Rome’s ‘Parking Revolution’ Aims to Boost City Revenue
Rome, January 11 – The city of Rome is preparing for a significant overhaul of its parking system, with plans to expand paid parking zones by an additional 30,000 spaces. This initiative will increase the total number of ‘blue lines’ (paid parking spots) from 70,000 to 100,000. The draft resolution, based on preliminary studies by the Mobility Department and Roma Servizi per la Mobilità, is expected to be presented to the city council by the end of the month for approval.
The expansion of paid parking is seen as a crucial economic lever for the city, particularly in the final stretch of the current administration. In 2024, revenue from blue lines amounted to 32 million euros, and with the new system fully operational, estimates suggest this figure could rise to 45 million euros annually.
New System for Overnight Parking
Beyond the increase in blue lines, the ‘parking revolution’ also introduces a new system for monetizing overnight parking in interchange car parks near major subway hubs. These areas, often used for extended vehicle storage, will be equipped with optical detectors capable of reconstructing the duration of stay based on license plate recognition.
Affected Neighborhoods and Resident Protests
The resolution stipulates that all white lines (free parking) falling within the first and second zones of the Pgtu (General Urban Traffic Plan) – specifically, the area within the Aurelian Walls and the area enclosed by the railway ring – will be converted to blue lines. Additionally, new blue lines will be established in several neighborhoods across the city, including:
- Montesacro: Specifically, the area around Jonio metro station, delimited by Piazzale Jonio, Viale Jonio, Via Monte Rocchetta, Via delle Isole Curzolane, and Via di Valle Melaina.
- Pigneto: The area encompassing Via Prenestina, Via Casilina, Piazza del Pigneto, Via Fanfulla da Lodi, Via Giovanni De Agostini, and Via del Pigneto.
- Porta Portese, Ostiense-Garbatella (North and South), Ostiense-San Paolo.
- Eur and Ostia-Lido: Including Lungomare, Lido Ponente, Lido Levante, and Litoranea. In these coastal areas, hourly parking fees will only apply during summer months and on specific days of the week.
As anticipated, these plans have sparked considerable opposition from residents’ committees. The Pigneto-Prenestino committee, for instance, has voiced strong objections to the decision, criticizing it as being ‘imposed from above’ without prior consultation with citizens. Their concerns extend beyond the financial burden, highlighting the potential negative impact on traffic and neighborhood cohesion. They argue that the blue lines, by following the railway ring, would effectively divide the neighborhood in two, leading to an overcrowding of cars at the zone’s borders.
Furthermore, residents of Pigneto criticize the proposed parking hours, noting that the area experiences its highest influx of visitors in the evenings due to its vibrant nightlife. Similar protests are underway in Montesacro, where a petition against the increase in paid parking spaces has been launched. Many residents there express a common sentiment: ‘All this just to make money,’ while local businesses fear a significant drop in customer traffic.
The city administration maintains that the expansion of paid parking is a necessary step to manage urban mobility and generate essential revenue for public services. However, the widespread discontent among residents suggests that the implementation of this ‘parking revolution’ may face ongoing challenges and debate.
The debate surrounding Rome’s parking reform highlights the delicate balance between urban planning, financial necessity, and the daily lives of its citizens. As the resolution moves through the city council, the impact on traffic flow, local economies, and resident satisfaction will be closely watched.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_gennaio_11/rivoluzione-sosta-a-roma-aumentano-le-strisce-blu-gli-stalli-a-pagamento-diventano-100mila-e465f866-c5a7-4ab3-a4b5-178ff6168xlk.shtml
