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Discuss this article (34 Comments)Mall parking trials cause traffic congestion
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Tuesday, 11 August 2009
MALL TRAFFIC: Deira City Centre and Mall of the Emirates saw traffic queues as it tested its upcoming paid parking system. (Getty Images)
Free trials for paid parking at two of Dubai's busiest malls caused heavy traffic congestion on Monday.
Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre, both operated by the Majid Al Futtaim Group, became gridlocked during the afternoon as many customers experienced the system for the first time, UAE daily Gulf News reported.
But Fareed Abdul Rahman, vice-president of Divisional Asset Management at Majid Al Futtaim Properties, told the paper he was very pleased with how the trial period had begun.
He said: "There has been some congestion [over the last few days] but that is because we have personnel at every gate communicating with the public and educating them about the scheme...It is very important that visitors to the mall feel confident and understand the new system."
During the trial period, customers don't have to pay for parking but they do have to validate their tickets at any of the machines located at entrance/exit points around the mall.
The trial period runs until September 10 - the day after the opening of Dubai Metro - when parking charges will apply to vehicles staying for longer than three hours.
READERS' COMMENTS
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Problems in attitudes go both ways...
Posted by MA on Wednesday 26 August 2009 at 12:50 UAE time
This is squarely aimed at those who say stop complaining. Thats EXACTLY how you get institutions to fix problems! Would a letter to management be effective? I dont know; what I do know is that intelligent management of any company hates negative publicity and will do a lot to fix problems if there is mass discontent.
James, if your kids underperform at school, do you stay quiet hoping that they will act in their self interest? I doubt it. The reason people are complaining is BECAUSE some of us like MoE and may dislike the route they're taking. (and yes i realize your children arent perfect proxies for mall management, but I hope you get the point). I've been born and raised here and love this country; doesnt mean everything is perfect, but it means that I want to see it get closer to perfection. That requires feedback.
Personally, I think they 3-4 hr free parking system they're using is fine. Their implementation needs work, and they need to know that, else they wont fix it.
As far as comparing this place to Canada, give me a break. The weather is different (try walking today for 1 hr in a suit; let me know how you smell when you get to the office), public transport is different (lets get excited about the metro once you have buses and trams in place, so that you can access almost all of dubai via public transport in a timely manner - not before its even started). The west has a lot to aspire towards, but to draw comparisons so prematurely isnt smart.
Posted by MA on Wednesday 26 August 2009 at 12:50 UAE time
This is squarely aimed at those who say stop complaining. Thats EXACTLY how you get institutions to fix problems! Would a letter to management be effective? I dont know; what I do know is that intelligent management of any company hates negative publicity and will do a lot to fix problems if there is mass discontent.
James, if your kids underperform at school, do you stay quiet hoping that they will act in their self interest? I doubt it. The reason people are complaining is BECAUSE some of us like MoE and may dislike the route they're taking. (and yes i realize your children arent perfect proxies for mall management, but I hope you get the point). I've been born and raised here and love this country; doesnt mean everything is perfect, but it means that I want to see it get closer to perfection. That requires feedback.
Personally, I think they 3-4 hr free parking system they're using is fine. Their implementation needs work, and they need to know that, else they wont fix it.
As far as comparing this place to Canada, give me a break. The weather is different (try walking today for 1 hr in a suit; let me know how you smell when you get to the office), public transport is different (lets get excited about the metro once you have buses and trams in place, so that you can access almost all of dubai via public transport in a timely manner - not before its even started). The west has a lot to aspire towards, but to draw comparisons so prematurely isnt smart.
Mall parking causes traffic congestion
Posted by Kim on Thursday 20 August 2009 at 17:04 UAE time
I called in to MoE to pick up my teenagers on Monday, which was once an easy task (except for the traffic inside the carpark). On Monday I drove to the gate, only to be told that my 5-minute trip through the car park had to be validated. I had to drive back around the one-way system, find a park, go into the mall, validate, then queue to get out. Total time: 25 minutes! I think I'll drop the kids at the movies at Ibn Battuta or Dubai Marina Mall in future. Any idea how much it will cost to park for four hours when they start charging - that's how long it takes to go to a movie & have some dinner. I wonder how the retailers will cope?
Posted by Kim on Thursday 20 August 2009 at 17:04 UAE time
I called in to MoE to pick up my teenagers on Monday, which was once an easy task (except for the traffic inside the carpark). On Monday I drove to the gate, only to be told that my 5-minute trip through the car park had to be validated. I had to drive back around the one-way system, find a park, go into the mall, validate, then queue to get out. Total time: 25 minutes! I think I'll drop the kids at the movies at Ibn Battuta or Dubai Marina Mall in future. Any idea how much it will cost to park for four hours when they start charging - that's how long it takes to go to a movie & have some dinner. I wonder how the retailers will cope?
Maybe it's the cynic in me, but...
Posted by Phil, Dubai, UAE on Monday 17 August 2009 at 14:23 UAE time
"...why do all expat feel that they can complain about paying money for services when that is exactly what they have been doing all their lives at home! Get over it and enjoy all the great facilities that Dubai offers all of us."
I think you'll find that the vast majority of expats would not mind paying for parking, even up to rates set in their home countries, if:
It's combined with common sense - i.e. other options are available, infrastructure is competent.
Otherwise it can be seen as what it is, like Salik etc. Just another money making scheme on the cheap...
Posted by Phil, Dubai, UAE on Monday 17 August 2009 at 14:23 UAE time
"...why do all expat feel that they can complain about paying money for services when that is exactly what they have been doing all their lives at home! Get over it and enjoy all the great facilities that Dubai offers all of us."
I think you'll find that the vast majority of expats would not mind paying for parking, even up to rates set in their home countries, if:
It's combined with common sense - i.e. other options are available, infrastructure is competent.
Otherwise it can be seen as what it is, like Salik etc. Just another money making scheme on the cheap...
I think it is a great idea!
Posted by Simon, Dubai, UAE on Monday 17 August 2009 at 13:57 UAE time
Excuse me MiAah? You obviously have not been to Montreal! You are generalizing when you say: in Canada we have malls attached to Metro stations that do not charge! Parking in Montreal is much more expensive than Dubai and malls downtown charge you an arm and a leg (and that's only if they offer parking), for most malls, people need go around in circles to find a sopt on the street which costs CDN$1 for every 15 minutes (that's almost AED4/hour). Also, the concept of validating parking tickets when you buy something is not a concept known in Canada, they would laugh at you if you even mention it. This is a luxury for you to have while in Dubai (compare cities please not smaller towns if this is the Canada you are referring to).
I fully agree with the parking charge concept as I am sure so many people will want to leave their cars behind in malls and go to work, where will you park if you are just going to shop for an hour or two. If you are there to shop, you have 3 hours to do so without being charged - that works so well for me and my family!
You have heard it before but I will repeat it again, why do all expat feel that they can complain about paying money for services when that is exactly what they have been doing all their lives at home! Get over it and enjoy all the great facilities that Dubai offers all of us.
Posted by Simon, Dubai, UAE on Monday 17 August 2009 at 13:57 UAE time
Excuse me MiAah? You obviously have not been to Montreal! You are generalizing when you say: in Canada we have malls attached to Metro stations that do not charge! Parking in Montreal is much more expensive than Dubai and malls downtown charge you an arm and a leg (and that's only if they offer parking), for most malls, people need go around in circles to find a sopt on the street which costs CDN$1 for every 15 minutes (that's almost AED4/hour). Also, the concept of validating parking tickets when you buy something is not a concept known in Canada, they would laugh at you if you even mention it. This is a luxury for you to have while in Dubai (compare cities please not smaller towns if this is the Canada you are referring to).
I fully agree with the parking charge concept as I am sure so many people will want to leave their cars behind in malls and go to work, where will you park if you are just going to shop for an hour or two. If you are there to shop, you have 3 hours to do so without being charged - that works so well for me and my family!
You have heard it before but I will repeat it again, why do all expat feel that they can complain about paying money for services when that is exactly what they have been doing all their lives at home! Get over it and enjoy all the great facilities that Dubai offers all of us.
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