AZE.US
Drivers in Baku are complaining about the rising cost of private parking, particularly in the city center, where leaving a vehicle for a full working day can cost as much as 20 manats ($11.76).
As AZE.US reports, parking fees at 28 Mall and Ganjlik Mall were previously increased from 1 manat to 2 manats for the first hour.
The published rates are:
- Up to one hour: 2 manats ($1.18)
- One to two hours: 3 manats ($1.76)
- Two to three hours: 6 manats ($3.53)
- Three to five hours: 8 manats ($4.71)
- Five to seven hours: 12 manats ($7.06)
- Seven to 24 hours: 20 manats ($11.76)
A driver leaving a car there throughout the working day could therefore spend 440 manats ($259) over 22 working days.
Similar rates apply at Port Baku Mall, according to its official website. The first 15 minutes are free, while one hour costs 2 manats, two hours cost 4 manats and three hours cost 6 manats. Parking for between seven and 24 hours costs 20 manats.
The prices are substantially lower at state-operated parking facilities.
In Baku’s central street-parking zone, the official rate is 1 manat ($0.59) per hour. The first 15 minutes are free, while no charge is imposed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or on Sundays.
The underground parking facility beneath Winter Park is cheaper for longer stays:
- Up to two hours: 1 manat
- Two to four hours: 2 manats
- Four to six hours: 3 manats
- Six to 10 hours: 4 manats
- Ten to 12 hours: 5 manats
- Twelve to 24 hours: 8 manats
Monthly access for up to 12 hours per day costs 80 manats ($47), while a 24-hour subscription costs 120 manats ($71). Residents of neighboring buildings are offered a 50-manat ($29) monthly rate.
The comparison shows the size of the gap. An eight-hour stay costs approximately 8 manats on a state-operated street, 4 manats beneath Winter Park and as much as 20 manats at some privately operated shopping center parking facilities.
Experts note that the state-approved parking schedule does not apply to private operators, which are free to set their own prices. However, they argue that tariffs should be clearly displayed and transparent to drivers.
Without greater transparency, parking in central Baku risks becoming a major household expense. At some facilities, the monthly cost of leaving a car during working hours is already comparable to a loan payment or the rental price of a room.
AZE.US