Belgrade is about to turn parking in Stari Grad into a total nightmare! Starting July 14, 2024, the parking zones in this municipality will be redefined and split into purple, red, and white zones. The purple zone, now expanded to cover part of the former red zone, allows parking for only 30 minutes, with the option to extend. The red zone, formerly yellow, allows parking for 60 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes extension. The white zone, new and covering part of the former green zone in Donji Dorćol, allows parking for 60 minutes, with the possibility to extend for another 60 minutes.
But wait, there’s more! Parking fees will now apply on weekends too: Saturdays from 7 AM to 10 PM, and Sundays from 7 AM to 2 PM! Yes, you read that right – you’ll have to pay for parking on Sundays now! Residents of Stari Grad will keep their current parking conditions, but everyone else – get your wallets ready!
Belgrade city is pushing for sustainable urban mobility, encouraging public transport use, which will be free starting January 1, 2025. But who wants to wait for a bus when you can just pay for parking? Visitors to the city center are urged to use public transport or public parking garages, which offer about 3,000 parking spots across locations like Obilićev Venac, Pionirski Park, Zeleni Venac, Masarikova, Rajićeva, Botanička Bašta, Palilulska Pijaca, Kalemegdan, Vidin Kapija, and Donji Grad.
This parking zone redefinition was done based on residents’ initiative, but it’s clear many citizens will be furious about the new rules and extra costs. Cities worldwide are adopting sustainable urban mobility concepts, but is this really the right way?
If you thought parking in Belgrade was already complicated, now it’s a full-blown nightmare! Who wants to pay for parking on Sundays? What do you think about these changes? Is this a step towards a better city or just another way to empty our pockets? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for or against this madness!
