About the new parking rules: "There is a problem with intentions"

 In late July, new parking rules and prices came into effect in the bustling Azerbaijani capital of Baku, following a decision by the Cabinet of Ministers. While the government touted these rules as a means to alleviate traffic congestion and promote the use of public transport, small business owners in the city are crying foul over the lack of concessions.

Under the new regulations, one hour of parking in the city center costs 1 manat, with varying rates in other zones ranging from 70 to 30 kopecks. Payments are to be made electronically, and there's no charge for parking between 22:00 and 07:00 or on Sundays. Violations of these rules incur a fine of 10 Manats.

Expectations were high among entrepreneurs that the new rules would include concessions for those who frequently parked their vehicles. However, many small business owners, like Elchin Aliyev, are feeling left out in the cold. Aliyev, who owns a facility in the city center, expressed his frustration, saying, "After the law came into effect, I still pay around 300 Manats per month for parking, even though my car remains in the parking lot for eight to ten hours daily."

Entrepreneurs like Aliyev argue that the government should introduce affordable tariff packages, such as subscription fees, for frequent parkers to ease the financial burden. They question the government's commitment to supporting small businesses, with Aliyev lamenting, "Everywhere they talk about their support for small entrepreneurs. But what is this?!"

When questioned about the absence of concessions for entrepreneurs, the ground Transport Agency (AYNA) clarified to Turan  that the legislation doesn't provide for any such benefits. AYNA emphasized that the primary objectives of these new parking rules are to reduce traffic congestion, increase interest in public transport, curb illegal parking, and mitigate the environmental impact of road transport. The agency made it clear that there are no plans to alter the pricing structure.

Economist Natig Jafarli in an interview with Radio Azadlig  weighed in on the issue, noting that parking revenue is a major income source for city municipalities in most large cities. However, in the case of Baku, the responsibility for parking management has been shuffled between various organizations over time, leading to a lack of consistency in addressing the issue. Jafarli suggests that the pricing structure should be dynamic, adjusting according to factors like time, day, and location, allowing citizens to make informed choices.

Jafarli further elaborated on international practices, mentioning that megacities often provide free parking spaces near city entrances and metro stations to incentivize the use of public transport. He argued that such a differential approach could reduce the cost of commuting by car, as fuel expenses often exceed the cost of public transport. In the case of Baku, the absence of such an approach has led to the adoption of the new, inflexible parking rules.

Ultimately, critics argue that the government's main goal appears to be revenue generation rather than improving urban transport infrastructure. The lack of a more nuanced and differential approach to parking pricing has raised concerns about the true motivations behind these rules.

Jafarli also highlighted another issue of potential discrimination, where even privately owned parking areas next to business establishments are considered public spaces. Some large companies and holdings have set up exclusive parking spaces for themselves without facing consequences, while ordinary entrepreneurs have been left to grapple with the implications of the new regulations.

In summary, the new parking rules in Baku have come under fire for their lack of concessions for entrepreneurs and a perceived focus on revenue generation rather than addressing the city's traffic congestion issues. Critics are calling for a more flexible and differential approach to parking pricing and better consistency in the management of parking spaces.