HCM City will increase automobile parking fees on some sidewalks and roadsides in the city centre to VNĐ20,000-40,000 (US$0.9-1.8) per hour from June 1.

HCM City will increase automobile parking fees on some sidewalks and roadsides in the city’s centre to VNĐ20,000-40,000 (US$0.9-1.8) per hour from June 1. 

The adjustment of automobile parking fees was approved by the People’s Council last Friday in an aim to reduce the number of cars parked on pavements and roads.

Automobiles will be categorised into two groups and charged accordingly.

The fee for vehicles that have less than nine seats and trucks weighing up to 1.5 tonnes will be VNĐ20,000-25,000 ($0.9-1.1) per hour for the first and second hours, VNĐ25,000-30,000 ($1.1-1.3) for the third and fourth hours, and VNĐ30,000-35,000 ($1.3-1.5) from the fifth hour or more.

Vehicles with 10-16 seats and trucks weighing 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes will be charged VNĐ25,000-30,000 per hour for the first and second hours, VNĐ30,000-35,000 for the third and fourth, and VNĐ35,000-40,000 for the fifth or more.

The new rates will apply on streets where parking is allowed on roadsides and sidewalks in districts 1, 3, 5, 10 and 11 from 6am-midnight daily.

Automobile owners can pay parking fees via their mobile phone accounts or bank accounts.

The new rates are expected to be 20-25 per cent higher than fees at parking lots at shopping malls, office buildings and apartment buildings in the city.

Parking fees are currently around VNĐ5,000 ($0.22), irrespective of the length of time. — VNS