Utrecht city council agrees to the introduction of paid parking, also in Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten, De Meern and Haarzuilens

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VLEUTEN-DEEERN > The city council voted in favor of the proposal to introduce paid parking neighborhood by neighborhood in Utrecht. In 2024, the city will start with the neighborhoods where parking pressure is currently high. It will take a total of twelve years before paid parking is introduced throughout the city. When entering, the municipality applies paid parking from 6:00 am to 11:00 am.

By introducing paid parking, the municipality of Utrecht is making an important contribution to the mobility transition. “If we do nothing, tens of thousands more cars will be added to Utrecht. And these cars sit idle for most of the day. By introducing paid parking, we combat parking nuisance, free up space for trees or bicycle parking spaces, for example, and encourage people to travel in a different way, such as with a shared car or cargo bike, or (electric) bicycle. In this way we free up space on the road for new residents and people who are really dependent on the car,” says mobility councilor Lot van Hooijdonk.

With paid parking, the municipality frees up space for, for example, play areas, places to stay, greenery and bicycle parking spaces. The municipality uses the proceeds from the parking tax to make the city greener and more attractive. The municipality also invests in other forms of transport and facilities in the neighborhoods. “With this decision by the municipal council, we are taking the next step in the mobility transition that is necessary for the growth of the city,” says Van Hooijdonk.

Order and areas

The municipality will take twelve years to gradually introduce paid parking. All areas where there is currently no paid parking are divided into 3 blocks: blocks 1, 2 and 3. The municipality makes this division based on (expected) parking pressure, planned new construction and reports about nuisance or unsafe traffic situations as a result of parking. When prioritizing areas in blocks 2 and 3, the municipality also takes alternative transport options into account. This year, the municipality will introduce paid parking in Hoograven (above ‘t Goylaan) and in Ondiep and the Hoogstraatbuurt. Leidsche Rijn, Vleuten, De Meern and Haarzuilens are next,

Window times

In many residential areas, the municipality introduces paid parking from Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 11:00 am. We call these the basic window times. In these neighborhoods, parkers do not have to pay in the afternoon and evening. These short window times prevent people who do not live in that area from parking their car there. This leaves enough space for the residents and their visitors and informal caregivers. In busier neighborhoods with offices, companies and shops, for example, different times may apply. The municipality determines this per neighborhood.

Residents and entrepreneurs can apply for a parking permit via utrecht.nl/parkeren. The lowest rate in zone B1 applies to the new areas. There are special arrangements for different target groups such as outpatient care and informal caregivers.

Compensation for low incomes

The mobility budget will be increased for people with a U-pass. The scheme will also be slightly adjusted, so that U pass holders will eventually be able to use this budget not only for public transport, but also for a parking permit.