At Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. ARCHIVE

Dubai’s City Centre Deira and Mall of the Emirates have implemented a Dh150 fine for unpaid parking fees, requiring motorists to settle their dues within three days, according to mall operator Majid Al Futtaim. The announcement follows the rollout of a new smart, barrierless parking system at these malls, which tracks vehicles’ license plates through cameras upon entry and exit. If a fee is applicable, an SMS notification with a payment link is sent to the registered vehicle owner. Failure to pay within the designated period results in penalties. “If you don't pay within two days of leaving the mall, you'll receive an SMS reminder and a phone call the next day. If you still haven't paid after three days, you'll be fined Dh150 as per the UAE's standard parking fine,” the statement from Majid Al Futtaim clarified. Additionally, parking in unauthorized areas or spaces requiring special permits without proper validation will result in a Dh1,000 fine. “If you park in spaces without the relevant permit — or are unable to validate such permit in the moment — you'll be fined Dh1,000,” the statement warned. In early February, Mall of the Emirates removed parking barriers and replaced them with sensor-based technology to enable smoother vehicle entry and exit. Majid Al Futtaim first announced plans for a barrierless parking system in October last year at three of its busiest malls—Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif—in partnership with Dubai parking operator Parkin. The initiative is designed to enhance traffic flow and improve the shopping experience for over 20 million vehicles annually. Will parking fees increase? Despite the introduction of the new system, parking fees remain unchanged. The first three hours of parking are free at City Centre Deira, while Mall of the Emirates offers four hours of complimentary parking. Additional parking charges apply for extended stays. Shoppers who spend a minimum of Dh150 can get their parking fee waived by validating their purchase at the mall’s Customer Service Desk, the Vox Customer Service Desk, or the Parking Management Office. Visitors who purchase tickets for Vox Cinemas or Ski Dubai receive an extra two hours of free parking. Overnight parking (from 6pm to 6am) is prohibited, and violations will incur a Dh200 fine.

How does the system work?

The smart parking system uses advanced license plate recognition technology to automatically detect and track vehicle entry and exit. If parking fees apply, an SMS notification is sent to the number registered with the vehicle. Payments can be made instantly via a web-based platform or linked to the Parkin wallet for quicker transactions. The new system is expected to reduce congestion and waiting times while ensuring that parking regulations are strictly enforced. ICA/Expat Media
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