Discussing its roadmap for the year, the parking operator said, “approximately 5,500 to 7,500 new spaces are expected to be added over the course of 2026, driving revenues for the public parking segment to reach between AED 560 million and AED 610 million (USD 166 million).”

The infrastructure expansion will be accomplished through the opening of additional on-street and open-air parking slots, representing a 3.9% increase over the current public parking portfolio of 193,200 spaces. It is also worth mentioning that the venture last year entered into a strategic agreement with Dubai Holding, to introduce parking solutions across several master-planned communities in Dubai.

Parkin will oversee end-to-end management of parking operations by deploying its advanced digital technologies, enforcement systems and real-time data analytics, which will help the public parking provider to enhance its operational efficiency, apart from optimising parking management across the designated areas. Implementing the concept of controlled parking will reduce the increasing pressure on parking availability across key destinations in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Parkin has made public its operational and financial results for Q4 and the full year 2025. Apart from the overall revenue increasing to AED1.326 billion (USD 361 million) in 2025, up 43% year-on-year, net profit reached AED625.5 million (USD 170.32 million), representing an annual increase of 48%.

In Q4 alone, Parkin posted record revenues of AED389.4 million, marking a 47% increase compared to the tally registered in 2024. The company’s earnings before financing costs, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), on the other hand, reached AED232.9 million, reflecting similar growth, while maintaining a 60% margin.

“We closed 2025 with a strong quarter, converting disciplined execution into higher earnings. As in prior periods, we continued to expand our operational footprint, adding both public and developer parking spaces to our portfolio, supported by Dubai’s status as a world-class place to live, work, visit, and invest,” said Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin.

Breaking down the data segment-wise, Parkin’s public parking revenue increased 29% to AED144.5 million in Q4, supported by factors like an increase in the weighted average hourly tariff to AED3.03 and an increase in the size of the public parking portfolio.

Developer parking revenue, on the other hand, increased 38% to AED28.1 million during the same period, supported by space growth, stronger transaction volumes and the application of the variable tariff in relation to around one third of the developer portfolio.

The company also witnessed revenue increases from seasonal cards and permits in Q4 2025, rising 66% to AED67.4 million. Enforcement revenue increased by 65% to AED127.1 million during the period.

“Seasonal card sales reached record highs as customers continued to recognise the relative value offered by this product. Total transaction volumes were broadly in line with the same period last year, while utilisation moderated as expected, reflecting a greater mix of seasonal card users, as well as the addition of new parking space capacity,” concluded Al Ali.

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In 2024, public hospitals in New South Wales received nearly $51 million from parking fees. That was more than the $30.02 million in 2023. As per RMIT University’s senior faculty members Lisa Farrell and Meg Elkins, while the move may have sounded tempting for health infrastructures to exploit a captive market, the reality is much more complex, if one brings disciplines like economics, finance, and behavioural business into play.

Mismatch between supply and demand

Price is the means by which supply and demand are balanced, according to basic economics. This price is referred to as the equilibrium price. When supply cannot keep up with demand, prices increase.

“Due to the limited number of parking spots, urban hospitals face market conditions that, predictably, result in higher prices. In certain situations, however, suppliers may charge more than the equilibrium price if there is still a need for parking despite the cost, according to economics. In short, this ‘inelastic demand’ implies that a captive audience can be charged more,” said Farrell and Elkins.

“Hospital visitors and patients could be considered a captive audience. Although public transportation is well-served by many hospitals, patients and visitors are frequently too ill or time-constrained to utilise it. They are therefore forced to pay for parking. Visitors must drive because public transportation is either non-existent or very limited in rural hospitals. Do hospitals have a reason for charging such high prices, or are they price gouging, setting prices above what is deemed fair or reasonable, or are they exploiting the inelastic demand for parking?” asked the duo.

Hospital parking lots in desirable areas attract not only patients and visitors but also city workers and tourists seeking convenient parking. Parking spaces are kept available for hospital users by discouraging these users with high fees. High costs discourage overstaying in hospitals. Because of this, they are unable to engage in non-hospital activities (like shopping) following their hospital visit or appointment and before getting back to their cars.

Hospitals also charge high prices to raise revenue for health care. NSW Health said in a statement to the ABC earlier this year that additional funds generated from parking are used to fund medical facilities and services.

Makes sense to encourage visitors

“However, it might be a false economy to increase parking fees in order to fund hospital budgets. We are aware that hospital visitors play a significant part in patients’ recuperation. Therefore, extended hospital stays for their loved ones may result if high parking fees discourage guests or caregivers. More visits could result from less expensive parking, which would cut down on hospital stays and save a lot of money per patient,” remarked Farrell and Elkins.

Lisa witnessed this firsthand when her father, who has dementia, was admitted to the hospital.

“The hospital provided free hospital parking and round-the-clock visitor access for caregivers, like my mother, in this instance. For dementia patients, who frequently become confused while in the hospital, access should be available around the clock. Known as sundowning, this disorientation usually gets worse in the evening. The presence of carers allowed staff to concentrate on medical concerns. It made it easier to visit during off-peak hours, when parking is less of a problem and dementia patients usually require additional assistance,” she noted.

The high demand for a limited number of parking spots, which are rationed to those with the most money, is reflected in the high parking prices. Rationing based on need, or improving patient well-being, is a better option. Charging different users different prices is the economic solution.

By making concessions, the majority of hospitals have already accomplished this. However, concessions may vary by state or hospital. It can be difficult for some people to determine whether they qualify for concession-rate parking, and not everyone is aware that it is available.

“Therefore, before parking at a hospital, be aware of the fees and any available discounts if you are worried about the cost. The websites of most hospitals have this information. At the moment, most concessions are determined by income, including having a concession card. However, we must make a bigger change to offer need-based concession rates. For instance, accommodations are needed for long-stay patients to promote their well-being. Hospital parking fees for regular users should be capped nationwide, according to the media campaign,” Farrell and Elkins observed.

Although most parking lots have a daily cap, frequent visitors may soon accrue substantial bills from hospital visits for weeks or months. Many patients incur yearly parking expenses, especially those who need frequent treatments like dialysis.

Concession rates for hospital visitors should be granted based on need rather than just income. Patient welfare and the value of visitors to the healing process should guide needs. Proper rules are required towards this direction, especially for those who use the hospital parking lot, to streamline the procedure.

Considerations for long-term solutions, such as relocating hospitals away from desirable locations, are important when building new facilities or expanding existing ones. This approach could reduce the appeal of parking for individuals who do not use hospitals. Healthcare systems face the challenge of balancing the ethical principles of access and equity, which are vital for providing essential care, with the operational necessity of cost recovery.

“Meanwhile, with 1,190 parking spaces, Blackpool Victoria Hospital was ranked seventh in the UK. Costing £2.70 per car for two hours of parking, the car park can earn a potential revenue of £3,213 within two hours at maximum car park occupancy. This placed Blackpool Victoria, after Salford Royal, Darent Valley, Furness General, and Poole, as the fifth cheapest hospital in the UK to park at,” said Farrell and Elkins.

Moreover, there are 3,388 parking spaces at Manchester Royal Infirmary, which has the most parking spaces and could make over £10,000. Because it serves a large area and has a high volume of patients, staff, and visitors, this Manchester hospital, one of the biggest in the UK, needs a sizable parking facility. At £7.00 for two hours, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has the highest parking fee. Given that the hospital is situated in one of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, the cost of parking there might be a reflection of both the area’s high parking demand and the hospital’s location.

Hospital parking fees, while justified as revenue sources, can impose emotional and financial burdens on vulnerable families. A shift to need-based concessions and ethical pricing is urgently needed.

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Executives in the insurance sector warned that claims made by drivers in the Gulf nation for rain-related damage to their wipers, as well as for parking and driving in submerged areas, may be rejected.

Vehicle owners can submit insurance claims for their vehicles, but there are restrictions, according to Moin ur Rehman, executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker.

“If the owner of the car moved it away to the garage for maintenance after it flooded due to severe rains while it was parked in the parking lot, the insurance will pay for the repairs,” the official stated, while clarifying that the insurance company might deny the claim if the owner parked the vehicle in a wet or partially submerged place and attempted to start it, only to find that the engine was flawed.

The UAE in April 2024 had one of the heaviest rainfalls, flooding parking lots, highways, and wadis. Following significant rainfall and thunderstorms, authorities nationwide issued a red alert. As per the latest update from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the weather forecast till April 26 looks gloomy, resulting in light-to-moderate rains over some regions of the country.

Furthermore, Rehman said that the insurance companies may still deny the claim if drivers purposefully drive on a flooded road during a downpour.

“Therefore, use caution when driving in flooded areas. To make sure their auto insurance covers floods and other natural disasters, I advise customers to carefully read the terms and conditions before purchasing. In certain cases, insurers disregard claims and exclude these conditions,” according to the executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker.

It’s crucial to remember that this pertains to comprehensive insurance policies as opposed to third-party auto insurance.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai recommended people to use the metro and stay away from personal vehicles to help drivers avoid becoming stranded in water ponds.

According to Avinash Babur, CEO of the insurancemarket.ae, neglecting basic services like roadside assistance and insurance policies that guard against natural disasters like floods and rain can result in situations where people think they are insured for certain damages but aren’t.

“A comprehensive plan is usually suggested, but some clients believe a third-party liability (TPL) cover would typically be sufficient,” he remarked.

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With these digital permits, the beneficiaries will be able to add up to five vehicles per permit and activate them whenever these individuals want by using the RTA website or app.

Through this initiative, the Dubai RTA will be keen to transform its services into smart and proactive ones, in line with Dubai’s vision of being a smart city.

The initiative also aims to enhance customers’ happiness, especially senior Emiratis and people of determination who form an integral part of the UAE community, by giving the latter free parking.

These free parking permits will include a range of services, including the issuing and renewing permits that will allow a beneficiary to use the Emirati city’s public parking for free.

The initiative also includes free permanent and temporary permits for people of determination, a free tourist parking permit for people of determination, a free parking permit for rehabilitation centres for people of determination, and a free parking permit for those with medical conditions, thus allowing the latter to use public parking and allocated people of determination parking spaces.

As per reports, the Dubai RTA has been working towards digitisation for a while now.

“It recently introduced a paperless violation system by fitting vehicles with scanners and deploying a smart supervisor that issues electronic tickets. Fines are then displayed on the smart app or the website,” stated a TimeOut report.

In April 2023, Dubai RTA announced free parking service for the Emirati citizens near their homes.

Under the scheme, the beneficiaries would be able to apply for a special permit online, which would allow these individuals to park for free near their houses. The free parking service was extended to all paid public parking areas within a radius of 500 metres from the place of residence.

“Citizens can submit their applications via the RTA website. The authority requires a copy of the Emirates ID, a valid Ejari, and proof of vehicle ownership,” stated a Khaleej Times report.

“The number of free permits awarded to each household depends on the size of the house. A residence with a room and a hall or a studio gets two permits, one with two rooms and a hall gets 3 permits, and one with 3 rooms and a hall gets 4 permits for free,” it added further.

“According to the guidelines and procedures outlined on the website, processing of the application takes only two working days. If the application has been approved, the permit will be sent via email,” the report concluded, while explaining the process.

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