Ronda is set to implement its first ‘blue zone’ parking tax as from December, with 174 spaces being available in the Concepción (free) car parking area.
An electronic system is being set up to control the entry and exit of vehicles and the automatic generation of reports and fines for those who overstay their welcome. The system requires no staffing or barriers and drivers only have to go to the machine and pay when they leave the parking area.
The ‘blue zone’ will operate from 10.00 to 14.00 and from 16.30 to 20.30 Monday to Friday and from 10.00 to 14.00 on Saturdays. Outside these hours and on Sundays, parking will not be regulated.
The concessionaire for the parking area, Smart Traffic S. L. U., will receive 7% of the revenue and €10.00 plus IVA for all those who get fined for exceeding the maximum two-hour parking time.
The parking charge will be €0.30 for thirty minutes, €0.70 for one hour, €1.10 for ninety minutes and €1.50 for the full two hours.
Blue zone parking areas are set up on the pretext of improving traffic circulation and encouraging rotation of vehicles in a given area, usually a shopping area. However, it seems more akin to a peak-hour parking tax and could surely be more effective if such slots were limited by time but free and with a hefty fine for infringement.
All that is happening is that a free parking area is being turned into a paid parking area at certain times of day.