The expansion of paid parking zones is a good means of reducing traffic flows in the central parts of cities, believes Luminor bank economist Žygymantas Mauricas.
"If you manage to control the situation well, it is a good measure, because parking or infrastructure tax is one of the better examples of car taxes. Residents of the city have many other transport alternatives, it is not necessary to go to the central part of the city with a car," said Ž. Maurice.
According to him, that tax has a considerable component of the luxury tax.
"It is not universal, in regions or city suburbs the car is the only means of transportation, and in the central part of the city other alternatives can be used," said the economist.
Big cities have a number of challenges due to congestion in the central parts of the city, and charging for car parking, according to Ž. Maurico, is one of the more effective ways to reduce congestion.
"For example, if the pollution tax is introduced, I don't think it will have a significant impact on the number of cars in the central parts of the city. Some people simply won't go to the central part of the city with their own car because it will be expensive to park," said Ž. Maurice.
True, according to the economist, after expanding the taxed parking zones, it is necessary to invest in the infrastructure.
"This is a good motivation to deal with parking. Parking should be paid for in the whole city of Vilnius, the fee for apartment buildings is more symbolic, but this would encourage the municipality to fix the infrastructure, because now cars are parked anywhere - on the grass, in children's playgrounds and the like. This would be the meaning of that tax, because in exchange for that, the municipality should manage the infrastructure," said the economist.
ELTA reminds that Vilnius city municipalities The council on Wednesday approved a submission to consider the issue of expanding parking zones in the capital.
It is being considered that the blue zone will include the former red zone and a part of the yellow zone at Lukiškės and Gynėju street, where traffic has increased significantly in the last year.
It would become a red zone Uzhupis, Old Town access from Pylimo street, Konstitucijos st. accesses where business centers are concentrated, the number of attractions is increasing, and the area between Gediminas Ave., J. Jasinskis and A. Rotund Streets.
The yellow zone would cover the part of Žvērynas between Latvii and Paribis streets, the area near the former "Audeja" center, the Paupios quarter, parts of Naujamiestis and Šnipiškės up to Žalgiris street.
The part of Antakalnis around the Sapiegi Park would become the green zone, which was also approved by the residents of this area.
In the blue zone, parking costs EUR 0,50 for 12 minutes - a total of EUR 2,5 per hour, in the red zone - EUR 1,5.
The Vilnius City Council will consider this issue in the future.
