50 euros to park in the centre:the experiment in Holland to discourage the use of the machine

“We want people to get around on foot, by bike or by public transport, and only when all this is not possible take the car,” explained the spokesperson of the Municipality of The Hague

Fifty euros to park in the centre.Thus the Hague administration hopes to solve a problem that afflicts many European and global cities:the streets full of parked cars that prevent those who drive freely.The price, approximately 10 times the average rate requested so far, will be fixed, regardless of the duration of the parking, but will not apply to all city car parks, but only to those on some streets that are particularly clogged with cars.For example, the promenade that runs along Scheveningen beach and the streets surrounding the popular destination for surfers and holidaymakers on the North Sea.In fact, for some time, residents have complained about the impossibility of finding a space for their car, especially on sunny days.The experiment is not new, given that it has already been successfully attempted in other Dutch municipalities such as the university city of Leiden, but the objective is to understand if it can work in a city of half a million inhabitants, home to the Dutch Parliament, the government, the Royal Palace, and all foreign embassies present in the country, as well as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Cars are not prohibited

Jurriaan Esser, spokesperson for the city administration, quoted by Guardian, made it known that the experiment will last a year, and that the streets where the experiment will be put into practice have been chosen so as to be able to effectively evaluate any side effects of the new policy.Business owners and residents will be given special permits to park for free.«We want people to get around on foot – declared Esser – or possibly by bicycle and public transport, and only when all this is not possible take the car».Specifying:«It doesn't mean that cars are not allowed in the city, but simply that if the distance to travel is short, it is better to move on your own two feet.It's not only better for the environment, but it also reduces travel times."While some shopkeepers fear that the new measure will reduce their turnover - even if the data prove the opposite – those in favor of sustainable transport point out that The Hague would not do enough to discourage car use, despite the city having an enviable pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.