(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 These concessions have now been revoked, so daily parking will not be possible in all areas of the city.As a reminder, the option of daily parking is common in most Israeli cities.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.
Public transportation in Haifa is the most disgusting in the country, every bus is extremely dirty and simply disgusting to get on.
Pango charges me even though I am over 70 and would like to receive a discount on the parking fee.
That's why we chose you, Yona???
Is this what we expected and expected??
Haifa has become Tel Aviv, all the parking lots in the downtown area behind the campuses have been transformed from municipal to private parking lots with high fees. Why did you sell municipal parking lots so that they can steal from the public?
Why is it that if I park on Friday night at Dado Beach, it's limited to two hours?? You guys are crazy there.
Instead of making it easier for us because there is still a war, you are only creating difficulties.
This move is tainted and designed to bring money into the municipality's bureaucracy. Haifa is a difficult city for public transportation. The wadis separate sections of neighborhoods and there is no chance of reaching them by public transportation. The slopes make it difficult to reach the stations on foot. The new cuts will economically harm many residents without any alternatives. As usual, the Haifa municipality continues to abuse its subjects. The rules in property taxes are absurd as well. An old apartment in a mansion, 107 square meters, pays about 1000 shekels per month!! There are no such things anywhere. These are exactly the examples that explain why this city has been stuck for decades and instead of resembling Herzliya or even Bat Yam, it is now more like the periphery. Abba Hushi is dying to get out of his grave to return Haifa to the 50s
Correction: I don't live in Haifa.
How lucky I am to live in the city of Haifa.
What does significant relief mean for retirees??? Until now there was no limit and I could park all day without paying. Now I am limited to only 3 hours.
There's nothing you can do about age. Bulldozers become more heartless. This is how it is in special education. This is how it is in tunnels. It's like building muscle. Every term, the same thing. Property taxes go up. Not interested in welfare. Public transportation, especially for the elderly. Your whole society is worthless. You'd better make room. Wild boars don't pay. This is the only thing you might have worried about. Because it's where you live. Be ashamed. Take care of your employees. Hunger wages. That's why the city looks like this. You and everyone around you will be ashamed.
How lucky I am that I no longer live in Haifa. The people of Haifa are masters at electing a mayor who does them no good but only does them harm. Wake up and elect someone who does.