The municipal company R\u012bgas satiksme is planning to increase parking fees and limit benefits for electric vehicle owners, including free parking in the city centre, reports the TV3 programme Nek\u0101 person\u012bga.<\/p>\n
The aim of the decision is to reduce traffic congestion and improve parking availability.<\/p>\n
As Nek\u0101 person\u012bga notes, the most expensive parking zone managed by R\u012bgas satiksme is currently the R zone in Old Riga. Here, the first hour costs 5 euros, while each additional hour costs 8 euros. Environmentally friendly vehicles are currently not charged in any parking areas managed by R\u012bgas satiksme. This often leads to situations where such vehicles are left parked all day, preventing others from using the spaces. A year ago, entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, and real estate developers were invited to submit proposals on how to revitalise the city centre. One suggestion was to limit parking time to two hours for all vehicles, including electric cars.<\/p>\n
These proposals have evolved into significant changes developed by R\u012bgas satiksme.<\/p>\n
If city council deputies approve the reform, all drivers will face a financial impact,<\/p>\n
the programme reports. According to a vision presented to council members in March this year, R\u012bgas satiksme plans to gradually increase parking fees by 30% across all its parking areas \u2014 20% next year and an additional 10% the year after. Paid parking zones would also be expanded further, including areas such as P\u0113rnavas Street near Gr\u012bzi\u0146kalns. Several existing zones closer to Old Riga would be upgraded to more expensive categories.<\/p>\n
From 2027, electric vehicles would be allowed to park free of charge for one hour in zones A and B in central Riga. A year later, this would apply across all city zones. After the first hour, fees would be charged, initially with discounts. By 2030, a unified tariff is planned for all vehicles. In Old Riga\u2019s R zone, benefits for electric vehicles could be completely abolished as early as next year.<\/p>\n
The management of R\u012bgas satiksme emphasised that parking tariffs have not been revised for 10 years. While there is broad agreement that the issue is long-standing, company data show that occupancy in zone A during peak weekday hours reaches 95%, effectively meaning no available spaces. Initial attempts to address the issue were made four years ago, when the sector in Riga was overseen by the political party New Unity,<\/p>\n
but a commissioned study did not lead to further action.<\/p>\n
The planned reforms have been criticised by former municipal deputy Valters Bergs, a representative of the National Alliance faction. In his view, raising parking prices alone will not produce results. It is crucial whether convenient and frequent public transport is available and whether Park & Ride options exist. Otherwise, parking fees will increase without delivering visible benefits or alternatives, Bergs told Nek\u0101 person\u012bga.<\/p>\n
Revenue from parking generates approximately 10\u201312 million euros annually for R\u012bgas satiksme, part of which is used for system maintenance and parking area upkeep. If the reforms are implemented at the maximum planned level, revenues could increase by more than 8 million euros per year. The municipal company intends to use these funds for long-term programmes and investments.<\/p>\n
For the new parking policy to take effect from next year, the Riga City Council must adopt the necessary decisions by May or June of this year at the latest. According to unofficial information obtained by Nek\u0101 person\u012bga, councillors have begun considering that, due to rising fuel prices, an additional financial burden on drivers could negatively affect party ratings in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Therefore,<\/p>\n
it is not excluded that the reform may be only partially implemented, postponed, or frozen.<\/p>\n
As reported, R\u012bgas satiksme introduced 13 new paid parking zones last summer, citing long-term parking of vehicles that hinder residents from parking near their homes. Residents registered in these areas can purchase resident permits. The municipality states that it does not plan to increase the price of these permits.<\/p>\n
It has also been reported that the Latvian Electric Vehicle Association opposes the Riga City Council\u2019s plan to limit parking benefits for electric vehicles without a clear transition period. In the association\u2019s view, such an approach undermines trust in green mobility policy and risks slowing down the transition to electric transport in the long term.<\/p>\n
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