional to the income of citizens and take into account their vital needs, — the message says.

Officials cited as an example residents working in the center of the capital and adjacent districts who have to leave their cars in paid parking lots for about 8 hours. Thus, the daily payment reaches almost 100 thousand soums, which ultimately exceeds the minimum wage.

This raises serious questions about how much such tariffs correspond to the average income level of citizens. There are paid parking lots in neighboring countries that are close to us in terms of living standards. However, parking costs there are several times lower. Accordingly, the tariffs set here appear to be significantly detached from economic logic and the principles of social justice, — the statement said.

The party demanded:

• when establishing any tariffs or fees for mass services, it is necessary to take into account the real incomes of the population, the level of social protection and vital needs;
• tariffs should have an economic justification, the possibility of revision, and information on where the funds are received and how they are spent should be open to the general public;
• in front of state social facilities, in particular, medical institutions, public service centers, “Inson” centers, as well as libraries, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of free parking for a certain period of time;
• at least 5% of parking spaces near shopping centers, service facilities, medical, sports, and cultural and entertainment facilities must be provided free of charge for preferential categories of citizens. It is also necessary to consider the possibility of increasing this norm;
• in a number of places, paid parking lots have been organized on road sections marked with “no stopping”. This creates a misconception that “if you pay, you can”. According to traffic rules, stopping in a prohibited zone is still a violation, even if the driver paid for parking, which contradicts the principle of equality.

As a reminder, parking costs near markets have increased in Tashkent. The changes will affect only cars, for trucks the tariffs will remain the same.