Enhanced parking fees in Vladivostok attributed to their increased demand

Parking Rate Hike: The Impact on Vladivostok

Here's the lowdown on why parking rates doubled in the city of Vladivostok. The city administratorsReason behind the increased parking tariffs is attributed to several factors.

First and foremost, the last review of the tariff was in 2022, leaving room for indexing. Secondly, the tariff policy was aligned with the federal methodology approved by the Russian Ministry of Transport's order No. АК-188-Р of 07.09.2023. This methodology aims to maintain parking lot occupancy rates at around 70% to 85%. If the indicator falls outside this range, adjustments to the fee become necessary.

Let's talk about the affected areas in Vladivostok. The territorial zones with the highest occupancy rates include the city center on streets like Svetlanskaya, Admiral Fokin, Mordovtseva, Fontannaya, Semenovskaya, Pologaya, Utkinskaya, and 1st Maritime. Consequently, the hourly tariff for these locations has been revised.

The administration also considered factors such as the average per capita income in the Primorsky Krai and the current fare for public transport when determining the new tariff for paid parking.

So, what's the verdict? Has the city seen any improvements since the parking fee hike?

According to the authorities, changes in the city’s transport policy have been positive after the introduction of the paid parking system. For example, there's been a noticeable decrease in the number of cars on the roads and traffic congestion. Emergency response times have also been reduced due to the absence of haphazardly parked cars, making it easier for emergency services to reach their destinations quickly.

However, it's essential to understand local residents' opinions on these changes. PrimaMedia news agency hit the streets of Vladivostok to find out how people feel about the new rates. Many believe the increased parking fees have put a significant strain on their wallets, and some even find it unfair. They argue that parking fees have escalated while wages have remained unchanged.

As for the impact on the city's budget, paid parking serves as a relatively small source of income. According to Vladivostok City Administration's Resolution No. 787 of 09.03.2021, 15% of the income from the use of the paid parking management service in Vladivostok should be paid into the budget. However, the city administration has only revealed that funds from unpaid parking fees on public parking lots are deposited into the budget.

As of June 1, 2025, approximately 177.9 million rubles have been deposited into the city budget since the launch of the system in November 2022. PrimaMedia news agency is still awaiting clarification on the funds received by the budget under the concession agreement.

Every cloud has a silver lining, right? The introduction of paid parking systems has undoubtedly proven successful in cities like Moscow, providing both increased revenue and improved traffic conditions. However, scaling this model to other regions like Vladivostok faces various challenges, not just budgetary differences. For instance, Moscow's success is aided by a well-organized public transportation system, offering both penalties and incentives.

Evgeny Kholodov, the first deputy head of the Mayor and Government of Moscow's apparatus, and chairman of the Moscow Tourism Committee, recently praised Vladivostok’s paid parking services. He emphasized Moscow's institutional, state-led approach and highlighted the inevitability of punishment, with violators paying fines 99.9% of the time. However, another essential principle in Moscow is user convenience and leniency, such as offering violators a day to pay for parking to avoid fines, which is unfortunately not available in Vladivostok. The city still follows the incorruptible principle of punishment and shares the pricing strategy of the more prosperous capital.

In summary, the parking rate hike in Vladivostok has been justified by the city administration, aiming to improve traffic conditions by reducing congestion. Despite the benefits, local residents are expressing concerns about the mounting financial burden. The impact on the city budget remains unclear, and the city administration continues to collect data on the subject.

The city administration has considered factors like average per capita income in the Primorsky Krai and the current fare for public transport while determining the new tariff for paid parking in Vladivostok, which is part of the city's business approach and finance management.
The administration only revealed that funds from unpaid parking fees on public parking lots are deposited into the city budget, but it's crucial for transparency in city business and finance to clarify the funds received by the budget under the concession agreement for a comprehensive understanding of the impact on the city's finances.