A kingdom-wide rollout of solar-powered smart parking meters is still crawling along in Bahrain – despite promises of a 12-month trial launch back in 2024.
So far, only parts of the Old Muharraq Suq have seen the sleek new machines replace the kingdom’s ageing coin-operated meters, leaving motorists elsewhere still scrambling for loose change while nervously watching the clock tick towards hefty fines.
The meters in Muharraq
Municipal leaders are now piling pressure on authorities to fast-track the modernisation drive, arguing that Bahrain risks being left behind while cities around the world embrace cashless smart parking systems.
Mr Tarradah
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said the successful Muharraq trial already proved the technology works and should be expanded without delay.
“It doesn’t need a year to test something that is clearly successful,” Mr Tarradah told the GDN. “The Muharraq rollout proved that people are ready to use the new system.
“This is exactly like the transition we saw with fuel payments through BenefitPay – motorists adapted immediately once the option was available. The same should be done here, without hesitation.”
He said the solar-powered meters offered far more than convenience.
“Payments can be made instantly through a smartphone from BenefitPay or contactless card as done now in Muharraq, cutting down wasted time,” he explained. “It also reduces the cost and effort of maintaining coin-operated meters, while providing digital data on parking usage that can help optimise planning.
“By eliminating paper tickets and coins, we also contribute to waste reduction and lower our carbon footprint.”
Mr Tarradah added that smart parking systems were now considered essential features of modern cities.
“As Bahrain adopts smart parking technology, the future of urban parking will become increasingly cashless and connected, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable progress,” he said.
Mr Abdullatif
Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif said motorists had grown tired of outdated parking machines that often turn a simple shopping trip into a stressful experience.
“People are fed up running back-and-forth to feed coins into machines, panicking whenever a minute lapses in fear of being fined up to BD100 on the spot,” he said.
“A modern, seamless system will reduce unnecessary stress and make life easier for shoppers.”
Mr Abdullatif warned that old parking systems were even damaging local businesses in some areas.
“People simply avoided certain areas because they didn’t want the hassle of finding coins or risking fines,” he claimed.
“This modernisation will bring people back to these shopping districts and improve economic activity, while also restoring public confidence in parking systems.”
Mr Al Naar
Meanwhile, Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the limited rollout in Muharraq was nowhere near enough.
“The idea has been welcomed by the public, but one small section is not enough to properly serve residents and visitors,” he said.
“We need to see the project expanded across commercial areas, markets and busy districts throughout Bahrain as quickly as possible.”
The solar-powered meters support electronic payments through smartphone apps, contactless bank cards and number plate recognition technology – eliminating the need for coins or paper tickets altogether.
Current on-street parking charges remain at 100 fils for 30 minutes, with a maximum stay of two hours between 7am and 7pm. Violators face fines between BD50 and BD100, halved if settled within a week.
Residents and shop owners in areas such as Manama, Hoora, Gudaibiya, Riffa and Isa Town have repeatedly complained that traditional coin-operated meters discouraged shoppers, particularly those caught without spare change.
Now, with only Muharraq partially plugged into Bahrain’s smart parking future, many motorists are wondering just how much longer the kingdom’s rollout will stay stuck in neutral.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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