Helsinki to impose payment on 1,400 free parking spaces

A total of 1,400 previously free-of-charge but time-limited parking spaces in the inner city of Helsinki will turned into paid parking spaces during this year, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Tuesday.

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 about 280 parking spaces, in the vicinity of Laakso Hospital to about 100 parking spaces, in the Kalasatama and Tukkutori areas to about 300 parking spaces and in Hernesaari to about 175 parking spaces.

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, said the city.

“When the parking spaces are subject to a charge their availability improves, as they are no-longer used for long-term parking,” said Traffic Engineer Elina Rundell of the Urban Environment Division.

All spaces to be turned into paid parking spaces are shown on the map.