(haipo) - Haifa residents are preparing for dramatic changes in the parking sector, as the Haifa Municipality has approved a series of new measures aimed at regulating the city's growing parking shortage. Is this good news or an additional burden on the city's residents?
New decisions and decrees regarding parking in Haifa will come into effect as of 1/3/25.
Parking and traffic – critical to the city's prosperity
Efficient traffic and vehicle parking in urban spaces is critical to the prosperity of a city, as parking allows residents to move quickly and perform daily activities comfortably.
But, while the Haifa Municipality does not have a significant plan to improve the physical condition of the parking lots (such as additional parking lots throughout the city or significant improvement of alternative transportation such as bike paths or public transportation), the treatment carried out by the Haifa Municipality concerns the "soft" mechanisms, such as increasing enforcement on residents, reducing the options for using the app, and increasing fines on residents.
Limiting parking time in Pango to two hours
One of the decrees announced by the previous mayor was the two-hour limit on the Pango app, which prevented the option for daily parking, i.e. automatic renewal. This decree troubled many residents, who were fined when they did not renew their parking after two hours.
This decree did not affect all areas of the city. There were a number of exceptions and relaxations. These concessions have now been revoked, so daily parking will not be possible in all areas of the city.As a reminder, the option of daily parking is common in most Israeli cities.

Relief for senior citizens – a small but significant step
One of the decisions announced this week is to grant a three-hour parking exemption to senior citizens (over 70 years of age). After this period, citizens will be charged for continued parking. The measure is seen as a positive social move and was made under pressure from the pensioners' lobby, which is part of the municipal coalition.
Earlier enforcement – tightening parking conditions
Enforcement of regulated parking lots ("Blue and White") will now begin at 08:00 AM, instead of 09:00 AM. The change has sparked criticism among city residents, who claim that the early hour will primarily harm city residents. Many are raising eyebrows, wondering who really benefits from this move.
Limiting parking permits for households
Households will be limited to issuing only three parking permits, on the street where the family lives. This is a positive move that will limit congestion in parking lots, but its impact will be minimal because not many families own more than three vehicles anyway.
Ending benefits for green vehicles – harm to the environment?
Another decision is the cancellation of the parking benefit for hybrid and electric vehicles. Until now, parking for these vehicles was free. This step is seen as detrimental to encouraging the use of green vehicles, contrary to the global trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
On the other hand, it can be said that the trend of equipping oneself with electric vehicles is a global trend, and therefore the relief granted by the Haifa Municipality, which grants free parking, no longer does it any real justice. The relief is intended to reduce air pollution throughout the city.
Parking changes in central areas
Significant worsening is expected at the Check Post and Sammy Ofer Stadium complexes, where parking enforcement will be carried out 24/7. Residents in the area fear the impact of the measure on daily life and on businesses operating there, while the municipality emphasizes that the move is intended to regulate traffic congestion.
New restrictions on unloading goods
The municipality has decided to set specific hours for unloading and loading goods, between 06:30 and 10:00 only. Outside these hours, the parking lots will be available to everyone. The measure may ease public order, but may create difficulties for business owners who manage the unloading of goods throughout the working day.
Urban vision or unnecessary burden?
According to Mayor Yona Yahav, the measures are intended to improve the quality of life of Haifa residents and encourage the use of public transportation. However, many express concern that the new policy will make the city's parking shortage an even more difficult daily problem for residents who live here, when there is really no physical solution to the parking shortage.
[…] Like the beginning of construction. This month, a “reform” or decree was also decided on in Haifa parking. Courtesy of the Haifa Municipality, for example, you will start paying for parking from 8:00 […]
I agree with everyone who said that Yahav is not the Yahav he used to be. I supported and elected him mayor and I was very disappointed. From the moment he took office, he began to harm sensitive points in the welfare of the residents, starting with the cancellation of the dances on Saturdays at Dado Beach and Bk. Haim and now on the issue of parking, including the cancellation of free parking for owners of green vehicles. Honestly, what does he care...? He has already been elected mayor, can do whatever comes to his mind and is aware that due to his age, this is probably his last time as mayor anyway. I ask... why not leave a good taste...?
Why should hybrid car owners get free parking? Is it free parking for the rich? Yona is right.
This time, Yahav is not the same Yahav he was before, with compassion and good intentions. This time, he came differently, worse for the citizen and for everyone. It's a shame I chose him.
With a budget of four billion shekels per year, roads and sidewalks are unpaved, some of which pose a danger to the lives of two-wheeled riders.
The municipality is increasing the parking shortage, preventing citizens from reaching the small businesses that are closing.
More than a third of the offices and businesses in Hadar and the city are inhabited by ghosts, and there is less and less parking.
Even though there is space, not a single parking tower in Haifa, just like in a third world country, sad!
Atznab. And this is called the 3rd largest city in Israel…
There is no serious attempt to reach serious solutions in this city, just smearing and shuffling!
Shame on anyone who has anything to say about the older Ocholsia. And another thing to do is to cut down trees for parking. Who thinks like that?
The municipality is only making it difficult for residents. It hasn't added a single parking space, but is only charging more money for the existing spaces.
Taking parking fees from buildings that are built without enough parking spaces and not building parking lots, which is what it was supposed to do with this money.
And this is the headline that the Haifa Municipality publishes: Expanding the supply of parking spaces in Haifa
Like in the joke about the soldiers: The commander comes and says: Today we are exchanging socks…with each other.
All the municipality's statements are bullshit.
The real intention is to extort more money from citizens.
Some cities give parking discounts to city residents. Raise the price of parking and give a discount to city residents.
If the municipality in Ramat wanted to eliminate parking problems in any central area such as the Carmel Center, Horev, Check Post, and more, it would build a building with 4 floors underground and another 4 above ground, which these buildings would be built only from construction and used for parking lots.
Yes, parking spaces need to be added.
And more area parking tickets for Haifa residents.
Agree. Every big city has parking towers in the city center, in close proximity to small businesses, restaurants.
In European cities, not in a third world country like Kfar Haifa.
Only parking towers in every neighborhood from the city to Carmel will solve the problem.
But the landowners and the municipality prefer more apartments and more money.
The municipality is complaining about a parking shortage. I live on Tsalafim Street. I called 3 206 times and complained about a car parked on Tsalafim Street 5 in two parking spaces for two and a half months. They promised to take care of the matter. I'm still waiting.
I'm sure I'm not the only one complaining about an abandoned car without an owner.
Next time call 106 and not 206 and then maybe you'll get a response.
206 is a peso 😜
It's really a shame I have a disabled card.
An oncology patient arrives at Rambam Hospital for treatment
There is no parking. I have difficulty walking.
I parked near the quiet beach in red and white on the side of the kiosk and was charged 250 shekels.
I filed an appeal, they refused to cancel.
disgrace
The elderly are not interested in 3 hours of free parking and they will not arrive by taxi or bus.
Who are you anyway, an oncology patient facing the elderly Tzila who came to take a walk on the promenade!!
Suri immediately from her path. She parks her new Zikr in the disabled spear Why who are you, the maqarims arranged
She has a disability. Oncological, which is a cancer.
You and the other patients – are not interested in Tzila and Israel Savyon.
From all of the above, in the end, the municipality only cares about the bottom line at the end of the day...
There was never any consideration for the citizen...
Requests to cancel or warn parking in distressed areas in all neighborhoods were met with a flat refusal... without any option...
Bullshit, all these changes will add more hardship to the residents of Haifa...
Booze …
It's a shame I chose Yahav, there are only cuts and most of the roads look like after a terrorist attack. Nothing good has come out of it so far, only the heavy traffic.
I live on Raziel David St. They came to the store not on the sidewalk in the evening!
The city of Tutulus has enormous potential.
What's significant about free parking for adults? What's significant is that they start enforcing vehicles parked on the sidewalk, or in red and white. They start towing vehicles, that's the only way people will learn.
Well done, steps are required.
The people of Haifa will complain as usual.
Worrying about the mechanics who park in all the neighborhoods and therefore there is no parking space. Many families have lots of cars. Everyone in the family has cars and lots of them. The mayor worries about parking spaces. No matter how much he expands, it won't be enough. Shame and disgrace. Worrying about those who the majority supported. There is no parking for the homeowners. They park on the sidewalks and you can't cross the sidewalk. Set things right.
3 free hours for retirees was an initiative of Einat, not a lobby.
Be precise.
Regardless of the credits, how is this implemented in practice?
How do the inspectors know if it's a senior citizen? So that they don't accidentally get a report.
And why do seniors need free parking? They don't have money for Pango - but they have tens of thousands of shekels for a license test and insurance, does that make sense?!
There are lots and lots of thick, dense trees on Geula Street. If they were to cut them down and thin them out, a huge expanse of free or blue-and-white parking would suddenly open up. I have pictures that prove that if you clear one tree, you'll have parking for two cars, and there would be fewer dead bats on the sidewalks, less dirty ficus trees, fewer pigeons and mosquitoes, and an unbearable smell of mold and mildew.
Cutting down trees to add parking? I hope it's not serious...
Do 70 year olds need free parking?
What is difficult for them to type in Pango?
But can they drive a car?
Do they have to fly abroad for expensive trips?
Is their pension in their account?
Does it hurt them to pay 50 shekels to park a car they bought for 150 shekels?
They have a red notebook…
You're right.
Instead of taking cars off the road, those of elderly people who are unaware of their surroundings, they are given a reward.
So why give them free public transportation?
A city of old people that won't progress anywhere if they keep going like this.
This is just a campaign for an article. After all, if you go to the Haifa website to receive the certificate, you discover that you need to take a photo of your ID, driver's license, car license, residency permit, and everything to give to the municipality, which you don't even know about. So, are the documents being kept and is it sufficiently protected from hackers? It's simply not worth it and it's not worth doing. Who knows when they'll disregard information security and everything will be stolen.
A city that abuses young families
Why does a 70-year-old need free parking? If he can drive, he can pay a toll.
Look, the mayor is working at the age of 81, so with a salary of 50 shekels a month, does he need free parking, or does a young family with 10 a month and the cost of kindergarten and a mortgage need this benefit? Tell us, you guys?
One day you too will be 70, with a pensioner's salary if you have a pension fund, and then when that time comes you will really want benefits for the elderly. Never forget that one day you too will be in this place.
It's a shame we elected you. You're extorting money from the public. Shame on you, you bad person.
This is not a solution to the parking problem.
What difference does it make who parks in Blue and White?
Existing or new customer?
Scatter roundabouts in all parking hotspots.
Burdening the citizen is not a solution.
I have the right to be anonymous!
Both urban renewal and a reduction in parking costs, and more, are expected of us from this mayor and his fake council!
The solution:
The destruction of most of Israel's Jews!
Because when a very strong enemy group comes to do to us what we do to Hezbollah and the Palestinians, when that happens to us (and I am in favor of doing to them what we did), then all the institutions of government will fall apart and the citizens will be able to rebel against them because until now Jewish Israel is also not Jewish and is mainly a dictatorship.
Am I an extremist?!, radical?!, delusional?!
Will the inspectors start work an hour earlier? Yes, of course…
Poor people..my heart really hurts for them 😏
The issue of parking in Haifa is problematic and increased enforcement is not a solution. Why doesn't the municipality initiate the construction of parking buildings in problematic locations such as the Bnei Zion Hospital area and more? Only in this way will a real solution to the problem be found.
No, Rina. The solution will be when you arrive at Bnei Zion by public transportation and everyone is with you.
This is the solution, not parking towers that you enter with a half-hour traffic jam on the street.
Haifa is signaling that it does not want young families, but rather to be a nursing home for retirees aged 70 and over, the only ones who receive constant benefits alongside an inflated budget pension and a hoard of apartments that are rented out. A city without a future, a city that does not promote public transportation, that continues to encourage private cars when all over the world parking lots are being removed and roads are being closed to public vehicles only.
Parking on sidewalks is not enforced, nor is the reckless driving of motorcycles, which are one of the main causes of accidents in urban areas, enforced.
Parking arrangements that are all just for the purpose of enriching this bloated municipal coffers a little more with 40p salaried managers doing half-made-up roles and of course everyone has a car provided by the municipality.
A city that does the opposite of every global trend to improve the quality of life, and wonders why the quality of life is declining!!
What do you have against 70-year-olds?
Rina, it's pretty clear what he and all the young people you oppress have.
Are you retirees with huge pensions, replacing cars every 3 years and can't pay a mortgage?
If you have the ability to drive, you also have the ability to pay for a parking space.
You came out righteous and just. Unfortunately, the only one…
Why decrees are a blessing
It is worth considering giving an incentive to owners of hybrid or electric vehicles and approving two hours of free parking as a contribution to cleaner air thanks to these vehicles.
Who cares about blue and white, when you can always park on the sidewalk or on the road in red and white.
In Haifa it's free 24/7.
So they can also demand payment in Blue and White even at 6 a.m. When the real parking violations, which both endanger lives and disrupt traffic flow, are not enforced, then the municipality is not really thinking about the residents.
And what if the son parks in a car registered in his father's name?
Yaron Carmi,
Did you know that free parking for senior residents over the age of 70 is not a novelty and has existed since Einat Kalish's previous term? What, why, and who did the Pensioners' Lobby lobby lobby lobby for?
I think it's shameful that we agree to let the municipality control an environment that belongs to the residents.
And force them to pay more taxes using the argument that it's for our benefit.
Parking should be free for everyone except in red and white areas.
By what right do you take money on areas that belong to everyone?
Instead of helping the residents, you are making their lives miserable.
shame
It's not enough that the property tax is the highest in the country.
Now will you join in imposing decrees on green vehicles? Lack of profitability in maintaining vehicles
Licensing fees (work for us)
Tax traveled on the road
Cost of using public parking spaces is a steal
And now paid parking, you've gone too far!
A theft of power, instead of encouraging electric vehicles and banning the movement of polluting vehicles in the city
What's the point of creating more laws if there is a real intention to respect them? Good morning and blessed to all and a blessed and blessed Shabbat to all.
What about simply enforcing existing regulations – such as the ban on parking on the sidewalk, in squares, and in the middle of the road? :/
What's the point of creating more laws if there is a real intention to respect them?