As of January 1, 2027, commercial tickets will increase, while preferential rates for islanders and payroll users remain unchanged. Citizens are unhappy because even with a paid ticket, there is often no available spot.
The announcement of parking ticket price increases at the Dubrovnik Port, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, has met with strong disapproval from some citizens. The main complaint is not just the higher price, but also the fact that despite having a paid annual ticket, they often cannot find an available parking spot.
The President of the Management Board of the Dubrovnik Port, Željko Raguž, explained in an interview with Dulist that the increase will apply only to commercial rates, while preferential categories remain untouched.
"The price increase goes into effect on January 1, 2027, but in a way that we are only now reaching the level of parking prices seen in other parts of the city. After all, the Port is an exclusive area in that regard," said Raguž.
Raguž emphasized that preferential rates for islanders will remain in effect, as will the agreed rates with the city utility company Sanitat for users coming to the nearby market. "All of that stays. But these commercial rates for hourly parking, semi-annual, and annual tickets are going up," he added.
When asked about the issue of a lack of spots for annual ticket holders, Raguž pointed out that this is not unique to the Dubrovnik Port. "We all pay for Sanitat tickets and still cannot find a spot at any given moment. We have July and August, daily visitors coming in, and we cannot always know how many there will be," he said.
The President of the Management Board explained that at parking lots A and B, there is a hierarchy of parking spots. "We have preferential spots that are not under the barriers but are under a switch. These are exclusive spots where you will always find a place and can come with any license plate. The other spots are under the barrier and are tied to the vehicle, i.e., the registration that leased the parking spot," he explained.
At the two locations, there are just under 200 parking spots under the barrier, and demand, according to Raguž, is enormous. "We have an excessive number of inquiries from those we currently cannot accommodate, who would pay even more, as well as from our fellow citizens, so people cannot get a turn," he said.
Raguž concluded that no one is forced to use the Port's services and that there are other parking options nearby. "No one is forced to take parking in the Dubrovnik Port area. There are other places that are not too far away, such as Pemo, the Atlant Center garage, city parking lots, and similar," he said.
