Q Mobility, the smart-parking arm of Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre, confirmed on 20 October that three high-demand sectors in Al Ain will shift from free to metered parking starting Monday, 26 October 2026. Motorists will pay AED 2 per hour between 08:00–00:00, Monday through Saturday; Sundays remain free. Residents can apply online for discounted annual permits linked to their Emirates ID. The rollout covers 1,455 spaces in Al Mutarad and the city centre, areas plagued by double-parking that slows inter-city bus services and ride-share pickups. Enforcement will be camera-based, with number-plate recognition issuing fines of AED 100 for non-payment and AED 200 for exceeding time limits. For companies operating commuter shuttles or field teams in Al Ain, the change introduces new cost lines. Logistics firms estimate an extra AED 350–500 per vehicle per month if drivers cannot access loading bays quickly. Employers may need to re-map pick-up points or negotiate private-lot contracts to avoid productivity loss. Q Mobility says revenue will fund shaded walkways and smart-way-finding kiosks due by Q2 2027. An English-Arabic parking app will go live this week, allowing visitors to extend sessions remotely—useful for consultants travelling from Dubai whose meetings often over-run.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
