26,000 new paid parking spaces in Abu Dhabi soon   ABU DHABI – From August 18, more than 26,000 new paid parking spaces will open in Abu Dhabi, a senior transport official said. A paid parking system is being implemented across Abu Dhabi island in a bid to organise parking options in the emirate. Parking across Abu Dhabi island, from the Corniche up until the bridges of Al Maqta, Sheikh Zayed and Musaffah will be paid, with the exception of spaces in the embassies area. Khamees Al Dahmani, head of the Mawaqif parking team of the Department of Transport, said the move to turn all parking spaces into paid parking from August 18 is aimed at reducing instances of improper parking and ensure smoother traffic flow. Parking rates will remain at Dh2 per hour for standard parking spaces and Dh3 per hour for a maximum of four hours for premium parking. Motorists can also pay Dh15 to park for a whole day anywhere in the city. Signboards will be put up in parking areas to indicate standard and premium parking areas, including reserved parking in residential neighbourhoods. Parking in some neighbourhood, such as Al Mushrif and Al Karama will be free of charge, however, they will soon become paid parking, Al Dahmani said. Annual residential parking permits cost Dh800 for the first car and Dh1,200 for a second vehicle. A maximum of two permits are issued per expat residence. For Emiratis, up to four free residential permits may be issued. For villas, parking for Emiratis will be free, and they can also SMS for free parking for up to eight hours after midnight for their guests. JHQ/Expat 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