Solar-Powered Parking Payment Machines Installed in Riyadh

Riyadh is making parking easier and greener as it has installed over 60 solar-powered parking payment machines across the city. This move is part of the Riyadh Parking project, aiming to enhance the parking experience for residents and visitors alike.

The project targets over 2,000 public parking spots on commercial streets and more than 17,000 unpaid spaces in residential areas. The goal is to reduce improper parking and make finding a spot hassle-free for both residents and visitors. This initiative is a significant step towards organized public parking in Riyadh.

What to expect in the first phase

The Riyadh Parking project, with its solar-powered payment machines, has already seen impressive engagement. The project website received over 500,000 visits during its trial phase. Additionally, over 7,000 users have registered on the mobile application, which offers several secure payment methods, including digital payments. The app is available on both iOS and Android, making it accessible to a wide audience.

The Riyadh Parking app distinguishes between residents’ vehicles and others, ensuring locals have priority access to unpaid parking spaces. This feature helps protect residential neighborhoods from being overwhelmed by non-resident vehicles avoiding paid parking areas.

During the trial phase with the solar-powered machines, parking fees have been waived. This gives users a chance to familiarize themselves with the new system. Come October, when authorities officially launch the parking payment system, they will introduce an hourly for paid public spaces.

The first phase of the project covers 12 areas in neighborhoods such as Al-Wurood, Al-Rahmaniyah, Gharb AlUlya, Al-Morouj, King Fahd, and Al-Sulaymaniyah.

Solar power for a greener parking experience

A standout feature of the Riyadh Parking project is its sustainability. The solar-powered machines are an eco-friendly solution, helping reduce the city’s carbon footprint. This aligns with Riyadh’s broader goals of promoting green initiatives and improving the quality of life for its residents.

This initiative is bound to stimulate commercial activity in areas adjacent to public parking facilities. By making parking more accessible and organized, Riyadh is setting a new standard for urban mobility. Travelers visiting the city can look forward to a smoother, more efficient parking experience.

More than the solar-powered payment machines, the Riyadh parking project will help enhance the quality of life through systematized public parking, decreasing cases of illegal parking, and reducing traffic congestion. Through improved traffic management, authorities hope to rejuvenate local economies and bolster activity near public parking areas.

Riyadh’s new solar-powered parking payment machines are a win for both the environment and the community. This project not only makes parking easier but also supports the city’s sustainability goals. Finding a parking spot in Riyadh just got a whole lot simpler.

Other parking initiatives in the kingdom

It was in August 2024 when the Riyadh Mayoralty first announced the first phase of its Riyadh Parking project. A month later came the installation of the solar-powered payment machines.

This is possible through the collaboration between the municipality’s development arm Remat Al-Riyadh Development Company and digital transformation company, STC. The partnership between the two companies will help manage, operate, and maintain public parking spaces in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, in November 2023, developers introduced a tech solution to protect parking spaces for people with special needs. This was at the 2023 Al-Ahsa Forum for Startups.

Photo by Ali Asiri on Unsplash Photo by Ali Asiri on Unsplash