Bjelovar Mayor: Zero Parking Zone Results Exceed Expectations
Dario Hrebak says that only 55 parking spaces converted to the zero zone out of nearly 2,500 total drastically reduced congestion and freed up space in downtown Bjelovar.
Dario Hrebak says that only 55 parking spaces converted to the zero zone out of nearly 2,500 total drastically reduced congestion and freed up space in downtown Bjelovar.
Nearly three months have passed since the introduction of the zero parking zone in downtown Bjelovar, and Mayor Dario Hrebak says the results have exceeded all expectations. In the zero zone, parking is limited to a maximum of two hours, with fees charged from Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 8 PM and on Saturdays from 7 AM to 2 PM. The hourly rate is 1 euro, reports Klikni.hr.
Hrebak emphasizes that only 55 parking spaces were converted to the zero zone out of nearly 2,500 that Bjelovar has in total, and the effect, he says, is incredible.
"Namely, we converted just 55 parking spaces into the zero zone out of nearly 2,500 parking spaces. It's incredible how much that number has left parking spaces open and reduced traffic congestion. We'll see how things go when our citizens return from their summer vacations and whether things will get worse, but right now the situation is really good. Whenever someone comes to the city center, they can find a free parking spot, which wasn't the case before. Everything turned out much better than I thought it would," says Hrebak.
The mayor adds that the decision by the Bjelovar-Bilogora County to make parking near the hospital free has also helped. However, he notes one drawback of that solution.
"Everyone goes and flocks to the hospital parking lot, where, unfortunately, the least likely to park are patients and people who actually need parking. But that's not our responsibility," Hrebak states.
To ensure the rules are followed, municipal wardens regularly patrol the zone and check whether citizens are adhering to the restrictions. For those who ignore the rules, a daily zero-zone ticket of 15 euros is provided, which also allows parking in the first and second zones.
