JEDDAH — Most motorists in Jeddah are still unaware of the paid parking system in Balad and caught off guard when given tickets for parking without paying. Citizens and residents have urged the company that manages the paid parking lots to enlighten the public about the system and ensure adequate supply of coins to use the facility. The municipality introduced the system with the support of a private company to streamline parking in downtown Jeddah. Vehicles parked in the area without a slip from the pay park meter are towed away by authorities and the motorists end up in paying fines. Ali Mohammed Al-Amoudi, a Saudi business executive, said he was not aware of the system. He parked the car near Souk Al-Junoub for a few minutes and was told to pay SR3. He said the company's supervisor gave him a ticket for SR100 for parking under the Sitteen Bridge, opposite Balad Municipality. "This happened because of a lack of public awareness about the paid parking system in downtown Jeddah," Al-Amoudi told Al-Madinah daily. Explaining the Souk Al-Junoub incident, he said: "I came to the market to purchase something and parked my car there for less than 10 minutes. While returning I found an official of the parking company taking a photograph of my car for violating the parking law. "Actually I was not aware of the pay parking system and when I asked the official how to get coins to pay for parking, he said I have to get it from the SAMA office," he said. Al-Amoudi said the company did not show any leniency toward him because of his old age and sickness, in addition to his ignorance of the new system. Madhat Mohammed had a different story to tell. He said the company official insisted that his car should be towed away from the parking lot even after paying the fine of SR200. "I requested the man several times not to tow my car and that I would go with him and pay the fine but the official insisted on towing the car away," he said. Adel Bin Ishaq, a Saudi living in Sulaimaniya district, also received a ticket for parking in Balad. "I did not know about the new parking system and that I have to pay for parking in Balad." Many expatriate drivers also complained about the lack of an awareness program to educate the public about the new system.
