The City of Helsinki will turn 1,400 previously free-of-charge parking spaces in the inner city into paid parking spaces. These spaces have been time-limited parking disc spaces. The parking spaces to be turned into paid parking spaces are located in parking zone 2, where on-street parking is already subject to a charge.
For example, in the Vallila industrial area, the decision applies to approximately 280 parking spaces, in the vicinity of Laakso Hospital to approximately 100 parking spaces, in the Kalasatama and Tukkutori area to approximately 300 parking spaces and in Hernesaari to approximately 175 parking spaces. All spaces to be turned into paid parking spaces are shown on the map provided.
Harmonisation of parking rules and restrictions
After the change, the spaces being turned into paid parking spaces will be subject to the same parking rules and restrictions, like price and maximum parking time, as the other parking spaces in the same areas. The change aims to contribute to the achievement of Helsinki’s climate goals. The decision is in line with the city’s transport and climate goals, but it will also serve users of parking spaces well.
“When the parking spaces are subject to a charge their availability improves, as they are no-longer used for long-term parking,” says Traffic Engineer Elina Rundell of the Urban Environment Division.
Based on Helsinki’s parking policy and City Council’s initiative
In April 2016, the City Board decided on new zones for parking charges. In the same connection, it was decided to put an end to the free-of-charge but time-limited parking in the inner city, that is in zones 1 and 2.
In autumn 2022, the City Council approved an initiative calling for the conversion of the last free-of-charge parking spaces in the inner city into paid parking spaces. The initiative addressed in particular the issue of parking spaces in the inner city area where free-of-charge parking has been allowed for a maximum of 24 hours. In addition to these, some parking spaces that have allowed free-of-charge parking for two hours will now be turned into paid parking spaces according to the city’s parking policy. These are located, for example, in the vicinity of the Wholesale Market.
Final traffic and street planning decisions on the parking changes are to be made in the spring. After that, the change will be implemented so that new parking restrictions will be in force in all areas within this year. Users of parking spaces should watch out for traffic sign updates.
